Savoie Flashcards
Where is Savoy in France
eastern French alpine region on the border with both Switzerland and Italy, sometimes Anglicized to Savoy,
What was the Govenment policy for Savoy in 1960s
two weeks of vacation between the months of January and March.
->give the Alpine regions a solid six weeks of visitors
Who or what was Duchy of Savoy?
From 1416 to 1792
Independent region
Reached From Lyon to Nice, Switzerland to Milan
Controlled all the Alpine passes between Switzerland, Italy and France
Annexed by France in 1792
What was the “Savoyard Pompeii”
In 1248, after heavy and prolonged rains, a mass of limestone sheared away from Mont Granier and initiated a rockfall and mudslide that completely obliterated five villages at its base. The destruction spanned 25 km² and is very much akin to a Savoyard Pompei, except there were no remains-just rubble. The land did not begin to be cleared and replanted to the vine until the 1700s.
This landslide was given a name: Abymes de Myans. (Abymes translates as “abyss.”) Part of Apremont’s and all of Abymes’ vineyards are planted atop the Mont Granier landslide.
Identify the two villages growing grapes atop the Granier Landslide
Apremont
Abymes
What is the wild vine variety that is thought be a forerunner of Mondeuse
Vitis Allobrogica
In ancient times, the Allobroges
tribe occupied Savoie and tended a native Vine that was resistant to cold. The Romans named this vine Vitis Allobrogica–a vine that experts now believe to the forerunner of Mondeuse.
What is the role of the Centre d’Ampélographie Alpine Pierre Galet
Since 2007, the Centre d’Ampélographie Alpine Pierre Galet (C.A.A.P.G.) has been working to preserve Savoie’s viticultural heritage. The CAAPG not only propagates rare and obscure Alpine grapes, it successfully lobbies to get them listed on the French register of grape varieties
What is Savoie’s unique and on-going contribution to French viticulture
Savoie’s grapevine nurseries
What are the three factors that led to the rebirth of Savoie’s wine industry
Interest in native varieties (CAAPG) and lighter wines
Winter tourism
New tractors/tools
Which are the important river valleys in the Savoie region
Dranse, Arve, Usses, Isère, Ain and Rhône
Which is Savoie’ major lake
Lake Geneva (Lac Leman)
What is the general climate of Savoie and the factors responsible for its many meso-climates
continental with alpine influences
Long periods of rain are common in summer
cool air descending from mountain peaks creates substantial diurnal temperature swings.
Topographical features such as mountains, valleys and lakes, as well as various vineyard aspects, contribute to a wide range of mesoclimates.
What are geologic factors that influence the Savoyard topography
The glaciers of the last lce Age shaped large valleys
What are the main soils of Savoie
Vineyard soils are largely clay, limestone and limestone-rich scree; however, alluvium and molasse are present also.
List the most important grape varieties of Savoie
Jacquère
Altesse
Chasselas
Roussanne
Molette
Ginget
Chardonnay
Mondeuse Noir
Persan
Gamay
Pinot Noir
What is the Savoie’s dominant pruning system and training system
On steep slopes, vines are trained on a single stake known as échalas.
Echalas-training is particularly common for Mondeuse, but is also used for Roussanne and Altesse.
On less steep slopes, more modern training methods are used including some that even allow for mechanization. The most common training method is single Guyot.
What are the three AOCs of Savoie, the grapes they utilize, and the styles of wine produced
Savoie AOC- largest - different styles/grapes
Roussette de Savoie A0C.- dry white from Altesse
Seyssel AOC-dry and sparkling white from Altesse, Molette and Chasselas.
Identify the three wine regions that border Bugey
Bourgogne, Savoie and Jura
Which grape accounts for 50% of plantings
Jacquere
Which is more planted - Gamay or Mondeuse
Equal = both at 13.6%
How much Altesse is planted
around 9%
Which river flows south along the Western border of Savoie?
Saône
L’Isère
Rhône
Léman
Rhone
What additional influences are there on the continental climate of Savoie?
Maritime
Mediterranean
Alpine
Mistral wind
Alpine
In which year was the Mont Granier landslide?
1024
1248
1428
1824
1248
Who was the French head of state when Savoie finally became a part of France?
Napoléon I
Robespierre
Louis XVI
Louis Philippe I
Napoléon III
Napoléon III
What is the traditional vine training system for Savoy slopes
Echala
Single stake - used because of steepness
Mondeuse (but also Roussane and Altesse)
Describe vineyard soils in Savoy
Largely clay and limestone with a limestone rich scree
Alluvium and molasse are also present
Savoy wines are overwhelmingly red - True or False
False = 70% white
Generally, what are the soils of Savoie?
Volcanic
Clay and Limestone
Granite
Schist
Clay and Limestone
Which Savoie grape varieties commonly use échalas for vine training? Select all that apply.
Mondeuse Noire
Chasselas
Gringet
Roussanne
Altesse
Persan
Mondeuse Noire, Altesse and Roussanne
…because of steep hillsides
..best for vines with a sprawling habit
If you found a bottle of Vin de Savoie Mondeuse - what % of Mondeuse would you expect
100%
Is Cremant de Savoie a separate AOC
No
It is a style within Vin de Savoie
What are the blending rules for a Cremant de Savoie
Greater than 40% Jacquere
Greater than 60% Jacquere and Altesse
Can include up to 20% principal reds vinified as white
Methode traditionelle
Min 9/12 lees aging
How many DGCs in Savoie AOC
16
Traditionally referred to as Crus
What might you find in a bottle of Rousette de Savoie - Frangy
Dry white wine from Altesse
From one of the 4 DGCs - Frangy, Marestel, Monthoux or Monterminod
Sessel AOC is north of Aix les Bains. It is best known for which types of wine
Still wines from Altesse and sparkling whites from Molette (min 75%)
Some Chasselas
Which wine region sits directly to the west of Savoie?
Beaujolais
Bourgogne
Bugey
Jura
Bugey
Savoie AOC has the largest production in Savoie. What do Roussette de Savoie and Seyssel AOCs combined make
16%
What is the primary grape of sparkling Seyssel?
Altesse
Chasselas
Molette
Gringet
Molette
Which grape variety is used to make Roussette de Savoie?
Roussette
Gringet
Altesse
Roussanne
Jacquère
Altesse
Where is Bugey AOC
Due west of Lac de Bourget
The other side of the Rhone
What are the need to know AOCs of Bugey
None
May need to know there are 2 - Bugey AOC and Roussette de Bugey AOC
Which wine region is immediately to the east of Bugey?
Jura
Beaujolais
Savoie
Alsace
Savoie
Which grape variety is used to make Roussette de Bugey?
Roussette
Gringet
Altesse
Roussanne
Jacquère
Altesse
Savoie has more than 20 authorised grape varities for its AOCs - Why does it have so many
Old indigenous (unique location)
On trading routes for new grapevines (Duchy of Savoie)
Ampelographer, Pierre Galet, promoted grapes
Which of these is the most planted variety in Savoie?
Altesse
Chasselas
Jacquère
Roussanne
Jacquere=50%
then Mondeuse and Gamay
Savoie produces more white wine than red.
True or False?
True - 70%
What did Pierre Galet do?
- Changed the school year to allow for two weeks of vacation so that winter sports could thrive
- Evaluated grapevines to assist in identifying many varieties, in the days before genetic analysis
- Pioneered organic winemaking in Savoie
2
What is the more commonly used name for the Bergeron grape?
Persan
Roussanne
Altesse
Mondeuse
Roussanne
Roussette de Savoie AOC is made solely from which grape?
Roussanne
Altesse
Jacquère
Gamay
Altesse
Each Savoie cru has its own AOC.
True or False?
False
The Crus are part of the Savoie AOC or Roussette de Savoie AOC and are officially referred to as dénominations géographiques complémentaires – or DGCs.
What is the most planted red grape in Savoie?
Gamay
Mondeuse
Pinot Noir
Persan
Mondeuse
Nursery vineyards are very important in Savoie. What percentage of France’s grafted grapevines are produced in Savoie’s nurseries?
5%
10%
15%
20%
20%
approx 30 million a year
What factors affect Savoie’s overall climate? Select all that apply.
Alpine influences
Cool daytime temperatures
Marginal sunshine hours
Long periods of rain in summer
Wet harvest
Alpine influences and long periods of rain in the summer
Which river does not affect Savoie?
Dranse
Arve
Saône
Isère
Ain
Rhône
Saone
What are the primary grape varieties used to make Crémant de Savoie? Select all that apply
Jacquère
Chasselas
Altesse
Molette
Mondeuse
Jacquere and Altesse
If a Vin de Savoie is varietally labeled, what percentage of the grape variety stated on the label must it contain?
75%
85%
95%
100%
100%
Which Savoie red grape almost died out — but is now enjoying a renaissance?
Mondeuse
Persan
Gringet
Douce Noire
Persan
Vineyards in Savoie are often located above 1,640 ft/500 m.
True or False
False
What is the principal method for vine training in Savoie?
Échalas
Cordon
Guyot
Éventail
Single Guyot
Traditional method for slopes is Echalas
What are the effects of climate change in Savoie? Select all that apply.
Earlier budbreak
Decreased risk of frost
Harder for red grapes to ripen
Grapes for crémant may run the risk of becoming too ripe
Earlier budbreak
Grapes for crémant may run the risk of becoming too ripe
Which statement about the devastation of Mount Granier is incorrect?
The destruction spanned 9.65 square miles/25 square kilometres.
The event happened on November 24, 1428
There were no remains — just rubble.
Abymes’ vineyards are planted atop the Mont Granier landslide.
The event happened on November 24, 1428
The actual date was 24 November 1248
Wines labeled as Seyssel AOC wines must be made 100% from which grape variety?
Molette
Roussanne
Bergeron
Altesse
Altesse
If the wine is made from 100% Molette, it must be labelled Seyssel Molette.
Wine production in Savoie reached its peak in the 19th century and most of it was red. True or False?
True
False
True
What is the climate of Savoie?
Continental with Alpine influences
Savoie is to the south of which important lake?
Lake Geneva (Leman)
Which two vine growing areas are planted on the rubble from the Mount Granier landslide?
Abymes and Apremont
What does the Centre d’Ampélographie Alpine Pierre Galet do?
Research and promote local obscure grape varieties
Savoie’s vineyards are planted on glacial moraines. True or False?
True
Crémant de Savoie is its own appellation.
True or False?
False
Savoie’s wine industry was resuscitated in the 1960s and 1970s by winter tourists who came to ski.
True or False?
True
What is the primary grape of Roussette de Savoie AOC?
Altesse
What is Savoie’s most widely planted grape variety?
Jacquere
What styles of wine are made in the Savoie/Vin de Savoie AOC?
Many!
White, red, rose
Still and Sparkling
What is the principal grape used in Crémant de Savoie?
Jacquere
What is a synonym for Roussane in Savoie?
Bergeron
What are the Dranse, Arve, Isère, Usses and Ain?
Rivers through Savoie
What is the primary grape variety used to make still Seyssel AOC wine?
Altesse
What is the primary grape variety used to make sparkling Seyssel AOC wine?
Molette
The Savoie region is an important source for what plant material used throughout France?
Grafted grapevines
What are the two most important red grapes of Savoie?
Mondeuse Noire and Gamay
What is “échalas”?
Vine training system for slopes with single post
What are the principal vine threats
Frosts
Unpredicatble weather
Grapes for Cremant may become too ripe
How much of Savoie production is exported
5%
Who was Pierre Galet
1921-2019
Renowned French ampelographer who identified many varieties before genetic analysis was available
