Savoie is a wine region in eastern France, in the mountainous areas just South of Lake Geneva and on the border with Switzerland. The location and geography of the region has very much defined its Character, which is fragmented, hilly and slightly Swiss. This is evident in the fresh, crisp white wines produced here, as well as in the labels of the region's wines. Many bear a white cross on a red background - the flag of Switzerland and Savoy.
About three quarters of the region's wines are white. This is mainly because most of the red Grapes would have difficulty maturing properly in the cooler Climate of Savoy. Jacquère is the most widely planted white grape, due to its high yield. Altesse, traditionally known here as Roussette, is used to produce some of the finest wines in Savoie, including its own appellations of Roussette de Savoie and Roussette de Bugey.
The white Chardonnay is a grape variety that originated in France (Burgundy). It produces a variety of grape specially used for wine making. It is rare to find this grape to eat on our tables. This variety of grape is characterized by small bunches, and small grapes. White Chardonnay can be found in many vineyards: South West, Burgundy, Jura, Languedoc & Roussillon, Cognac, Bordeaux, Beaujolais, Savoie & Bugey, Loire Valley, Champagne, Rhone Valley, Armagnac, Lorraine, Alsace, Provence & Corsica.
