Vin de Savoie (often written simply as "Savoie") is the main appellation of the Savoie region in the far east of France. This mountainous region located west of the Alps has distinctive wine styles that are rarely seen outside their territory of origin. Most are Dry white wines made from the Altesse, Jacquère and Chasselas grapes. Savoy wines are often described as distinctly "alpine", citing their fresh, Mineral characteristics.
The AOC Vin de Savoie was created in 1973, along with the appellation Roussette de Savoie, which covers the region's Altesse grape wines. Wines labelled simply as Savoie or Vin de Savoie, without an associated cru name, can be white, red, rosé and even Sparkling. White wines are dominated by the most common grape variety in Savoie, Jacquere, but may also contain Chardonnay, Aligote, Mondeuse Blanche, Veltliner Rouge Precoce, Chasselas, Gringet and Altesse. To complicate matters, Marsanne and Verdesse are also allowed, but only in the administrative department of Isère.
However, this represents only a tiny fraction of the appellation's surface area.
Haute-Savoie finds in Mondeuse blanche one of the oldest grape varieties planted in its vineyards. It can be found throughout Savoie and Ain, although its cultivation is not very well developed. Barely 5 hectares of vineyards are planted with this variety. It is known by other names such as savouette, dongine, couilleri or aigre blanc. Mondeuse blanche can be recognized by the downy appearance of its young shoots bearing very tan leaves, reminiscent of spider webs. The leaf blade tends to lose its tan appearance as it ages, while the 5 lobes are clearly defined. Mondeuse blanche produces bunches of grapes that give a wine with good acidity and a long shelf life, which can be kept for up to thirty years. They appear compact, cylindrical and winged. The juicy, sweet and crunchy berries ripen in the second late season. The golden yellow or green skin is quite strong, covering an ovoid or spherical fruit of medium size.
white wines from the region of Vin de Savoie go well with generally quite well with dishes of pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc) or vegetarian such as recipes of cassoulet, salmon and goat cheese quiche or magic cake cheese quiche.
