Roussette de Savoie

The AOC-protected Roussette de Savoie vineyards cover around 1,300 hectares in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie départements. They produce almost 100,000 hectolitres a year, 80% of which is white wine. The Roussette de Savoie AOC was granted by decree in 1973. Four areas of the Roussette de Savoie appellation can claim a cru name: Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod and Monthoux.

Roussette de Savoie is a white wine made exclusively from the Roussette (or Altesse) grape variety. The origin of this variety can be traced back to the Crusader Count de Mareste, who brought it from Cyprus. Today, Roussette is a typical grape variety of the terroir, rich and aromatic, and is used to make the tender wines of Roussette de Savoie.

Among the producers of Roussette de Savoie, there are a number of houses that play a particularly important role in building the reputation of these wines. These include Domaine Louis Magnin and Domaine Dupasquier.

Roussette de Savoie is a fresh wine with subtle aromas of violets, reminiscent of hawthorn. But this exceptional wine also has nuances of honey, apricot and hazelnut. Rousette de Savoie has the maximum aromas of the grape. When young, Roussette de Savoie white wine is particularly exquisite.

After a few years' cellaring, this astonishingly high-quality wine goes well with a wide range of recipes. Gratin, tart, cheese, Savoyard fondue, tartiflette, shellfish, raw vegetables, salad... it also goes well with aperitifs or fish.

The Rousette de Savoie appellation is reserved for dry white wines. Rousette de Savoie Frangy is produced in the Usses valley in Haute-Savoie, with vines facing south or southeast. The white wine cru Maresel covers the communes of Jongieux and Lucey. The west-facing vines, at an altitude of 500 m, produce a wine with a dense, round mouthfeel. Its candied fruit and dried fruit notes are ideal with poached poularde in white sauce. Roussette de Savoie Monterminod is a tiny cru from Chambéry. The south-facing vines produce exceptional wines. Finally, Monthoux dry white wine is produced in the commune of Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu. The soils are stony and contain glacial deposits. Rousette de Savoie cru Monthoux offers aromas of wax, dried fruit and candied fruit. It is particularly appreciated with cheeses such as Comté.

Serve 10 cl of Rousette de Savoie in a Burgundy-style white wine glass. A temperature between 7°C and 10°C is ideal. For a dense wine with more body, the temperature should be between 10°C and 13°C. When tasting, pay close attention to the wine's evolution. Aeration in a carafe may be advisable. Oxygen that fades or breaks does not change the taste of the wine.

An ice bucket with two or three handfuls of ice cubes is ideal for cooling the bottle. Temperature control is carried out with a wine thermometer. This should be immersed in a glass filled to ⅓ full.

This floral wine should be kept in a wine cabinet for aging. The temperature should be between 12° and 14°C. For optimum preservation of Rousette de Savoie in a wine cellar, humidity should be between 70% and 75%. The temperature should be between 10°C and 13°C. The wine will keep for 3 to 10 years. The temperature must also be constant, as this can slow down the wine's evolution or cause premature ripening.

The Ambymes and Apremont crus can be kept longer than other "generic" dry white wines. Depending on the estate, ageing can be different.

The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Roussette de Savoie groups together dry white wines made from grapes known as Roussette or Altesse. This appellation covers around 50 hectares of vines and benefits from a temperate continental climate with mountain influences. These wines are highly appreciated for their ability to be drunk young or after several years of cellaring.

The AOC Roussette de Savoie was registered in 1973. Its single grape variety, Roussette (or Altesse), is said to have originated in Cyprus, and to have been brought back by the Count of Mareste during the Crusader era. This appellation is one of the most important in the Savoie sub-region. Savoie and Haute-Savoie produce 80% white wines.

Roussette de Savoie white wines are produced in the Savoie and Haute-Savoie departments. The vineyards stretch from the commune of Frangy, along the river Usses, through the communes of Monthoux, Monterminod and Marestel, on the shores of Lac du Bourget. The diversity of soils, from pebbly to sandy, and the mountain climate enable us to produce both Haute-Savoie and dry Savoie wines.

These are fine, subtle, light-colored wines. Tasting reveals aromas of fruit such as apricot, dried fruit such as hazelnut and wild flowers such as hawthorn. The palate is fresh and lively. Roussette de Savoie wines can be enjoyed young, and improve with age.

When enjoyed young, Roussette de Savoie white wine can be served as an aperitif. After a few years, it goes well with fish, white meat in sauce, and cheeses such as Comté and Beaufort. It also goes well with dishes from the Savoie and Haute-Savoie regions, such as tartiflette. We recommend serving this wine in a white wine glass at a temperature of between 7° and 10°.

AOC Roussette de Savoie producers

Among all the producers of Roussette de Savoie, some stand out for their know-how and offer top-quality dry white wines.