AOC Roussette de Savoie

The AOP Roussette de Savoie is one of the most emblematic and distinctive expressions of the Savoyard vineyard. Long unknown beyond its territory of origin, this appellation today reveals all the nobility of a unique grape variety, Altesse, and the capacity of Alpine terroirs to produce white wines of great finesse, at once taut, complex and deeply marked by their origin. The AOP Roussette de Savoie is part of an ancient winegrowing tradition, while embodying the qualitative and environmental revival of contemporary Savoie viticulture.

Vine-growing in Savoie dates back to Roman times, but it was in the Middle Ages that Roussette de Savoie acquired its notoriety, thanks in particular to trade between the Alpine duchies and major European cities. The Altesse grape variety, the exclusive heart of AOP Roussette de Savoie, is said to have been introduced to Savoy in the XVᵉ century. It quickly established itself as one of the region's highest-quality white grape varieties, appreciated for its ability to accurately translate the nuances of mountain terroirs.

The AOP Roussette de Savoie is made exclusively from the Altesse grape variety, locally known as Roussette. This late-ripening grape variety, demanding and sensitive to climatic conditions, finds an ideal environment in Savoie. Altesse stands out for its ability to retain high natural acidity while developing great aromatic richness, making it a grape particularly suited to gourmet wines and ageing.

The AOP Roussette de Savoie vineyard extends over several sectors spread between the departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie. The vines are planted on steep slopes, often terraced, at altitudes ranging from 250 to over 500 meters. These sloping locations favor excellent soil drainage and optimal exposure to the sun, while benefiting from the coolness associated with altitude.

The soils of AOP Roussette de Savoie are mostly derived from limestone, marl-limestone and morainic formations. These soils, inherited from Alpine glacial activity, give the wines a marked minerality and elegant structure. Geological diversity enables winemakers to produce cuvées with varied profiles, ranging from straightforward, taut wines to fuller, more complex expressions.

The climate of the AOP Roussette de Savoie is continental-mountain, with marked Alpine influences. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers remain moderately hot. The wide temperature amplitudes between day and night play a fundamental role in the slow, gradual ripening of Altesse, favoring the development of fine aromas and the preservation of freshness.

Some communes benefit from the "cru" designation within the AOP Roussette de Savoie, including Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod and Monthoux. These crus highlight particularly qualitative terroirs, capable of producing wines of great depth and remarkable ageing capacity. Roussettes from these crus develop, over time, complex aromas of ripe fruit, honey, dried flowers, almond and slightly spicy notes.

The wines of the AOP Roussette de Savoie are distinguished by their generally pale yellow color with golden highlights. On the nose, they offer a refined aromatic palette, blending white flowers, pear, apple, quince, citrus and sometimes notes of dried fruit or honey with evolution. On the palate, Roussette de Savoie is characterized by a clean attack, fine tension and balanced structure, supported by a persistent, often mineral finish.

Organic viticulture is playing an increasingly important role in the AOP Roussette de Savoie. Faced with climatic constraints and the fragility of Alpine ecosystems, many estates have chosen to commit to environmentally-friendly practices. Working the soil, limiting yields, abandoning the use of synthetic herbicides and pesticides, and promoting biodiversity have become major areas of quality development for the appellation. Some farms go even further by adopting biodynamic principles, to enhance the expression of terroir.

In the cellar, vinification focuses on precision and aromatic purity. Fermentations are generally carried out at low temperatures to preserve the finesse of the fruit, and maturation can take place in vats, foudres or barrels, depending on the style sought. The use of wood remains measured, aiming to accompany the wine without masking the identity of the Altesse grape or the typicity of the terroir.

Food and wine pairings with AOP Roussette de Savoie emphasize its gastronomic character. Its freshness and complexity make it a natural partner for lake fish, shellfish, white meats and vegetable-based dishes. It is also an elegant accompaniment to Savoyard cheeses, particularly when they are only lightly matured, as well as certain revisited regional specialties.

The AOP Roussette de Savoie today embodies the excellence of Alpine white wines. Through the Altesse grape variety, it reveals wines that are precise, elegant and deeply rooted in their mountain environment. Driven by a new generation of committed winemakers, many of them organic, Roussette de Savoie is asserting itself as an appellation of character, capable of competing with the greatest white terroir wines, while retaining a strong, singular identity.