The vine has a long history in the Alps  

 

As evidenced by the fossilized grape seeds found in archaeological excavations in the lake sites dating from the Neolithic.

 

The oldest winemaking testimony on this side of the Alps are after the Roman conquest, and especially further south. Strabo praises the qualities of the Allobroges which, he explained, "are turning to agriculture application that they had given, until then, the things of the war. ".

 

In the course of the first century, the Celts had selected a new variety, allobrogica vitis, able to withstand the alpine climate. Its wine made ​​history at the time of Augustus and called his Columelle vinum qualifier picatum, that is to say, waxed wine.

 

Probably result of its passage in barrels with staves fir or mélèze. Pline the Elder describes its vintages, the Sotanum the Taburnum and ellicum.

 

In 1816, André Jullien, during his stay in Savoy to write his Topography of all known vineyards, says: 

"The variety of exhibits, different species of grapes that are combined in the same vineyard, and especially proud vines that are found in many cantons, cause great dissimilarities in product quality. and while some vineyards give strong wines, many others produce only very low quality. "

 

Always in the middle of the nineteenth century, but in Haute-Savoie this time, the town of Evian had 70 hectares and 455 hectares of vineyards canton.

 

They had impressed Dr Jules Guyot, who tasted the 1868 and commented:

"The wines butts Evian are white, they are also lighter and healthier than pleasant ... The people much prefer their wines to their waters that are yet more attractive. "

 

The wines of Seyssel (Seyssel common (Ain), Seyssel (Haute-Savoie) and Corbonod) and Crépy (Ballaison, Douvaine and Loisin) are distinguished in 1942 for that of Seyssel (Decree of 11 February 1942) and 1948 for the Crépy (Decree of 29 April 1948). In 1957, the Savoie wines get recognition as VDQS and in 1973 they are classified AOC (decrees of 4 September 1973 and 21 April 1989).

The vineyards of Savoie

 

Is a French wine region. In 2012, the Savoie vineyards extended over about 2200 hectares (1880 acres Savoie, Isère 169 hectares, 142 hectares Haute-Savoie, Ain 79 hectares). 16 million bottles were sold that year for a turnover of 52 million euros.

 

The designations - 3 AOC 

 

1. AOC wines of Savoy or Savoie (white, red, rosé, traditional method)

Over 10 varieties. If necessary can be supplemented by a geographical name:

 

White:  Abymes (80% Min varietal Jacquère); Apremont (idem); Chignin (idem);  Chautagne (idem); Cruet (idem); 

 Jongieux (idem); Montmélian (idem); 

 St. jeoire priory (idem);  Crépy (80% Chasselas grape mini);  Marin (idem); Marignan (idem); Ripaille (idem);  Chignin-Bergeron (Roussanne grapes only); Ayse (grape Gringet). 

 

Red: Arbin grape (Mondeuse only); St-Jean-de-la-door (idem); 

 Chautagne (all possible varieties); 

 Chignin (idem); Jongieux (ditto).

 

Rose: No geographical name. All varieties. In traditional method: L'Ayse (grapes Gringet et Roussette d'Ayse).

 

2. AOC Roussette of Savoie (only in white, varietal Highness) If necessary can be supplemented by a geographical name: Frangy; Marestel; Monthoux; 

 Monterminod.

 

3. AOC Seyssel (white and traditional method) White 100% varietal Highness 

 In traditional method: grapes and wheel assembly Highness.

 

Grape varieties

 

White varieties:

Chardonnay, Chasselas (crépy marine feast, marignan) The jacquère (traditional variety of Savoy, the most common), the white dial (seyssel) The Roussanne or Bergeron (chignin) The highness or dogfish.

 

Black Grapes:

Gamay (most common), The mondeuse (traditional variety of Savoy), related to the Syrah, Persian (ancient variety, grown again by some winemakers), Pinot Noir.