Bugey
ビュジェ
Alpine foothill gem famed for sweet pink Cerdon bubbles
About Bugey
Bugey is a small mountain wine region in the Ain department of eastern France, set on the southern foothills of the Jura between the Jura and Savoie vineyards and northeast of Lyon. Around 500 hectares of vines grow on steep limestone and glacial-moraine slopes under a semi-continental, mountain-influenced climate. Promoted from VDQS (1958) to AOC in 2009, it has two appellations: AOC Bugey, which includes the geographical designations Cerdon, Montagnieu and Manicle, and AOC Roussette du Bugey, made from Altesse (with the crus Montagnieu and Virieu-le-Grand). Its signature wine is Bugey-Cerdon, France's only AOC rosé made by the méthode ancestrale: a light (7-8.5% ABV), off-dry, gently sparkling pink wine from Gamay and Poulsard. Montagnieu is known for traditional-method sparkling wines and Mondeuse reds, Manicle for Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Other grapes include Jacquère and Molette. The region is also the homeland of the gastronome Brillat-Savarin, born in Belley.
Best for
Curious drinkers who love light, fruity sparkling wines, low-alcohol options, and discovering under-the-radar French mountain wines like Mondeuse and Altesse.
Food Pairings
Cerdon is a classic with fruit tarts, pralines and red-berry desserts, and also with charcuterie and spicy dishes. Roussette du Bugey and Manicle Chardonnay suit freshwater fish, quenelles, chicken in cream sauce (Bresse poultry) and mountain cheeses such as Comté and Beaufort. Mondeuse reds pair with game, sausages and gratins.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Bugey best known for?
- Bugey is best known for Bugey-Cerdon, a light, off-dry, gently sparkling rosé from Gamay and Poulsard. It is the only AOC rosé in France made by the méthode ancestrale.
- How is Bugey-Cerdon made?
- Cerdon is made by the méthode ancestrale: the juice is bottled before fermentation finishes, so the remaining natural sugar creates the bubbles in bottle. No sugar or yeast is added, leaving about 7-8.5% alcohol and natural sweetness.
- Is Bugey part of Savoie or Jura?
- Neither. Bugey is its own region in the Ain department, located between Jura and Savoie. It shares mountain grapes such as Mondeuse, Altesse and Jacquère with Savoie and Poulsard with Jura.
- What are the appellations of Bugey?
- Bugey has two AOCs since 2009: AOC Bugey, with the geographical designations Cerdon, Montagnieu and Manicle, and AOC Roussette du Bugey, made from Altesse, with the crus Montagnieu and Virieu-le-Grand.
- What grapes are grown in Bugey?
- Main whites are Chardonnay, Altesse, Jacquère and Molette; main reds are Gamay, Pinot Noir, Mondeuse and Poulsard.