Roussette de Savoie
ルーセット・ド・サヴォワ
Savoie's age-worthy white, made from 100% Altesse
About Roussette de Savoie
- Producers listed
- 2
Roussette de Savoie is a white-only AOC (granted 1973, after VDQS status from 1954) in the Savoie wine region of eastern France, made exclusively from the Altesse grape, locally called Roussette. Around 215 hectares spread over some 52 communes in Savoie, Haute-Savoie and Isère, on limestone scree, clay-marl and stony glacial moraine slopes below 500 m in the Alpine foothills. Altesse is low-yielding and difficult to grow, but on steep, well-exposed slopes it gives dry, textured whites with aromas of honey, almond, hazelnut, bergamot, white pear and violet, lifted by bright acidity and a subtle bitter finish. Four named crus may be added to the label: Frangy (Haute-Savoie, about 20 ha), Marestel (Jongieux, about 20 ha), Monterminod (about 2 ha) and Monthoux (under 2 ha). Unlike most Savoie whites, the best Roussettes, especially Marestel, gain honeyed complexity with several years in bottle.
Best for
Drinkers who like textured, mineral whites with more depth than typical alpine wines, and fans of Chenin Blanc or Northern Rhône whites looking for a rare, good-value alternative.
Food Pairings
A classic match for Savoyard dishes: cheese fondue, raclette, tartiflette and gratins with Beaufort or Comté. Also excellent with lake fish such as perch, char and trout in beurre blanc, poultry or veal in cream sauce, and sushi or grilled white fish.
Producers
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Château de Lucey
Château de Lucey, also trading as Domaine de Lucey, is a winegrowing estate at 290 route des Moulins in Lucey, Savoie. Erwan Buchwalter and Anne-Cécile Pflieger have run it since 2022. The vines are farmed organically, and the grapes are Altesse, Mondeuse and Pinot Noir. The wines are labeled Roussette de Savoie and Vin de Savoie, including the Chapitre cuvées.
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Vincent Courlet
Vincent Courlet, known as Maison Courlet, is a family estate at 550 route du Tram in Frangy, Haute-Savoie. It is known for Roussette de Savoie Cru Frangy from Altesse, and also makes Mondeuse and a traditional-method sparkling wine.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What grape is Roussette de Savoie made from?
- Roussette de Savoie is made exclusively from Altesse, a white grape that Savoyards call Roussette. No other variety is permitted, which makes the appellation the purest expression of Altesse in the world.
- What are Frangy, Marestel, Monterminod and Monthoux?
- They are the four named crus (dénominations géographiques complémentaires) that may follow 'Roussette de Savoie' on the label. Marestel and Frangy are the best known, at about 20 hectares each; Monterminod and Monthoux are tiny, at about 2 hectares or less.
- What does Roussette de Savoie taste like?
- It is a dry, textured white with aromas of honey, almond, hazelnut, bergamot, pear and violet, fresh acidity and a gentle bitter twist on the finish. It is fuller and more complex than Savoie's lighter Jacquère whites.
- Can Roussette de Savoie be aged?
- Yes. Roussette de Savoie is Savoie's most age-worthy white. Good examples, especially from Marestel, develop honeyed, nutty complexity over 5 to 10 years in bottle.
- What food goes best with Roussette de Savoie?
- Savoyard cheese dishes such as fondue, raclette and tartiflette are the classic match, along with lake fish like perch and trout, and poultry in cream sauce.