The Savoie region must be one of the most beautiful wine regions in France, and sadly often overlooked. Where else will you find snow capped mountains, rolling hills, wild streams and plentiful wildflowers surrounding your vineyards?
Andre & Michel Quenard farm 22 hectares of very steep, terraced vineyards around Chignin.…
Floral and citrus fruit notes and aromas, developing into a particularly floral palate.
Made from 100% Jacquère; a clean and fresh white grape variety grown in Savoie, France. The stoniness of the vineyards expresses an alpine freshness and lively minerality in the wines.
André and son Michel have been recognised for many years as pioneers of the Vin de Savoie appellation and sustainable farming technics as well as limited yields showcases wines of extreme purity.
Best enjoyed young or can be aged for up to 3 years.
Pairs well with asparagus or pan-seared scallops. Can also be enjoyed delightfully amongst friends as an aperitif.
Once the pride of Savoie, the Bergeron grape, known elsewhere as Roussanne, suffered a decline into obscurity after a phylloxera outbreak. But its story didn't end there. Revived in the 1970s by the passionate André Quenard, who saw its potential, Bergeron was nurtured back to prominence on the steep limestone slopes of Savoie. Here, the grape's full ripeness was achieved, allowing its unique qualities to shine. Les Roches Blanches, a medium-bodied white, encapsulates this remarkable revival. Unlike anything from its Rhône cousins, it offers a racy yet flavourful experience with notes of peaches, honey, and pine resin. Its cooler, alpine climate adds a refreshing twist, making it a must-try for those looking to explore a wine with a true comeback story.
"From a high-terraced slope above the Isère valley, Roussanne grown here gives a consistently fine, rich and complex wine. Honeyed and stony on the nose, it tastes unctuous, yet with balancing acidity and hints of apricot and saline character towards the finish. A lovely wine, which will develop more complexity with age." Wink Lorch, decanter.com, 94 pts
Even if the ski season has (more or less) finished, there’s no reason not to enjoy this fruity, gamey and vibrant wine all year round. Mondeuse is an indigenous grape that will remind you of other cool grape varieties such as Gamay, Zweigelt or Schiopettino. Perfect for spring, the wine shows delicate notes of forest fruits - such as wild strawberries and raspberries – along with a hint of forest floor, held together with beautiful earthiness.
Don’t hesitate to open it 30 minutes before pouring. You can serve it slightly chilled and it’ll go perfectly with a cheese and charcuterie style of dinner (or tartiflette, of course…).
For my top suggestion, though, I think this Mondeuse would be perfect with a traditional “pate en croute” or game pie. Quite an undertaking to make at home but if you fancy having a go, look at the recipe from Jason Atherton, who serves it one of his best restaurants with different types of mustard and pickle - and also with fresh pink radish. A great combination of richness in the pie and acidity in the pickles to balance with the wine…just delightful.
A wonderful, powerful and complete example of a Rousanne. This wine is a perfect accompaniment at every stage of a meal, from starter through to dessert. A great value wine to add to the collection!