// Resident Wine Expert
Although white wines dominate in this area, these warm zones also allow red grapes to mature, the most famous being Mondeuse, a native grape variety usually aged in large wooden 'foudres'. Wines made here with Mondeuse have an almost ethereal perfume that is often associated with red wines made in colder climates. As in many French appellations, certain villages or 'crus' with distinct environments may add their names to the region's wines. For example Abymes, Apremon, Chignin and up to 14 others, of which Marestel is considered the best.
Mmmmmm, what to eat with these wines? It's no surprise that they fare extremely well with appetizers and light morsels, and if a cheese fondue is your thing following your calorie busting day of skiing, then many restaurants will push a bottle of Savoie your way, but these wines are also magnificent simply paired with some of the wonderful cheeses from this area, simply served on a platter with good bread and salty butter – absolute heaven. Try buttery Reblochon, semi-hard Tomme de Savoie and the wonderfully nutty Beaufort.
Now, this is your special Valentine trip and just because you are stranded, skis askew, bones and muscles aching at some station hut halfway up a mountain, feeling more Bridget Jones than Bridget Bardot… sorry, sorry, personal flashback… where was I…ahh yes, bubbles can be found here, as some of the Savoie's high acid fruit finds its way into sparkling wines. It's not Champagne, nor does it pretend to be or have delusions of grandeur, however it can be creamy and floral with an apple finish that can hit the right spot surprisingly well.
When you have finally had enough of the cold white stuff and have made your way down the slopes and skied directly into your chalet, whereupon a Heath Robinson style contraption will have disrobed you of what is essentially an oversized babygrow, and when you are snuggled in front of a roaring fire, then, if it were me, I would open a bottle of Chignin Bergeron Les Terrasses, produced by Andre and Michel Quenard from a single vineyard on a terraced slope high up in the mountain, near Chignin. Aged in old 'foudres', this wine is delicious – delicate tropical fruit with peach aromas and a clean mineral flavour and refreshing (not searing) acidity, which never interferes with the balance of the wine.
Not forgetting the red – a bottle or two of Maison Angelot Bugey Mondeuse would be perfect. The Bugey region is in the Ain department, just outside of the Savoie region, but grows many of the same grapes. This wine is of light acidity and body with a lovely cherry and leather nose and a meaty quality on the palate with a mineral finish… just perfect.
Obviously a visit to the Alps is not needed to express your undying and enduring love for the special person in your life. A little like wine, as long as the key elements are there, put together with thought and care, then the end result will always be enjoyable…
I wish you all a wonderful February. Sante 93
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