The Savoie region is an Alpine region in Eastern France neighboring Switzerland with many of its vineyards lying close to the Rhone River as it winds its way from Geneva southward. 1,725 hectares are under vine in the Savoie, two-thirds of which are white, but very little of its wines are found outside of the region as they are mostly consumed locally.
There are 17 crus entitled to append their names to the Vin de Savoie appellation, of which Abymes is one. The appellation controllée abymes comes from the French word “abimé” which means broken and refers to the broken stones in the avalanches from the mountains (Alps). Varieties are largely indigenous; the most widely planted white is Jacquère, the variety planted at Domaine Labbé.
The Abymes is a racy, minerally, fresh and citrusy wine. Its mineral characteristics remind us of Muscadet and its slightly rounder mouthfeel reminds us of Sancerre. It is awesome with Bonne Bouche (aged goats milk cheese from Vermont Butter + Cheese) because all that citrus character cuts through the fatty tart milk.
Vin de Savoie Abymes $13 a bottle
