Blanc de Morgex - highest white wine in Europe

The Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle DOC produces white wine from Prié Blanc at 900-1200m - the highest in Europe. Pre-phylloxera vines grow ungrafted on their own roots because the pest cannot survive at this altitude.

What to do there

3 things to do

1. 1 Visit Cave Mont Blanc Cooperative Wine · Price: low

   Book a tasting tour (€15-25) at Cave Mont Blanc de Morgex, the main cooperative representing 70 mountain winegrowing families in Morgex village (10 min from Courmayeur). You'll taste Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle DOC from Europe's highest vineyards (900-1,200m). Ask about the ungrafted vines - phylloxera never reached this altitude, so some vines are 100+ years old on original roots. Call ahead (+39 0165 809008) or book via caveduvinblanc.com. Ask to taste the Prié Blanc still wine AND the Metodo Classico sparkling (exceptional value vs Champagne).

   Backup: If Cave Mont Blanc is fully booked, try Ermes Pavese (family domaine) nearby in La Salle.

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2. 2 Taste Glacier-Aged Sparkling Wine Wine · Price: high

   This wine was helicoptered to Rifugio Franco Monzino at 2,590m, where mountain guides carried yeast up on foot. Bottles aged 18 months in the glacier zone at -20°C at Cave Mont Blanc - ask specifically about Cuvée des Guides sparkling wine. This is the highest wine cellar in Europe. The 'glacier bubbles' literally taste like altitude - unique yeast behavior, low oxygen, high UV. Ask: 'Do you have the glacier-aged sparkling available?' Limited production means it sells out. Expect €30-50/bottle.

   Backup: If Cuvée des Guides is unavailable, the standard Metodo Classico sparkling (€18-25) is still exceptional.

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3. 3 Walk Through Europe's Highest Vineyard Adventure · Free

   Walk through the terraced vineyards with Mont Blanc (4,808m) towering above - these vineyards surround Morgex and La Salle villages at 900-1,200m altitude as Europe's highest vineyards. The vines look stressed - gnarled, ancient, clinging to steep slopes. That stress creates the concentrated minerality you taste. Ask at the winery which vineyard path to take. Best in summer (July-Sept) to see grapes on vines. In winter, vines are dormant but the Mont Blanc backdrop is equally dramatic.

   Backup: If weather is bad, skip the walk and do an extended tasting inside - the cooperative has an excellent education program about altitude viticulture.

   Log Memory

Insider tips

• Cave Mont Blanc is the essential producer - book their high-altitude vineyard tour

• The sparkling Metodo Classico version is exceptional value vs Champagne

• Visit in summer and hike through the vineyards with Mont Blanc towering above