Roussette de Savoie

🇫🇷 France

AOC Rare find

Pure Altesse whites from Savoie's best sites - the grape supposedly brought from Cyprus by a Crusader, creating France's most distinctive Alpine white.

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Region profile

History

Altesse grape legend claims it was brought from Cyprus by a Crusader - the name may derive from "royal highness." More likely indigenous to Savoie. AOC created 1973 alongside Vin de Savoie. The 4 permitted crus represent Altesse's best sites. "Roussette" refers to the russet-gold color of ripe grape skins.

Climate
Alpine continental; steep south-facing slopes; varied terroirs across 4 crus (Frangy, Marestel, Monthoux, Monterminod)
Signature wines
Domaine Dupasquier Roussette de Savoie Marestel - benchmark cru Roussette; Noël Dupasquier (retired 2016, now son David); honeyed, mineral, ages 10+ years. Price: $22-40.
What sets it apart
Crusader Cyprus legend; 100% Altesse varietal; 4 cru hierarchy; "Roussette" = russet grape color; ages beautifully unlike most Alpine whites

Facts

  • AOC 1973 (same year as Vin de Savoie)
  • Altesse grape legend: brought from Cyprus by Crusader
  • 4 crus permitted (Frangy, Marestel, Monthoux, Monterminod)
  • 100% varietal requirement
  • "Roussette" = "russet" referring to grape skin color

Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026