Apremont is one of the best-known crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation of the Alps in eastern France. Surrounding the tiny village of Apremont just south of the city of Chambery, it is one of the southernmost crus within the Savoie administrative department. Vin de Savoie Apremont wines are made predominantly from the local Jacquere grape variety and are typically light and dry with floral, mineral characters.
© Jean perrier et fils
The village of Apremont, along with its neighbor Abymes, has a rather grisly history that has given rise to the distinctive terroir of the area. A landslide from the Mont Granier mountain to the west swept through the villages in this part of Savoie in the mid-13th Century, killing thousands and leaving a three-mile-long trail of limestone rubble across the valley. While this land remained uncleared for centuries following the event, budding vignerons began to plant vines here in the 18th Century, ostensibly to honor the fallen villages. The name of the village (and cru) is a reference to this devastating landslide: apremont means 'bitter mountain' in French.
The limestone marl soils that were once a part of Mont Granier have proved well suited to viticulture. They are porous and free-draining, ensuring that the vines receive an optimum amount of hydration for viticulture: too much water will cause a vine to become complacent and produce poor-quality grapes and an excess of leafy vegetation. The limestone soils that characterize Apremont are also good at storing heat during the day, reflecting it back on the plants at night.
Savoie has a cool continental climate, and as such vignerons must carefully choose their vineyard sites to get the most out of their vines. Fortunately, Apremont's east-facing aspect has an excellent view of the rising sun, and vineyards benefit from gentle morning sunshine. This ensures a slow ripening process whereby the grapes are able to develop rich varietal character while still retaining acidity. This results in well-balanced wines with what is often described as a fresh, 'alpine' quality.
Wines made in Apremont are often varietal, but the AOC law states that a selection of other grape varieties (including Altesse, Chardonnay and Aligote) may make up to 20% of the final blend. Apremont, while not hugely well known in the context of French wines, is one of the few Savoie crus that is found in any quantity outside of eastern France.
