Arbin is one of the southernmost crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation of eastern France. Unusually for the Savoie wine region, the Vin de Savoie Arbin wines are exclusively red and generally rather full-bodied and spicy, made from the Mondeuse grape variety that is native to the region.
The cru is named for the small village of Arbin, which sits above the Isere river at the southern end of the Bauges mountains in the administrative department of Savoie. This narrow, curved valley is known as the Combe de Savoie and is home to around half of the crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation, many of which cover vineyards that reach up the sides of the mountains. Arbin, sandwiched between Montmelian and Cruet, is no exception: vineyards enjoy a steep, southeast-facing aspect that allows them to take advantage of the prevailing sunlight.
In fact the climate in Savoie, while alpine, is fairly sunny. The vines planted on these slopes benefit from all-day sunlight during the growing season that aids the development of phenolic ripeness in the grapes. High rainfall in the area is managed by the good natural drainage afforded by the slopes, and as a result the vines have to work hard for survival, leading them to prioritize the production of highly-concentrated berries over leafy foliage.
Like in many of the Combe de Savoie crus, the soils surrounding the village of Arbin are made up of clay and limestone overlaid with dark scree. These loose, free-draining soils have proved invaluable to the grapes grown in the area. The Mondeuse grape variety – the only variety permitted in Vin de Savoie Arbin wines – thrives on these dry, stressful soils, begetting intense wines with an excellent concentration of flavor.
Arbin is one of only two dedicated red wine crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation, the other being the nearby village of Saint-Jean-de-la-Porte. Traditionally, red wines made in these two villages have been light and fruity to reflect their alpine provenance. However, this is changing with current wine trends, and an increasing amount of Vin de Savoie Arbin wine is vinified in a richer, heavier style.
