Montmelian is one of 16 named crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation, covering a small area of vineyard in the Savoie administrative department of eastern France. Savoie is viticulturally famous for the fresh, alpine quality of its wines, and Savoie Montmelian is no exception: the white wines produced here from the Jacquere grape variety are light and delicate with characters of lemon and wet stone.
Montmelian is a small village within the Combe de Savoie, a narrow valley that wraps around the southern end of the Bauges mountains. The vineyards climb up the south-facing slopes of the Roche du Guet, a ridge which towers 4000ft (1200m) over the village and the Isere river in the valley below. Montmelian is flanked by the villages of Chignin in the west and Arbin in the east, both of whom are recognized as crus of the Vin de Savoie appellation.
Like in many of the vineyards of the Combe de Savoie, Montmelian's vineyards sit predominantly on glacial scree soils with a heavy proportion of limestone. These thin soils are well-suited to viticulture, and when combined with the natural drainage afforded by the steep slopes, ensure that the vines do not become complacent in the region's relatively high rainfall. Instead, limited water in the soils lessens vigor and yield, making for more concentrated berries and consequently a more concentrated style of wine.
Savoie has a continental climate, although there are some oceanic influences from the Mediterranean and Atlantic, mostly in the form of high rainfall on the western edge of the Alps. In the vineyards of Montmelian, warm sunshine during the growing season is enhanced by the south-facing aspect of the vineyards. This sunshine aids ripening in the region's reasonably cool alpine climate, and grapes are able to achieve full phenolic ripeness while retaining their all-important acidity.
The Vin de Savoie appellation laws state that Savoie Montmelian wines must be made up of at least 80% of the Jacquere grape variety. However, as in the crus of Apremont, Cruet and Saint-Jeoire-Prieure, various other grape varieties are permitted to make up the remainder of the blend, including Aligote, Chardonnay and Altesse.
