Isere is an IGP for wines made in the mountainous department of the same name on the eastern border of France. While there are no AOC-level vineyards in the department itself, Isere is sandwiched between two well-known regions: the alpine vineyards of Savoie are in the north and the sun-baked slopes of the Rhone Valley lie to the south.
The department covers the westernmost foothills of the Alps, from heights reaching up to 13,000ft (4000m) above sea level down to the plains surrounding the Rhone river, which demarcates the westernmost border. The climate here is broadly continental, with a distinct alpine coolness, although significant variations in topography have contributed various mesoclimates, some suitable for winegrowing.
© Wikimedia/M. Klüber Fotographie
Isere's position on the western edge of the Alps means that it feels high levels of precipitation throughout the year, mainly in the form of rain or snow. To negate the effects of this, many vineyards are planted on south-facing slopes, where water runs freely away from the vines, ensuring the roots are not waterlogged. These slopes also maximise sunlight exposure during the growing season, ensuring grapes have a chance to ripen suffiently in the cold alpine air.
Only a small area of Isere is planted to vines, notably on the department's northern border with Savoie where the Vin de Savoie Abymes cru covers a tiny amount of land over the border. However, what is produced is of high-enough quality to warrant a separate title for winemakers who aim higher than Vin de France.
The grape varieties most likely to be used in Isere IGP wines are Gamay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc for reds and rosés, and Chardonnay, Chasselas, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier for white. Two geographical indicators may be appended to the labels of Isere IGP wines: those being Balmes Dauphinoises and Coteaux du Gresivaudan.
Wines made under the Isere IGP denomination were previously labeled as Vin de Pays d'Isere. However, a change in French wine law since 2009 has seen the Vin de Pays category eliminated, to be replaced with Indication Géographique Protégée (IGP). This is more closely aligned with the Protected Geographical Indication category of the European Union.
