Traditional Savoyard fondue with local Apremont

How to Complete

4 steps curated by Wine Memories

1. 📜 1

   Stand on a Catastrophe That Killed Thousands

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   Before tasting anything, ask your host about November 1248. On one night, Mont Granier lost 900 meters of height. 500 million cubic meters of rock slid into the valley, destroying 7 villages and killing between 1,000 and 7,000 people - the records are unclear because so many died that no one was left to count. The debris covered 30 square kilometers. You're standing on it. The limestone that created perfect wine terroir was once the top of that mountain. Look up at Mont Granier's scarred face - the missing section is still visible 800 years later.

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2. 🍷 2

   Taste Wine From the 'Abymes' - The Abyss

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   At Domaine des Rocailles, ask for both Apremont AND Abymes wines side-by-side. 'Abymes' means 'abyss' or 'chasm' - the appellation is named for the catastrophe that created it. Both are made from Jacquère, but Apremont comes from steeper south-facing slopes while Abymes is from the chaotic 'mollards' (debris mounds). Taste for the mineral difference - the limestone gives razor-sharp acidity. Budget €8-15 per bottle. Ask which plot is closest to the original landslide debris field.

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3. 🍷 3

   Find the Vieilles Vignes That Survived Everything

   Optional

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   Request the Vieilles Vignes Jacquère specifically - dramatically more complex than the regular cuvée. After the 1248 disaster, these hillslopes were abandoned until the early 1300s. It took 50 years for anyone to dare farm here again. The old vines you're tasting have roots deep into the debris that traumatized an entire region. The porous limestone stores heat during the day and radiates it back at night - perfect for ripening Jacquère. Compare young-vine vs old-vine to understand what root depth adds.

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4. ⛰️ 4

   Buy Direct and Save 40%

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   Before leaving Domaine des Rocailles, stock up. The same bottles cost 30-40% more in Chambéry wine shops. Buy at least one Apremont and one Abymes to compare later with fondue - the crisp acidity cuts through melted cheese perfectly. Ask which vintage they recommend for drinking now vs aging. Jacquère doesn't typically age, but their Vieilles Vignes can develop for 5+ years. The domaine is at the foot of Mont Granier - take a photo looking up at the scar before you leave.

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