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5 Savoie wines to try on your ski holiday in La Plagne
Wine and skiing in La Plagne: the perfect Alpine pairing
It’s easy to think of a ski holiday as hot chocolate and vin chaud. But here in the French Alps, wine is part of the landscape. In Savoie, vineyards climb the sunny valley slopes below La Plagne, producing crisp whites and light reds shaped by altitude and pure mountain air.
I first discovered this world during a grape harvest in the Côte d’Aime, just beneath resort level. After a morning of picking Gamay grapes and tasting fermenting juice, I realised there’s a deeper story in every Savoie wine bottle.
I should probably say upfront: I’m not a wine expert or a sommelier. I just like what I like. My approach is simple: if it tastes good after a day on the slopes or with a plate of melted cheese, it’s a winner. So this guide isn’t about fancy tasting notes. It’s about discovering the wines that make a ski holiday in Savoie feel even more special.
I’m sharing five local wines to try during your ski holiday in La Plagne, PLUS a bonus one you don't want to miss! With pairing tips, buying advice, and a quick look at how French wine appellations actually work.
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French wine appellations explained
When you pick up a bottle of French wine, those cryptic letters after the name: AOC, IGP, Vin de France – tell you exactly how (and where) the wine was made. Understanding them makes you a smarter buyer.
- AOC / AOP – Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée / Protégée
This is the gold standard of French wine. It guarantees that the grapes were grown in a specific region, under strict rules about grape types, yields, and production methods. Wines labelled Vin de Savoie AOC, for example, must meet these protected-origin standards. - IGP – Indication Géographique Protégée
Still region-based, but with more flexibility. IGP wines are often from winemakers who like to experiment or revive forgotten terroirs. - Vin de France
The most relaxed category. Grapes can come from anywhere in the country, offering freedom for creative blends or modern styles.
So when you’re browsing wine in a supermarket or restaurant near La Plagne, those little letters can tell you a lot. Whether it’s a traditional, locally protected wine or a more modern, experimental bottle.
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1 Apremont – the classic fondue wine
If you’ve ever bought wine for fondue in the Alps, you’ve probably held a bottle of Apremont.
Made from the Jacquère grape and grown in the Combe de Savoie, this crisp white wine is light, floral, and delicately mineral. Locals swear by it for melting cheese! It’s what gives that perfect fondue tang, but it’s also delicious served chilled on its own after a day on the slopes.
- Where to buy: Widely available in supermarkets, cheese and resort shops across La Plagne.
- Pair with: Fondue, raclette, or grilled lake fish.
2 Gamay – the easy-drinking Alpine red
Gamay is one of Savoie’s most approachable reds. Fruity, fresh, and sometimes served slightly chilled. It’s a local favourite for long lunches and cosy chalet evenings.
The Gamay grown in the Tarentaise valley (including the Vignes de Tarentaise association near Aime) is extra special. These are small, community-run vineyards producing wine on a volunteer basis, often in tiny quantities. I helped harvest one of these batches last October, and the result will be bottled this coming spring. A bright, honest, handmade wine with real mountain character.
- Where to buy: Look for “Vin de Pays de Savoie” or “Vin de Tarentaise” labels in local shops.
- Pair with: Charcuterie, diots (local sausages), or a casual pizza night in your chalet.
3 Mondeuse – peppery, spicy & Savoyard
If you like your red wine with a bit more depth and spice, Mondeuse is your grape. Native to Savoie, it’s a dark, peppery wine that ages beautifully but still tastes lively when young.
It’s the kind of wine that makes you want to linger at the table a little longer. Rustic, warming, and proudly local. This is the bottle of local red that I’ll pick up to enjoy with friends.
- Where to buy: Found in many caves à vin (wine shops) in Aime or Bourg-Saint-Maurice, as well as around La Plagne. You’ll also see it listed on restaurant menus across the resort.
- Pair with: Tartiflette, duck confit, or anything rich and cheesy.
Sidebar: Les Vins de Vienne – a revival story to watch
A quick detour south to the neighbouring Rhône Valley. Why? Because the Real Fishwives of Paris podcast recently introduced me to the Vins de Vienne, and it’s too fascinating not to mention.
Les Vins de Vienne is a project by three Rhône winemakers: Yves Cuilleron, Pierre Gaillard, and François Villard, who’ve revived the ancient vineyards around Seyssuel, just north of Vienne. Their wines are currently labelled IGP Collines Rhodaniennes while they work toward gaining an official appellation.
They grow Syrah and Viognier on steep, south-facing slopes that mirror Côte-Rôtie, and they’re proving that forgotten wine regions can be reborn.
It’s a story that feels close to home here in Savoie: small producers protecting mountain terroirs and traditions that nearly disappeared.
Podcast shout-out: If you love niche French food stories from the history of baguettes to the politics of cheese, the Real Fishwives of Paris podcast is an absolute gem. Caroline, one of the hosts, is based in Lyon, so her food and wine insights are spot-on for anyone living or holidaying near La Plagne.
4 Roussette (Altesse) – crisp Alpine white
If Apremont is your everyday Alpine white, Roussette is its elegant cousin. Made from the Altesse grape, it’s floral, crisp, and just a touch honeyed. Perfect if you want something a little more refined.
- Where to buy: Look for bottles marked Roussette de Savoie AOC in local shops.
- Pair with: Trout, shellfish, or roast chicken.
5 Paché – the secret Tarentaise wine
This one’s a true insider secret. If you’re offered a bottle of this, you've truely achieved honourary local status! Paché isn’t a brand. It’s the nickname for the home-produced red wine made by families in the Tarentaise. It’s low in alcohol, bright in colour, and meant to be drunk young, usually around Easter.
You won’t find it on a menu or in a supermarket. It’s made quietly, in cellars and communal presses, by people who love keeping the old ways alive.
- Where to buy: (This one isn’t for sale.) But if you’re lucky enough to be invited into a local’s cave, say yes!
- Pair with: Cheese, charcuterie, or simply curiosity.
Bonus: Glacier Rosé – from Provence to the piste
You might think rosé is strictly for summer, but this one will change your mind.
Glacier Rosé was created for skiers, by skiers. Founded by Charlie Forbes, it was born quite literally on the slopes. Dreamed up during long, sunny alpine lunches where ski boots come off, sunglasses go on, and laughter flows freely.
Made in Provence (AOP Côtes de Provence) from a classic blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, and Rolle, it’s everything you want from a Provençal rosé: pale, crisp, and refreshingly dry. Think strawberries, citrus, and mountain air. Designed to be enjoyed chilled at altitude.
What makes Glacier Rosé fun is its spirit. It’s unapologetically social. The perfect après-ski bottle for a blue-sky lunch or that first drink on the terrace after a day on the slopes. You’ll find it popping up in bars, hotels, and chalets across the Alps, and it’s fast becoming the rosé of choice for mountain resorts.
- Where to try it: Ask for Glacier Rosé in alpine bars or chalets that stock Côtes de Provence wines.
- Style: Dry, elegant, aromatic (Grenache–Cinsault–Syrah–Rolle blend).
- Try it with: Apéro snacks, mountain platters, or simply sunshine and good company.
Where to taste & buy in La Plagne
- Caves à vin in Aime & Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Try Flocons & Flacons in Aime on the main road.
- Local restaurants: Ask for Savoie wines by name; many stock small producers if you show interest. Most menus will have a separate section for local or Savoyard wines.
- Markets: Look for local stalls selling bottles from Tarentaise or Combe de Savoie.
Just ask Jen: Skip the big-brand supermarket rosé. Instead, grab a local Apremont or Mondeuse and taste the Alps in your glass.
Where to drink Savoyard wine in La Plagne
If you'd like to explore more local Savoyard wines during your stay, these restaurants are a great place to start. Their wine lists usually include a good selection of regional favourites alongside French classics, and the staff are often happy to recommend a bottle to pair with your meal.
- Le Refuge – A cosy mountain restaurant with a traditional Savoyard menu and a thoughtfully curated wine list featuring local producers.
- Le Chairlift – Known for its modern alpine atmosphere and excellent food, it's also one of the better spots in La Plagne for discovering regional wines by the glass or bottle.
- L'Expédition – A stylish restaurant with a strong focus on quality ingredients and carefully selected wines, including several from the Savoie region.
- Joya – Perfect if you're looking for a more contemporary dining experience, with a wine menu that balances local Savoyard labels and well-known French vineyards.
If you're unsure what to choose, ask for a recommendation from the Savoie region. Local varieties such as Apremont, Altesse (Roussette) or Mondeuse pair beautifully with the mountain dishes you'll find across La Plagne.
Just ask Jen: from a mum in the mountains: Savoyard wines rarely make it onto supermarket shelves in the UK, so your ski holiday is the perfect excuse to try something new.
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My Restaurant Guide includes every restaurant in La Plagne organised by resort, budget, family suitability and cuisine. Plus where you'll find the best wine lists to pair with delicious menus.
Add a Savoyard bottle to your holiday memories
There’s so much more to a ski trip in La Plagne than skiing! It’s about flavour, delicious food and drinks. These wines carry the same spirit as the mountains themselves: bright, independent, and proudly local.
Next time you’re here, pick up a bottle of Savoie wine for your chalet, pair it with melted cheese, and raise a glass to the vines quietly growing below the pistes.
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