Jean-Yves Péron La Petite Robe Rosé 2022

Jean-Yves Peron's La Petite Robe 2022 is a natural rosé wine crafted from Mondeuse grapes grown in the Savoie Alps at 480 meters elevation. The vineyard features steep schist and limestone soils where alpine conditions create intense diurnal temperature variations, preserving natural acidity and aromatics. Peron employs biodynamic viticulture and hand-harvests at perfect phenolic ripeness. The grapes undergo direct pressing with minimal skin contact to achieve the wine's delicate pink hue. Fermentation occurs spontaneously with wild yeasts in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging on fine lees for six months. No filtration or sulfur additions preserve the wine's natural character and authentic expression of high-altitude Savoie terroir.

The Savoie wine region, nestled in the French Alps near the borders of Switzerland and Italy, is one of France’s most distinctive and least commercialized viticultural areas. Characterized by its steep mountain vineyards and cool climate, Savoie produces wines that are fresh, mineral-driven, and deeply reflective of their alpine origins. The region’s unique combination of altitude, glacial soils, and temperature variation creates ideal conditions for crafting wines with precision and aromatic intensity.

Vineyards in Savoie are often planted on dramatic slopes between 250 and 500 meters above sea level, where they benefit from abundant sunlight and excellent drainage. The soils are varied, shaped by centuries of glacial activity and river movement. Limestone, marl, schist, and clay all contribute to the complexity and mineral tension found in the region’s wines. The climate is continental with alpine influences, meaning cold winters, warm summers, and significant day-to-night temperature swings that preserve acidity and freshness in the grapes.

Savoie is known above all for its white wines, which make up the majority of production. The region is home to native grape varieties that are rarely found elsewhere, including Jacquère, which produces light, crisp wines with a clean mineral edge; Altesse, often called Roussette, which offers more structure and floral character; and Roussanne, locally known as Bergeron, found in the appellation of Chignin-Bergeron and prized for its richness and aromatics. Red wines are also part of the region’s identity, particularly those made from Mondeuse, a grape that delivers peppery, vibrant wines with a resemblance to Northern Rhône Syrah, as well as lighter reds made from Gamay and Pinot Noir.

The appellation system in Savoie is intricate and localized, with the overarching Vin de Savoie AOC containing several named crus such as Apremont, Abymes, Chignin, and Arbin, each expressing subtle differences in terroir and grape composition. Other designations include Roussette de Savoie for Altesse-based wines and Seyssel, which is known for its still and sparkling wines made from Molette and Altesse. The styles of wine vary from bone-dry, steely whites to complex skin-contact wines, especially in the hands of a new generation of natural winemakers like Jean-Yves Péron, who are redefining the region’s image with long macerations, amphora aging, and minimal intervention.

Savoie wines are inherently tied to their landscape and culture. They are made to be enjoyed with the region’s traditional alpine cuisine—dishes like fondue, raclette, and tartiflette benefit from the bright acidity and freshness of local wines. There’s a harmony between the wines and the food that speaks to centuries of co-evolution in a demanding mountain environment.

Though still under the radar for many wine drinkers, Savoie is gaining recognition for its purity of expression, its connection to nature, and its commitment to regional identity. The wines are not only delicious but also evocative—each bottle telling a story of high-altitude vineyards, ancient soils, and a winemaking tradition shaped by both innovation and respect for the past.