Domaine Genoux – Savoie Wine Tasting

After winding through the steep, forested roads out of the northern Rhône, I arrived in the Alpine wine region of Savoie for the very first time. It's hard to put into words how striking the landscape is here—mountains rising in every direction, pristine air, and a true sense of place. This is cool-climate viticulture at its finest, and Domaine Genoux (also known as Château de Mérande) stands at the heart of it.

Run by the Genoux brothers, this estate is a benchmark in Savoie winemaking, known for biodynamic farming, minimal intervention, and reviving the traditional grapes and expressions of the region. The domaine is nestled in Arbin and focuses heavily on Mondeuse, the area’s signature red grape, along with local whites like Altesse and Jacquère. The vineyards lie in the Combe de Savoie on clay-limestone slopes formed by ancient glaciers—an ideal setting for precision-driven mountain wines.

Inside their cellar, this Savoie wine tasting reshaped my expectations for the region's wines. The 2017 Son Altesse tasted from barrel was fresh and lifted, with pure acidity and alpine herbs. The La Belle Romaine 2017 Mondeuse was lively and rustic in the best way. Their 2015 Le Comte Rouge (14 months in oak) brought out a more earthy and savory profile—lighter in body, but deeply complex. The standout, however, was La Noire, a selection of their best Mondeuse parcels aged two years in oak. With structure, grip, and elegance, it was the most refined wine I tasted that day.

This visit confirmed that Savoie isn’t just about light alpine whites or après-ski quaffers—it’s a place where serious, age-worthy wines are being made with love and intention. Domaine Genoux proves that beautifully.