Wines by Region / Savoie & Bugey / Bugey

Bugey Wine Region: Not Quite Savoie

Bugey
Often erroneously lumped in with the Savoie region, Bugey is a small wine region within the Aín département about midway between Lyon and the Swiss border. Even in France, Bugey us not well known, but we feel that the hardworking and proud winemakers of this former VDQS (Vin Delimitée Qualité Supérieur) deserve more recognition and respect than serious wine drinkers often give them. The region’s vineyards occupy two areas on the lower slopes of the Jura mountains, at a natural geographical crossroads. The grape varieties planted here reflect this, juxtaposing the grapes of the Jura, the Savoie and Burgundy to make a wide variety of sparkling and still wines. And with gastronomical roots like Bugey’s, its no surprise that its wines can be among France’s most food-friendly. The gastronome Brillat-Savarin was born here in 1755, and subsequently became one of the first to write seriously about eating and the art of the table. He once wrote “The discovery of a new dish confers more happiness on humanity than the discovery of a new star,” and many famous dishes (e.g. a cheese, an omelet, a salmon dish, a garnish and a consommé) are named in his honor. 

Bugey landscape

Maison Angelot, located in Marignieu and run by two brothers, consists of 20 different parcels on 57 acres. Among these parcels are those where they grow Gamay grapes for their whimsically labeled (with a drawing of Brillat-Savarin) Bugey Gamay and the Mondeuse for their slightly more serious 100% Mondeuse. Both are excellent options with rich or spicy foods or game meats.
 
Cerdon de Bugey
We are proud to be the importer of one of the few Cerdon de Bugey brought into the United States. This rare sparkling pink wine (comparable only perhaps to Clairette de Die, Moscato d’Asti or Brachetto d’Acqui) is made in the methode ancestrale using either 100% Gamay grapes or a combination of Gamay and Poulsard. Our producer, Domaine Rondeau, adds about 10% Poulsard to his old-vine Gamay to handcraft their delightful and highly unique Cerdon de Bugey.

Bugey vineyards

Monsieur Brillat-Savarin and his most famous work