Press pack

Wine and chocolate in Rhône-Alpes

December 2013

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Contents

Introduction and press contacts 3

The Beaujolais vineyards and Lyon 4

The Beaujolais Route des Vins GPS audio guide circuits in the Beaujolais The 'Bistrots Beaujolais': out to conquer the world! Le Hameau Duboeuf in Romanèche-Thorins 5 The 'Rouge et Blanc' restaurant in Romanèche-Thorins SIRHA (The World Hospitality & Food Service Event) in Lyon Les Sarmentelles John Euvrard, an English-speaking sommelier in Lyon

The bouchon, or Lyon's great culinary tradition 6

Top of the chocs in Lyon and surrounding area

Côtes du Rhône and the Rhône Valley 9

The Côtes du Rhône vineyards Explore the great crus on a Rhône River trip Marie-Josée Faure, an English-speaking wine expert and guide in Tournon The M. Chapoutier wine tasting school in Tain-l’Hermitage 10 The Université du Vin in Suze la Rousse Electric bike tours of the l'Hermitage wine area

Good addresses in the Drôme

The Valrhona Cité du Chocolat in Tain l’Hermitage 11

The vineyards of Savoie, the Alps, Chambéry and Annecy 12

The Vins de Savoie vineyards La Maison de la Vigne et du Vin in Apremont Wine Wanderings with Alpes Flaveurs

Good addresses in Savoie Mont Blanc 13

Alpine chocolate treats Chocolate truffles from Chambéry 14

2 Introduction: Wine & chocolate in Rhône Alpes

The Rhône Alpes region encompasses eight départements that bring a wealth of contributions to the region's landscapes, climates and traditions. The region extends from the Beaujolais in the north to the foothills of the Massif Central in the west, from the highest peaks of the Alps in the east and as far as the Ardèche Gorge at the gateway to Provence in the south. This variety of landscapes is laid out either side of the broad River Rhône, which has shaped the land, giving the region its character through the different terroirs it has created. It is these terroirs, areas with a distinctive geology, climate and tradition that have blessed Rhône Alpes with the famous vineyards of Beaujolais, Côtes du Rhône, Crozes Hermitage, Saint Joseph, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu and many others besides.

This press pack takes you on a tour of the region's main wine-growing areas but also introduces you to the region's big names and specialities in the chocolate industry, peppered with a few suggestions of delightful places to stay, eat and relax while you are in Rhône Alpes. Because it's true to say that in recent years chocolate has come into fashion. There are now more chocolate trade fairs, connoisseur clubs and tasting classes than ever, and the words cru and vintage no longer apply just to wines. And if Rhône Alpes is undoubtedly a wine region, it is also home to a fine palette of talented chocolatiers and melt-in-the-mouth specialities. The Beaujolais, which has just enjoyed its annual celebration of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine, offers a plethora of ways to learn about its wines. And the Beaujolais also forms the gateway to Lyon, France's foodie capital and home of the celebrated 'bouchon' bistro, but also one of the best places to find the famous chocolate makers. Côtes du Rhône, Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Hermitage: the vineyard-clad hillsides flanking the stately River Rhône are ripe for exploring (by electric bike too!) but this area has also recently become something of a hotpot for top-quality chocolate-tasting opportunities. The much-vaunted opening of the Cité du Chocolat in Tain l'Hermitage last October is proof positive of that. This beautifully designed multi-sensory visitor experience is a real treat, not only for children but for adults too. And don't they say there's no better combination that wine and chocolate? What not try a wine-and-chocolate tasting with Marie Josée Faure at Les Sens Ciel in Tournon? And as for the vineyards of Savoie, their underrated wines are rivalled only by their chocolaty specialities: Annecy's liqueur-filled roseaux, Chambéry's delicate truffles and Megève's glaçons with their crunchy white meringue coat!

Contacts at Rhone-Alpes Tourisme: Isabelle Faure – Wine tourism Tel. +33 (0)4 26 73 31 77 [email protected]

Martine Bridier – Wine tourism Tel. +33 (0)4 26 73 31 76 [email protected]

Raphaelle Nicaise – Press Attaché Tel. +33 (0)4 26 73 31 84 [email protected]

3 The Beaujolais and Lyon vineyards

The Beaujolais vineyards Lying to the north of Lyon, the Beaujolais wine region grows a single grape variety: Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. The Beaujolais is home to 12 appellations, the 'Beaujolais' and 'Beaujolais villages' wines, most of which come in the form of primeurs, otherwise known as the Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais- Villages Nouveau wines, plus the ten crus (or separate wine-growing terroirs) intimately bound up with the areas they are grown (Chiroubles, Fleurie, Saint-Amour, Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Juliénas, Régnié, Chénas, Morgon and Moulin à Vent). To qualify for the Beaujolais appellation, The grapes grown here may only be harvested manually. The hand-picked grapes are usually first sorted to remove any damaged grapes and then vatted in whole bunches. This method of macerating whole bunches of grapes, known as vinification beaujolaise, is specific to the Beaujolais. Beaujolais Nouveau, released for consumption every year on the third Thursday in November, is a global phenomenon, with the wines being immediately shipped worldwide. www.beaujolais.com

The Beaujolais Route des Vins The continuation of the Burgundy Route des Vins, this wine trail runs for 140 kilometres (85 miles) from the village of Chânes in the north to the edge of Lyon, passing through 36 communes along the way. In 2010, special signage was installed to mark the trail. The Route connects all the region's main tourist attractions, taking the visitor on a tour of the Beaujolais. The route shows off the best of the 12 appellations, running right through the heart of the region's ten crus, visiting the historical capital Beaujeu, Vaux-en-Beaujolais (the inspiration behind the famous satirical novel Clochemerle), Salles- Arbuissonnas and Villefranche-sur-Saône, and not forgetting the golden-stone villages of the Pierre Dorées (including Oingt, among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'). www.beaujolais.com (go to Wine / Wine tourism French Flair organises excursions for individuals exploring the Beaujolais that include wine tasting, starting from Lyon every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday until 31 October. www.beaujolaistour.com

GPS audio guide circuits in the Beaujolais Around ten GPS-enabled audio guides are available to download from the website www.beaujolais.com. Designed to help visitors explore the best bits of the Beaujolais along the Route des Vins du Beaujolais, these audio guide itineraries were produced by Zevisit, the world's leading audio guide publisher, in collaboration with the Tourist Offices of the Beaujolais Region. The principle is simple: the audio route can be downloaded and listened to either at home, or when out on the road (audio plus GPS directions) in the case of visitors using a sat nav device while on holiday in the Beaujolais. This is currently the only wine region in France to offer this type of interactive GPS-enabled circuit. www.beaujolais.com (go to Wine / Wine tourism)

The 'Bistrots Beaujolais': out to conquer the world! This is a network of more than 250 warmly welcoming restaurants (from simple brasseries to Michelin- starred restaurants) that feature wines and/or dishes that hail from the Beaujolais on their menu or wine list. You'll find 'Bistrots Beaujolais' in the Beaujolais region, but also in major cities in France and beyond, including Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and in the UK too, with 8 Bistrots Beaujolais in London: Brula, Garnier, Gazette (Balham and Battersea), La Bonne Heure, Le Beaujolais, Le Colombier and Ransome’s Dock, and even as far away as the US! www.beaujolais.com (go to Pleasure / Bistrots Beaujolais)

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Le Hameau Duboeuf in Romanèche-Thorins This is a unique tourist attraction dedicated to the Beaujolais vineyards and wines, created by the famous Beaujolais wine maker Georges Duboeuf. The Hameau du Vin is where visitors come to explore, relax, taste wines and learn about the history of wine growing and wines, all in one place. Guests take a rather unusual journey back in time to learn about how wine used to be shipped from producer to consumer, and can stroll around the fragrant garden breathing in all the natural wine aromas, before visiting a wine storehouse of impressive proportions. Gift shop and restaurant on site. The new attraction opened in 2012 is the Ciné’Up, the world's first Beaujolais 4D cinema experience. Tel. +33 (0)3 85 35 22 22 www.hameauduvin.com

The 'Rouge et Blanc' restaurant in Romanèche-Thorins New in 2013 Three-Michelin-star chef Georges Blanc, based in nearby Vonnas, opened his new 'Rouge et Blanc' restaurant in Romanèche-Thorins on 21 November 2013 to mark the release of the year's Beaujolais Nouveau, which always takes place on the third Thursday in November. This gastronomic restaurant is in the old 'Hôtel Les Maritonnes' built in around 1850, and sommelier Fabrice Sommier – who holds a coveted 'Meilleur Ouvrier de France' title – proposes a wine list featuring an extensive selection of Beaujolais wines. The restaurant's name, 'Rouge et Blanc', is a reference to the red wines of Beaujolais and a tribute to the Michelin-starred chef based in Vonnas. Indeed, wine is an ingredient in some of his creations, which feature mouthwatering sauces and regional produce. http://www.georgesblanc.com/fr/index.php#index.php

SIRHA (The World Hospitality & Food Service Event) in Lyon The next event is in 2015 This is the only event with its finger really on the pulse of the world restaurant industry because it is the biggest professional food service and hospitality trade fair in the world, with more than 2,000 exhibitors from 120 countries. Last time around, SIRHA showcased 600 new and exciting products and services, 150 of which were premièred at the show, and included 10,000 chefs from 136 countries, the crème de la crème of the worldwide restaurant industry. SIRHA is also where the prestigious Bocuse d'Or international chef competition takes place, featuring selected chefs from all over the world. The show takes place every two years. www.sirha.com

Les Sarmentelles Beaujeu - Rhône 21 November 2013 - The third Thursday in November Every year on the third Thursday in November, the latest vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated with a flourish in bars and restaurants in Lyon and the surrounding region. In Beaujeu, capital of the Beaujolais, Les Sarmentelles is a popular night of celebration, dancing and singing to mark the event. At midnight the barrels are tapped and there is a torchlight procession through the streets of Beaujeu. Tel. +33 (0)4 74 69 26 98 - +33 (0)4 74 69 22 88 - www.sarmentelles.com

John Euvrard, an English-speaking sommelier in Lyon John Euvrard is a sommelier who holds the prestigious 'Meilleur Ouvrier de France' title and lives in Lyon. After 15 years working for Paul Bocuse, John now organises various wine-themed events for groups including wine tastings with nibbles, blind tastings and an introduction to wine tasting. In 2010 he opened his very own temple to wine on the Saône riverside in Lyon. 'Sélection John Euvrard' is home to a selection of wines presented by character: dry and fruity, round and full, full-bodied and meaty, etc., to suit all budgets. John speaks both French and English fluently and can also hold events in Spanish. Sélection John Euvrard - 12 quai de la Pêcherie, Lyon

5 Tel. +33 (0)4 78 08 48 90 - +33 (0)6 76 69 74 44 www.john-euvrard.fr

The bouchon, or Lyon's great culinary tradition Lyon should be at the top of every foodie's wish list. The city is world-famous for its gastronomy, including its celebrated traditional bouchon bistros which sum up the city's history and atmosphere so well. These restaurants continue a centuries-old culinary tradition and encapsulate the French way of life to a tee. Their authentic character is a draw for visitors and locals alike. These warmly welcoming establishments offer simple home-made fare made with good, fresh produce. A bouchon is THE place to go to try Lyonnais specialities such as quenelle (a light fish or meat 'dumpling'), salade lyonnaise, cervelle de canut (not brains but a delicious fromage-blanc dip!), tarte aux pralines, and more. The origin of the name bouchon dates back to the time when inns serving wine outside mealtimes advertised the fact by tying a wisp of straw to their street sign in an attempt to attract passing trade from the mail coaches and diligences that plied the route. The idea was that the coachmen would enjoy a plate of victuals while the horses were being rubbed down with straw (bouchonné in French).

The Bouchons Lyonnais quality mark Created by Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Lyon Tourisme et Congrès, the Bouchons Lyonnais quality mark commits restaurateurs to providing quality produce, food, hospitality and atmosphere in their restaurant, as well as respecting their heritage and history. Qualifying restaurants proudly display an enamel Les Bouchons Lyonnais plaque so they can be easily identified by visitors. The list of Bouchons Lyonnais is available on the association's website: www.lesbouchonslyonnais.org

Top of the chocs in Lyon and surrounding area

Weiss, the forerunner The Weiss chocolaterie in Saint Etienne is one of the oldest in France. A pioneering innovator that has won a host of awards, the Weiss chocolaterie is the work of just one man: Eugène Weiss (1858-1939). Four generations of his family have followed since, continuing this skilled family business, which was recognised by a European Excellence Award in 1985. "Quality, sophistication, creativity and respect for an artisanal tradition" were among the reasons quoted by the selection committee. Weiss is in good company: Dior, Saint-Laurent, Rolls-Royce, Piaget and a other top names have also received this award. www.chocolat-weiss.fr

Voisin One of Lyon's best-loved artisan chocolate makers since 1897, Voisin still uses traditional recipes, boasting an extensive range of chocolates containing pure cocoa butter (more than sixty varieties) as well as specialities such as the famous marzipan-and-chocolate Coussin de Lyon, which has become forever associated with the city, and the finger-shaped Quenelle. Voisin owns 22 shops. www.chocolat- voisin.com

Bernachon Founded in 1953 by Maurice Bernachon, this world-famous family chocolate company is one of the very few artisanal chocolate makers still processing its own cocoa beans. It makes chocolates in more than sixty shapes and a variety of bars, both solid and filled with almonds, candied orange and other

6 delights. The Palet d’Or, a delicate ganache sandwiched between two layers of dark chocolate and covered in a golden-coloured powder, is one of the firm's best-loved specialities, along with its chocolate truffles. www.bernachon.com

Sébastien Bouillet This family-owned company established in 1977 makes chocolates, pâtisseries and ice creams that are a blend of tradition and creativity. House specialities include the Maca’Lyon®, a caramel macaroon coated in delicious chocolate. To date, the company has five shops in Lyon, including Chokola, a shop dedicated entirely to chocolate, fitted out like a New York loft apartment where customers can watch the laboratory staff working and come face to face with a wall of chocolate and even a chocolate-bar 'library'! www.chocolatier-bouillet.com Gâteau-École Sébastien Bouillet Sébastien Bouillet's cake-making school in the heart of the Croix-Rousse district runs cookery classes open to the general public. Macaroons, marshmallows, cupcakes: children and adults, groups and individuals can learn the tricks of the trade from the famous Lyonnais chocolatier Sébastien Bouillet: www.gateau-ecole.com

Sève A 'Maître Chocolatier de Lyon', ranked as one of the 10 top chocolate makers in France, Richard Sève is a regional trendsetter who carefully preserves age-old recipes. You simply have to try the real praline tart made by this top-quality company which has been going strong since 1905, and the Pierres des Monts d'Or, praline-filled flaky chocolates containing Piedmontese hazelnuts and coated with meringue royale. Several shops, including one in the famous Halles de Lyon indoor food market: www.chocolatseve.com

Pépin Pépin has come up with Lyon's newest speciality: the Luminon, a melt-in-the-mouth chocolate candle created for the Fête des Lumières! The firm also makes an extensive selection of hand-made pure- cocoa-butter chocolates, macaroons and little gâteaux. www.patisserie-chocolaterie-pepin.com

Richart This Lyon chocolatier started at the top end of Croix-Rousse in 1925. It now has shops all over the world and produces an extensive selection of highly original chocolates containing spices and flowers. www.chocolats-richart.com

The history of the papillote Legend has it that the papillote chocolate was invented in 1790 in the shop run by Lyon confectioner Monsieur Papillot in rue du Bât-d’Argent, near city's the Terreaux district. It is said that Papillot's young apprentice was head over heels in love with a local girl, and would slip her little chocolates wrapped in a love letter through the basement window grating. Noticing that his sweets were disappearing, Papillot suspected that his apprentice was helping himself from the stock. One day he caught the boy red-handed and sacked him on the spot. But he found the idea charming and stole it, replacing the sweet nothings with quotations, jokes and puzzles: the papillote was born. It has since given rise to a tradition, and papillotes are a regular feature in Lyon households during the Christmas period. It is generally agreed that the best papillotes are those made by the Révillon company in Coteau, a few kilometres outside Lyon: www.revillonchocolatier.fr

The École de Cuisine at the Institut Paul Bocuse: pastry (patisserie) classes in English The brand new École de Cuisine Bellecour at the Institut Paul Bocuse runs pâtisserie workshops for children and adults in French and English where students can learn to make beautifully crafted and

7 rather different desserts: Gianduja chocolate slices, lime éclairs, cookies, cupcakes and more. http://ecoledecuisine.institutpaulbocuse.com/9-patisserie

8 Côtes du Rhône and the Rhône Valley

The Côtes du Rhône vineyards This is one of France's oldest wine regions. Côtes du Rhône is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée wine produced south of Lyon on both banks of the River Rhône between Vienne and Avignon. It hails from a large part of the Rhône Valley vineyards because Côtes du Rhône is a regional appellation. Other appellations are also produced from within the Rhône Valley wine-growing area in Rhône-Alpes, namely Côte Rôtie, Condrieu, Château Grillet, Saint Joseph, Cornas, Saint Péray, Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage, Vinsobres and Côtes du Rhône Villages. The area is divided into two regions: Northern Côtes du Rhône (from Vienne to Livron-sur-Drôme) and Southern Côtes du Rhône (from Montélimar and Bourg Saint Andéol to Avignon). The Rhône Valley vineyards cover an area of 71,000 hectares, making this France's second largest AOC wine region. Syrah (often known elsewhere as Shiraz) is one of the red grape varieties most associated with the Southern Côtes du Rhône. The white varieties include Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache and Viognier (the leading variety). www.vins-rhone.com

Explore the great crus on a Rhône River trip This is a wonderful way to travel: cruising past steep valley sides cloaked in the prestigious vineyards of Condrieu, Côte Rôtie and Saint Joseph on board Le Livia dining cruiser. The stunning Rhône Valley countryside here was recently awarded 'Vignobles et découvertes' status by the Ministry of Tourism. Along the way you can enjoy fine wines made by wine growers passionate about what they do, whose families have been doing it for generations. There is a choice of cruises: a 2½-hour trip with commentary about the wines and vineyards; or a gastronomic dinner cruise lasting 3½ hours. Le Livia, quai Georges Pompidou, F-38200 Vienne, Tel. +33 (0)4 74 57 49 60. www.bateau-livia.com

Marie-Josée Faure, Les Sens Ciel wine bar's English-speaking wine expert and guide in Tournon sur Rhône Based in Tournon in the Rhône Valley, Marie-Josée Faure organises Côtes du Rhône AOC wine tasting workshops accompanied by local produce. As part of the workshop, guests visit wine cellars, meet winemakers and explore the terraced vineyards on foot. Marie-Josée Faure has also opened a shop in Tournon that stocks a fascinating range of wines and local produce. She serves a light meal of home- made quiches, fresh bread with toppings and hearty salads made with delicious local produce. Marie-Josée Faure was born in the heart of the famous Southern Rhône Valley crus (or wine-growing terroirs) and grew up surrounded by the lovely smells of cellars and wines. As a student she would spend every summer exploring the vineyards of the local appellations such as Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage and St Joseph and toil among the rows of vines, working for the great wine growers of Tain l’Hermitage. No surprise then that she ended up studying at the Université du Vin in Suze-la-Rousse and embarked on career in the wine industry. Along the way, she has combined her passion for all things wine with her long-standing love of speaking English. And with diplomas from London's famous Wine & Spirit Education Trust in her pocket, she now offers a range of wine-related services in English too. Tel. +33 (0)6 83 08 48 55 - www.vin-et-sens.com

9 The M. Chapoutier wine tasting school in Tain-l’Hermitage In 1808 the name Chapoutier joined the ranks of the Rhône Valley wine growers. In 1989 the M. Chapoutier wine company adopted biodynamic viticulture methods, producing wines of renowned quality. The M. Chapoutier wine tasting school runs workshops that offer guests a different way to learn about wines. The idea is to enjoy fine wines along with good food. "I was keen to create a fun, gourmet experience featuring both local wines and wines from further afield," explains Michel Chapoutier, "to do away with the elitist side of wine tasting and make it accessible to everyone!" Here the courses are led by the company's four sommeliers, accompanied by talks from top experts in geology, botany and biodynamics. Visitors can also enjoy a blind wind-tasting session and take part in an introductory workshop with a sommelier to learn the basics of wine appreciation, followed by a 'bistronomic' dinner, with everyone eating together round the big dining table in the Chapoutier home. Introductory workshop - 4 hrs, €60 Workshop of the month - full day, €145 Great wines workshop - full day, €205 Tel. +33 (0)4 75 08 92 51 - www.chapoutier.com

The Université du Vin in Suze la Rousse The grand château that dominates the village and surrounding vineyards here is the seat of the Université de Vin, where students learn all about winemaking and wine. Set up on the initiative of wine industry organisations and companies, the Université de Vin runs professional development training and higher education courses leading to a diploma. Wine enthusiasts with varying degrees of knowledge can come here to learn the art of wine appreciation and discover the secrets of pairing wines with dishes with oenology lecturer Philippe. "The skill of pairing food and wine is an art form, particularly when it comes to cheeses," says Philippe, who takes his groups into the vineyard garden which features more than 70 grape varieties. Here, he teaches them about the different growth phases of the vines through the changing seasons. After lunch, students leave for a well-known vineyard in the Tricastin region where they visit wine cellars, taste more wines and round everything off with a gentle walk through the vines to aid digestion. Wine tasting weekends (for beginners and advanced enthusiasts, plus cookery classes), courses for groups (the wines of Provençal Drôme, wine tasting techniques, and discovering the Rhône Valley, etc.), there's an option for every wine buff in the making. Price for a day: between €175 and €220 depending on what's included. Price for a weekend (for more advanced courses): €350. Tel. +33 (0)4 75 97 21 30 - www.universite-du-vin.com

Taste your way around the Rhône Wine Terraces: electric bike tours of the l'Hermitage wine area Here's an original and very practical way to explore the terraced vineyards of Côtes du Rhône! Fabien Louis, a wine expert who owns a wine bar in Tain l’Hermitage, offers a range of options for those who want to explore the local vineyards, either independently with a GPS and route guide or on a guided tour, tasting the best crus of the Northern Côtes du Rhône: Crozes-Hermitage, Saint-Joseph and Hermitage. Fabien Louis – Tel. +33 (0)4 75 08 40 56 www.ausommelier.com

La Maison Pic in Valence If you're on the Côtes du Rhône Route des Vins you simply have to stop off here! Anne Sophie Pic has received just about every honour going. She was 2007 Chef of the Year, Best Female Chef in the World in 2011, and the only women to be awarded three Michelin stars. The critics all agree that she has proved herself worthy of her father, the great chef Jacques Pic. Her cuisine is characterised by countless unexpected associations of flavours presented extremely elegantly on the plate.

10 www.pic-valence.com/

Le Mas Bella Cortis in La Garde-Adhémar A stone's throw from the village of La Garde-Adhémar, officially recognised as One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France, the bedrooms at Le Mas Bella Cortis chambres d'hôtes are full of the fragrances and colour of Provence. The house overlooks garrigue, truffle fields, lavender beds and vineyards and treats guests to a unique view of the ochre cliffs at Clansayes. Themed stays are available, featuring local delights such as truffles and asparagus. The breakfasts are generous and delicious. www.masenprovence.com

Le Domaine du Colombier in Malataverne This character hotel-restaurant at Malataverne near Grignan in Provençal Drôme is a former 14th century 'bastide' which was once used as a staging posts by pilgrims. Set in grounds of four hectares with woods and flower beds and featuring terraces, fountains and an outdoor swimming pool, it is the perfect place to relax. This four-star hotel has twenty bedrooms and four suites, all recently refurbished , decorated in subtle colours and combining elegance with comfort. In the gastronomic restaurant, chefs Julien Gleize and Cyril Fressac serve up a creative, seasonal cuisine that draws on local produce. And what's more, these two passionate chefs run unstuffy cookery workshops for beginners and experts. www.domaine-colombier.com

The Valrhona Cité du Chocolat in Tain l’Hermitage Official opening: 24 October 2013 The famous French chocolate maker Valrhona, founded in Tain l'Hermitage in 1922, supplies chocolate of exceptional quality to gastronomy professionals and gourmet consumers. There are now three good reasons to go this centre of excellence in chocolate: the gift shop, the École du Grand Chocolat (a school that trains budding chocolatiers and provides advanced instruction and a forum for professionals – the École Gourmet runs confectionery classes for the general public), and lastly the new interactive and multi-sensory Visitors' Centre, which opened on 24 October. This innovative centre calls upon the visitor's taste, touch, hearing and manipulation skills, along with several chocolate-tasting opportunities along the way. www.citeduchocolat.com

11 The vineyards of Savoie, the Alps, Chambéry and Annecy

The Vins de Savoie vineyards This is France's only mountainous wine-producing region, and also the highest in France. The Vins de Savoie region consists of 3 AOCs (Vin de Savoie AOC, Roussette de Savoie AOC and Seyssel AOC), 20 geographical denominations and 23 grape varieties, with AOC vineyards covering a total area of 2,200 hectares! Vin de Savoie is an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée wine produced mainly in the départements of Savoie and Haute Savoie, and also in just two communes in Ain and one in Isère. A total of 23 grape varieties are grown in Savoie (11 of which make up the majority), out of 250 grown in France overall. The main varieties are Mondeuse, Gamay, Persan and Pinot (for the red wines), and Jacquère, Altesse, Roussanne, Chasselas, Gringet, and Chasselay (for the whites). Jacquère is the most widely grown variety in Savoie (50% of vineyards). It is the main variety used in six of the crus (or separate wine- growing terroirs), the biggest of which are in the Cluse de Chambéry (the Apremont and Abymes, Chignin and St-Jeoire-Prieuré crus), the Combe de Savoie (the Cruet cru) and west of the Lac du Bourget (the Jongieux cru). The other famous crus of the Savoie wine region are Chignin-Bergeron, Chignin, Chautagne, Roussette Marestel, Marignan, Marin and Ripaille. www.vindesavoie.net

La Maison de la Vigne et du Vin in Apremont Situated at the foot of the Granier vineyards and built with high-quality materials to HQE (high environmental quality) standards, La Maison de la Vigne et du Vin visitor centre is a showcase for the wines of Savoie, featuring 180 different Savoie wines made by 60 wine growers. Visitors can browse the extensive collection of Savoie wines in the 'oenothèque' and also find out more about a particular wine grower, buy a few bottles of wine or simply admire this handsomely designed building which blends in perfectly with the surrounding Savoyard countryside of vineyard-clad mountains. Maison Vigne & Vin - L’Œnothèque Chef Lieu – 73190 Apremont Tel. +33 (0)4 79 33 44 16 www.vindesavoie.net/fr/infos-pratiques/maison-de-la-vigne-et-du-vin/infospratiques- maisonvins.htm

Wine Wanderings with Alpes Flaveurs In the Savoie vineyards near Chambéry, Bernard Vissoud, a mountain leader with a degree in viticulture and oenology offers visitors the chance to combine mountains and wines of Savoie. He leads easy- paced walks in the Bauges and Chartreuse Regional Nature Parks on which visitors get to learn about and taste the wines of Savoie as guests of local wine growers. Bernard is passionate about the region, teaching visitors all about the history, vinification process and different crus of Savoie and giving them a unique insight to France's only mountainous wine area. Alpes Flaveurs, Bernard Vissoud Tel. +33 (0)4 79 28 61 49 - www.alpes-flaveurs.com

12 'Le 20/vins' restaurant in Annecy The Hôtel Les Trésoms has opened an original restaurant in Annecy's Vieille Ville. While soaking up the smart, contemporary character décor and cosy ambiance, diners can sample 70 wines by the glass to accompany a menu of 15 risottos. There's a 'wall of wines' from which guests help themselves, while the clearly explained classification system enables them to enjoy both small producer wines and grands crus. And for aquaphiles, the restaurant also offers an extensive list of mineral waters of the world. Hôtel Les Trésoms Lake & Spa Resort – tel. +33 (0)4 50 51 43 84 - www.lestresoms.com

Auberge les Morainières in Jonzieux The Auberge des Morainières run by Michaël Arnoult and his wife, who moved here from Megève in 2005, where he ran the Flocons de sel, has quickly become THE fine dining address in an area stretching from the Bugey to Savoie. Following a first Michelin star in 2011, a second followed in 2012! Michaël's talent is clearly expressed in his sophisticated, flavoursome, elegant and warmly enticing cuisine, served with discreet and professional flair. And all in an amazing setting with an uninterrupted view of the River Rhône and vineyards. Coteau Marestel, 73170 Jongieux - Tel. +33 (0)4 79 44 09 39 - www.auberge-les-morainieres.com

Les Suites de l’Hôtel de Sautet, Chambéry In a grand town house dating from 1760, Philippe and Edith Lanthelme-Tournier, who are passionate about history and in love with the town of Chambéry, have restored their apartment, turning it into a maison d’hôtes with a cosy atmosphere and sophisticated décor very fitting of the history of the capital of the Dukes of Savoy. Four spacious bedrooms with top-notch facilities (flat-screen TV, DVD player, Internet access, etc.) are available to rent by the night. www.hotel-chambery-sautet.fr/

Le M de Megève Hotel ***** Opening on 11 December 2013 Le Manège has been fully refurbished and is now called Le M de Megève, the resort's new five-star hotel, due to open on 11 December. Located in the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in the Alps, the hotel has been totally redesigned in its new guise as M de Megève. It's an exceptional address where luxury is evident wherever you look: the design, the modern spa with underwater currents, the gastronomic restaurant, the bistro and the indoor garden. Alain Perrier has decorated the 42 bedrooms with a harmonious blend of materials, styles and fabrics made by the prestigious Arpin wool company. A luxury hotel with a contemporary feel. http://hotel-le-manege.com/

Alpine chocolate treats

Annecy roseaux Much of the banks of Lake Annecy, the cleanest lake in Europe, is thick with throngs of reeds. The reed beds there form an ecologically rich environment for wildlife. An iconic feature of the lake, today the reeds (roseaux in French) are protected within a conservation area. For more than 60 years, local chocolatiers have paid tribute to their natural heritage by making their own chocolate version of the

13 roseaux, a speciality filled with a selection of delicious liqueurs that set off the dark chocolate exterior, made with 72% cocoa. 6 rue du Lac, 74000 Annecy - Te. +33 (0)4 50 45 04 70

Chocolate truffles from Chambéry These days, truffles, one of the most mouthwatering of chocolate treats, are made all over France. But did you know that the truffle chocolate originates in Chambéry? It was Chambéry confectioner Louis Dufour, who ran a shop first in Place de l'Hôtel de Ville and later in Rue d'Italie, who invented the truffle. On 28 December 1895, Monsieur Dufour found he was short of stock in his shop. In a flash of inspiration, he mixed together dark chocolate, crème fraîche and a hint of vanilla, shaping it into little balls that he coated with cocoa. The Chambéry truffle, known as truffe au chocolat, was born. Cédric Pernot, chocolatier - tel. +33 (0)4 79 70 22 62 Confiserie Mazet - tel. + 33 (0)4 79 85 45 80 2014 is the Year of Taste and Gastronomy in Chambéry: http://lumieresur.chambery.fr/613- chambery-une-ville-a-croquer.htm

Megève glaçons How the Megève glaçon came to be is a lovely story! To celebrate the birth of his first child, in 1909 a young Italian chocolatier called Barthélémy Vigliengo invented the glaçon, a little white round sweet, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. His secret recipe has since been passed down from generation to generation. Today Barthélémy 's great granddaughter Isabelle Vigliengo has taken over the reins. The glaçon de Megève is a subtle combination of delicate crunchiness and delicious melt-in-the-mouth chocolate. The inside is a superior-quality praline made of chocolate and a blend of finely chopped hazelnuts and almonds. The praline is laid out and cut into small pieces, and each piece is covered in a thin coat of meringue to create the glaçons, so called because their hard white exterior looks like a little round ice cube. www.glaconsdemegeve.com

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