Demeure-Pinet

Saint Genix-sur-Guiers, Savoie, France

Domaine Demeure-Pinet is located in the “avant pays” of the Savoie region, in the hilly town of Saint Genix-sur-Guiers, about half way between Lyon and Chambery. Although their region was once widely planted with vines, today Chrystele and Philippe Demeure-Pinet are the only local wine growers in their tiny village. They are located at the confluence of 3 regions: the Rhone Valley to the west, Jura to the north and Savoie proper to the east. The Demeure-Pinet vineyard, at an altitude of 225 meters, enjoys a semi-continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters.

 In 1971, Chrystele’s father Pierre converted his polyculture farm to a wine estate. In 1990, Chrystele’s husband Philippe helped modernize the vineyards and the winery and brought the domaine to its present size of 8.5 hectares. The vineyards are on south-facing slopes with limestone- clay soils. 70% of the vines are dedicated to white grapes, almost all of it Jacquere. The domaine follows lutte raisonnée vineyards practices: no chemical products are used and grass is planted in every 2nd row to control erosion and foster a healthy natural ambiance. All of the produc- tion is estate-bottled.

Our Selections

Demeure-Pinet Jacquere Vin des Allobroges IGP Blanc 2022

Jacquere is known for making a clean and fresh alpine white wine that is both savory and mineral. The Demeure-Pinet Jacquere is gently pressed in a pneumatic press and the must is quickly cleared. Fermentation occurs at low temperature in 48 HL stainless steel tanks. The wine rests on its lees in tank over the winter and is bottled in the early spring. Being outside of the limits of sectors classified as Savoie Appellation Controlée, Domaine Demeure- Pinet wines are labelled with the name of the grape variety and the “default” Vin de Pays (now IGP): namely, Vin des Allobroges. The term “Allobroges” refers to the Gaulois people who populated the region from the Rhone Valley and eastward into Alps -- later known as Savoie -- in the centuries before the Roman era.

France’s Guide Hachette des Vins (2009 edition) lauded Domaine Demeure-Pinet: “this Domaine has become a reference in the vinification of Jacquere....With its great vivacity, the wine evokes white flowers (acacia) and citrus fruit (lemon) complemented by a touch of minerals. On the palate, one has the sensation of crunching into a green apple....” Delicious as an aperitif or with oysters. Of course, the classic pairing in the area is with raclette, fondue, or a farmhouse Reblochon cheese.