From: Montagnieu, Bugey, France
Varietal: Altesse
Taste: Pale straw in the glass with subtle green highlights. The nose opens with alpine lift: white flowers, honeysuckle, and wild herbs layered over quince, yellow apple, and lemon balm. On the palate, the wine is taut and vertical with a linear mineral core. Bright citrus like lime zest and green pear mingle with crushed stone, almond skin, and a saline edge. The finish is long, clean, and slightly waxy, with a lingering tension between ripeness and acidity. Its moderate alcohol content and low pH provide it with the structure for mid-term aging.
Pairing: Altesse’s combination of bright acidity, phenolic grip, and mineral-driven weight makes it an ideal match for richly textured dishes that benefit from contrast and lift. Begin with pairings that highlight herbal, briny, or nutty elements, such as roast chicken with preserved lemon and thyme, or steamed whitefish with tarragon beurre blanc.
About: Franck Peillot operates his domaine in the village of Montagnieu, situated in the Bugey region of eastern France. This remote and somewhat obscure pocket of the Ain department lies between Lyon and Savoie, where the Rhône and Alpine influences converge. While often overshadowed by its more famous neighbors, Bugey offers a remarkable diversity of soils and elevations, and Franck Peillot is widely regarded as the benchmark producer for the region’s most singular expression, Montagnieu sparkling wine, made from the rare grape Altesse.
