Mar 22

Mar 22 Alpine Appellations And The Ski Towns That Love Them

Spanning approximately 1,200km across eight Alpine countries, the Alps are the highest most extensive mountain range connecting Europe. When we first think of the Alps, top skiing terrain, luxury chalets, aprés ski moments, shopping and fine dining come top of mind. Alternatively, what may not be so preeminent is WINE. It’s true, these high altitudes create incredible wines that are high in acidity, bright, refreshing and wonderful for year round drinking!

Since the majority of us have been #togetherathome this winter I’ve teamed up with my friend, Brandon Perlman, Aspen-based entrepreneur by day and his alter-ego, Mr. Luxury Ski, the go-to guy for alpine advice on all things gear, guides, and gourmet. Together we’ve brought you the best of the best for three of Europe’s major alpine regions known for steep pistes, all-day aprés and some of the world’s best (and hardest to acquire) alpine appellations, all paired by me!

So, to help plan your next ski trip or to simply “LIFT” you spiritually to these snow-filled destinations (or, at least until we can return live for fresh tracks and tipples in person), we’ll transport you to the (old)world-class regions of Savoie (France), Alto Adige/Südtirol - Trentino (Italy), + Valais (Switzerland) with glasses and goggles in hand.

Now, let’s clip in and hit the gondola…

SAVOIE - FRENCH ALPS

Located at the foothills of the Alps neighboring the Swiss and Italian borders, Savoie is a picturesque white-capped mountain range surrounded by gorgeous lakes and rocky terrain. A true skier’s delight and a white wine lovers fantasy.

What to Wine

2019 Chignin “Vieilles Vignes” A. & M. Quenard | Hand me a glass on that bluebird day! Made with the Jacquére grape, this wine has all the perks of a juicy peach, bite of citrus, bright acidity and freshness like first snowfall combined! It’s the perfect glass to enjoy as an apéritif or delicious to pair with a traditional alpine cheese, beaufort fondue for a luxurious and comforting aprés ski experience!

Lambert De Seyssel Petit Royal | tucked away in the Auvernge-Rhône-Alpes region of eastern France lies the beautiful white wine appellation, Seyssel. With its gorgeous Medieval architecture bordering the Rhone river and magnificent mountain topography, this is a hidden gem producing glorious sparkling wines with lots of floral vibes made from local grapes, Molette and Altesse. Freshly picked white flowers from the Alps, sliced melon, a drop of honey, a bit toasty with extremely refreshing bubbles this sparkling has much beauty and complexity mimicking its home. The perfect sparkling sipper to start off your evening alpine adventure.

Mr. Luxury Ski Suggests

Where to eat: LE EKRIN gastronomic RESTAURANT / La Folie Douce

Where to stay: LE COUCOU / LE KAILA

Where to ski: MERIBEL / LES 3 VALLESS

Photo Cred: Dolomiti Superski - Lago Federa @dolomitisuperski

ALTO ADIGE/SÜDTIROL / TRENTINO - DOLOMITES

The gorgeous Italian mountain range famously known as the Dolomites is the iconic backdrop to both Trentino + Alto Adige regions. While pretty well known for their fancy resorts and natural beauty some of their wines are mostly enjoyed in situ so better book your trip now for next year to enjoy the views, the ski and the wine!

What to Wine

2019 Vigneti delle Dolomiti Schiava Ferruccio Carlotto | Act like a local, drink like a local. Dating back to the Middle Ages, Schiava has long been considered the provincial wine of the Alto Adige/Südtirol region and is a group of unrelated varieties comprised of Grossa, Gentile and Grigia varieties with Grossa dominating the blend. This classic to the region wine is the perfect thirst quencher slope side. A low tannin, moderate alcohol, light bodied red full of strawberry, grape juice, and mouthwatering acidity is extremely approachable, clean and best enjoyed chilled by mountain snow!

2018 Foradori | Made with 100% Teroldego, it’s considered the “Prince of Trentino” as it’s the regions most important red grape variety! It’s full of red fruit, juicy raspberry, cherry, blackberry, with bits of earth and some leather. A high acid wine with medium tannins that create a sense of warmth and whisks you away to the ski resorts of Trentino (preferably in front of the fireplace aprés ski!).

Mr. Luxury Ski Suggests

Where to eat: LA STUA DE MICHIL / ST. HUBERTUS (SAN CASSIANO)

Where to stay: LA PERLA CORVARA / HOTEL ROSA ALPINA (SAN CASSIANO)

Where to ski: DOLOMITI SUPERSKI

VALAIS - ZERMATT

Home to one of the most well known skiing areas in the world located in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Valais’ showcases majestic yet challenging mountain terrain while also offering an abundance of viticulture producing high quality indigenous red and white grapes in the purest form from alpine terrior. While Swiss wines are still a bit hard to come by in the U.S. it’s still worth seeking them out to experience the beauty of these wines. It’s also very much worth the trip to really immerse yourself in the stunning views and its history that is appropriately called “the Valley of the Sun” due to its energized year round sunshine.

What to Wine

Avalanche 2017 Fendant | If someone bottled up sunshine this would be the bottle. Made with 100% Fendant (or Chasselas), the most widely planted white grape in Switzerland, this wine sparks JOY! Alluring minerality, fresh alpine florals, extremely vibrant with mouthwatering lemon, it’s the perfect thirst quenching white to have slope side.

Avalanche 2017 Swiss Wine Project Pino Noir | An impeccably fresh and uplifting Swiss Pinot Noir filled with sour cherry, plum, a dash of cinnamon with clean acidity and overall smooth. Pair this with your lunch break consisting of a simple slope side grilled cheese or the local Käseschnitte dish!