Domaine Les Côtes Rousses — Clément Vins — Savoie
Domaine Les Côtes Rousses is the project of Clément Vins, a young and dedicated natural winemaker in the heart of Savoie. His journey into winemaking began with a passion for the mountains and a respect for nature. Located in the alpine foothills, he is a rising star in the region, known for crafting pure, mineral-driven, and vibrant wines that are a true reflection of the unique, high-altitude terroir.
A Philosophy of Alpine Purity
Clément's winemaking philosophy is rooted in the simple belief that great wine comes from healthy grapes and minimal intervention. His approach is deeply connected to the alpine environment, focusing on purity, freshness, and elegance.
Organic Farming: The vineyards are farmed organically, with a focus on sustainable practices that protect the delicate mountain ecosystem. He avoids the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides, allowing the vines to thrive naturally.
Low Intervention: In the cellar, Clément's approach is hands-off. He uses native yeasts for fermentation and works with a "less is more" philosophy, avoiding fining, filtration, and additives.
Terroir Expression: His goal is to let the unique terroir of Savoie—the alpine climate, the high altitude, and the distinct soil types—speak for itself in the bottle.
The Vineyards and Terroir
The domaine is nestled on the steep slopes of the Savoie region, a terroir defined by its challenging and beautiful mountainous landscape.
Location: The vineyards are located in the commune of Chignin, in the heart of Savoie.
Vineyard Area: A small, personal domaine of around 3 hectares.
Grape Varieties: Clément focuses on the indigenous grapes of the region, including Jacquère, Altesse (Roussette de Savoie), Mondeuse, and Gamay.
Soils: The terroir is a mix of clay-limestone and glacial moraine, which gives his wines a distinctive freshness, high acidity, and a powerful mineral character. The steep slopes require meticulous manual labor.
Winemaking and Process
Clément's winemaking is a precise and thoughtful process, designed to preserve the vibrant acidity and aromatic complexity of the grapes.
Harvest: All grapes are hand-harvested and carefully sorted.
Vinification: He uses a direct press for his white wines and favors whole-cluster fermentation for his reds. Fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel tanks and old barrels to maintain the purity of the fruit.
Aging: The wines are aged on their lees for several months to gain complexity and natural stability before being bottled.
Signature Wines to Discover
The wines of Domaine Les Côtes Rousses are known for their lively acidity, crisp minerality, and alpine freshness.
Jacquère: A pure expression of this indigenous grape, with a crisp, saline, and mineral-driven character.
Mondeuse: A vibrant and peppery red wine with firm tannins and bright acidity.
Altesse: A richer white wine with more texture and aromatic complexity, often with notes of apricot and honey.
Address & Contact
Domaine Les Côtes Rousses is a small, personal project. Visits are by appointment only.
Address: 101 Allée de l'Ars, 73800 Chignin, France.