In short: Chignin-Bergeron is Savoie’s great Roussanne white, a cru of the AOC Vin de Savoie produced in Chignin, Montmélian and Francin. Fuller, richer and more fragrant (apricot, yellow fruit, almond) than an Apremont, it’s the best friend of smoked, peppercorn or herb raclettes. It can handle a few years of aging: 2023 and 2022, both very successful in Savoie, are the best choices right now.
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Why Chignin-Bergeron goes with raclette
In the raclette wine family, there are the sprinters (Fendant, Apremont), and then there’s Chignin-Bergeron, which plays the velvet card instead. The official specification of the AOC Vin de Savoie describes it with a golden color, aromas of yellow fruit (apricot first), vanilla, gentian and fresh almond, sometimes cut hay and dried flowers, and a full palate with a return of yellow fruit and pastry cream. A far cry from the little spritzy white.
The same text states that Roussanne gives wines here that are “often low in acidity,” generally “rich and full.” Let’s be honest: on paper, that’s not the profile that cuts through cheese fat best. But that’s exactly what makes it an interesting pairing. Where a very crisp white cleans the palate, Chignin-Bergeron keeps it company: its fruitiness and breadth stand up to strong flavors. With a smoked raclette, it soaks up the smoke without disappearing; with a peppercorn or herb raclette, it adds roundness; with a truffle raclette, it’s practically playing on home turf. Wine retailer Vinatis actually recommends it with raclette, Savoie fondue and Savoie potato gratin.
Our tip: if your table is planning three different cheeses, open an Apremont or a Fendant for the plain raclette and save the Chignin-Bergeron for the boldest cheeses. You’ll come across as a sommelier, and what’s more, it’ll be true.
The Chignin-Bergeron cru: what you need to know
A Roussanne that goes by Bergeron
Bergeron is the local name for Roussanne. According to the specification, it supposedly refers to a variety of apricot, which fits the wine’s aromas perfectly. And the rule is strict: Chignin-Bergeron is made exclusively from Roussanne. No blending, no secondary grapes. According to Vinatis, Roussanne accounts for only about 4% of Savoie’s vineyards, which explains why it’s harder to find than Apremont.
A south-facing scree terroir
The area of the appellation covers the villages of Chignin and Montmélian, plus the former village of Francin (now Porte-de-Savoie). The specification describes vines, often on the steepest slopes, overlooked by limestone cliffs, on stony scree where the roots reach down more than two meters, on hillsides that mostly face due south. The sun ripens the Roussanne, the stones keep it fresh: that’s where its blend of richness and elegance comes from.
Don’t confuse it with plain Chignin
A classic trap at the wine shop: “Chignin” and “Chignin-Bergeron” are two different appellations. White Chignin is a Jacquère wine (at least 80% of the plantings), crisp and light, close to Apremont. Chignin-Bergeron is pure Roussanne, and richer. Double-check for the word “Bergeron” on the label.
The best Chignin-Bergeron vintages
Unlike Apremont, Chignin-Bergeron can age: Vinatis gives it three to ten years. The assessments below come from iDealwine’s vintage scores for Jura and Savoie (whites rated out of 20, with both regions rated together). Those for 2024 and 2025 come from the press. They cover Savoie whites in general, not Roussanne alone, unless otherwise stated.
| Vintage | Quality / profile | When to drink |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | No reliable tasting assessment found for Savoie, so no opinion from us. The only pointer: in August 2025, well-formed bunches and good vine health (Pleinchamp). | Wait a little |
| 2024 | A harvest of just over 100,000 hectoliters, below the ten-year average (April frost, rain). According to the specialists cited by La Radio Plus, good-quality wines, lighter in alcohol. | Wait a little |
| 2023 | Jura and Savoie whites rated 17-18/20; according to iDealwine, the 2023 vintage in Savoie “is shaping up to be one of the most successful in recent years.” | From now and for several years |
| 2022 | Whites 17/20: “sunny and balanced” white wines. | Now or cellar |
| 2021 | Whites 15/20. A small harvest in Savoie (about -30%), a year with little disease pressure; very balanced Altesses, mineral and smoky Jacquères. iDealwine does not comment on Roussanne for this vintage. | Now |
| 2020 | Whites 17/20. A hot year, but less extreme than recent heat waves, with regular rainfall. | Now |
| 2019 | Whites 17/20. A fairly classic vintage in Savoie, with appealing whites, Roussanne included. | Now |
| 2018 | Whites 16/20. Some Savoie whites a little heavy and lacking acidity, notably Chignin-Bergeron, already inclined to an opulent profile (iDealwine). | Now, without waiting |
Our opinion for raclette: go for a 2022 or a 2023. Save older vintages for an aged cheese rather than a plain raclette.
How to serve Chignin-Bergeron
- Temperature: 8 to 11 °C (about 46 to 52 °F) according to Vinatis. Any colder and you flatten its aromas; any warmer and it feels heavy. Aim for the top of the range for a vintage that’s a few years old.
- Glass: a white wine glass slightly wider than a Fendant glass, to let the yellow-fruit aromas come through.
- Decanter: not essential. If the wine seems closed when you open it, pour a first glass and let the bottle breathe for a few minutes.
- How much: half a bottle per wine-drinking adult for the evening. If you’re serving several wines, pour it after the lightest white.
The other raclette wines
Back to the complete guide to wines for raclette. For a full Savoie lineup, pair it with Apremont and Savoie Gamay. And if you like aromatic, structured whites, our page on dry Alsace Riesling should be right up your alley.
Frequently asked questions
What grape is Chignin-Bergeron made from?
Roussanne, called Bergeron in Savoie. The AOC Vin de Savoie specification requires Roussanne exclusively for this appellation.
What’s the difference between Chignin and Chignin-Bergeron?
White Chignin is mainly a Jacquère wine, crisp and light. Chignin-Bergeron is pure Roussanne, fuller, richer and more fragrant, with aromas of apricot and yellow fruit.
Can Chignin-Bergeron be aged?
Yes, more than most Savoie whites: Vinatis gives it three to ten years of aging. For raclette, our personal preference is a wine that’s two to four years old.
Which raclette should I serve with Chignin-Bergeron?
The boldest ones: smoked, peppercorn, herb or truffle raclette. For a plain raclette, a crisper white like Apremont or Fendant is often more refreshing.
Sources
- AOC Vin de Savoie specification, approved by the decree of June 14, 2023 (French Ministry of Agriculture official bulletin)
- iDealwine: 2023 vintage scores (in French)
- iDealwine: 2022 vintage scores (in French)
- iDealwine: 2021 vintage scores (in French)
- iDealwine: 2020 vintage scores (in French)
- iDealwine: 2019 vintage scores (in French)
- iDealwine: 2018 vintage scores, North-eastern France
- Vinatis: Chignin-Bergeron AOC (in French)
- La Radio Plus: Savoie wines, lower yields but good quality for 2024 (October 2024)
- Pleinchamp: vine pull-outs make themselves felt in the 2025 harvest (August 2025)
