Our drinks

Genepi an iconic liqueur from the Alps

Genepi an Alpine tradition

A symbol of the Alps, génépi is a plant of the mugwort family that grows at high altitudes, generally between 1,500 and 3,000 metres. It thrives in rocky, sunny habitats. This perennial plant has a slow and demanding growth cycle, taking several years to reach maturity.

It flowers in summer, mainly from late June to late August. Where permitted, small-scale harvesting is carried out by hand and must comply with specific regulations set by the prefectures: authorised areas, harvesting periods and limited quantities.

Several varieties of génépi are known, notably grey génépi – also called yellow or white depending on usage – black génépi, sometimes referred to as blue, as well as woolly génépi and snow génépi. Their aromatic characteristics contribute to the diversity of the liqueurs made from this plant.

Génépi liqueur is distinguished by its colour, which can range from golden to green, and by its floral and herbaceous aromas. Its level of sweetness depends on the recipes and preparation methods.

A recipe passed down through the generations

Génépi liqueur, which has long been made in Alpine families, is part of mountain tradition. Each family had its own recipe and would make this drink for their own consumption or to share during festive occasions.

Its history is said to date back to the Middle Ages. Like other herbal liqueurs, it was notably associated with the expertise of monks and traditional medicinal uses. In the 19th century, the growth of Alpine distilleries helped to spread its popularity. With the rise of ski resorts, génépi gradually established itself as an iconic mountain digestif.

Mount Corbier a liqueur made entirely from Maurienne grapes

a liqueur lecturer in history

Mont Corbier is a liqueur closely linked to the history of the Maurienne region. Its recipe is said to have been created in 1888 by Abbé Guille, a passionate botanist and doctor to the poor, who roamed the mountains to gather plants with medicinal properties.

Renowned for his knowledge of herbalism, he is said to have studied more than 3,000 plants. It was in 1888 that he developed a recipe combining around twenty aromatic plants, including woundwort, hyssop, camomile, valerian and gentian. This preparation was produced in collaboration with the distiller Vincent Bon.

A spirit inspired by the local flora

The name Mont Corbier refers to one of the iconic peaks of the Maurienne region. According to remarks attributed to Abbé Guille, it is said to be ‘one of the most beautiful mountains in the Maurienne ’. It is also on this mountain range that he is said to have gathered a large proportion of the aromatic plants used in the composition of his liqueur.

Brown in colour, Mont Corbier is characterised by a balance between sweetness and a distinct bitterness, accompanied by pronounced herbaceous notes. A speciality that bears witness to the historic link between mountain plants and the region’s distilling traditions.

The wines of Savoie the richness of an Alpine terroir

Nestled between lakes and mountains, the Savoyard vineyards are distinguished by the diversity of their terroirs and the richness of their grape varieties. Shaped by the alpine climate and the terrain, the vineyards produce wines with a wide range of profiles: from fresh, fruity whites to characterful reds, not to mention sparkling wines.

White grape varietiesfreshness and finesse

The Jacquère

the emblem of the Savoyards

The most widely grown white grape variety in Savoie, Jacquère produces dry, fresh wines with notes of citrus and white flowers. It is particularly characteristic of the wines of Apremont and Les Abymes.

Her Highness

a grape variety with character

Also known as Roussette, the Altesse grape produces full-bodied, aromatic white wines with notes of white fruit and honey. It is the grape variety that gives its name to the Roussette de Savoie appellation.

Roussanne or Bergeron

the richness of the aromas

Known as ‘Bergeron’ in Savoie, the Roussanne grape produces full-bodied wines with aromas of peach, apricot and flowers. It is the defining characteristic of Chignin-Bergeron.

The Gringet

a rare grape variety

Grown mainly around Ayze, in Haute-Savoie, Gringet produces fresh wines with citrus and floral notes. It is also used to make sparkling wines.

Red grape varietiesfruit and character

The Black Mondeuse

the emblem of the Savoyard Reds

The Mondeuse Noire produces full-bodied, well-structured wines with aromas of black fruit and peppery notes. It is particularly renowned in the Arbin appellation.

Gamay

fruit first and foremost

Gamay produces supple, fruity red wines with aromas of cherry and raspberry. It is particularly common in Chautagne and Jongieux.

Persian

a rare grape variety worth rediscovering

An ancient Savoyard grape variety that is rarely grown today, Persan is used to produce red wines full of character and bears witness to the richness of the region’s wine-growing heritage.

Pinot Noir

the finesse of red wines

Also grown in Savoie, Pinot Noir produces delicate wines with aromas of red berries, sometimes accompanied by more complex notes as they age.

Discovering the Domaine de l’Idylle

Fancy discovering the flavours of Savoie wines? Pay a visit to the Domaine de l’Idylle and let yourself be charmed by its wines and the diversity of Savoie’s grape varieties. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore the unique characteristics of the Alpine terroir and discover Savoie’s winemaking expertise.

Domaine de l'Idylle

Craft beers local expertise

Artisanal sparkling wines in the Maurienne region

In the Maurienne region, several local breweries are keeping the art of brewing alive. La Toussuire is no exception, with the Jananka Brewery, based in the hamlet of La Bise, in Fontcouverte-La Toussuire.

The man behind this brewery, Anthony Cortese, took up home brewing in 2017, using kit. In 2019, he decided to expand his business and set up his first vats in his garage. As interest in his creations grew, he gradually invested in suitable equipment to scale up his production.

The name Jananka is a combination of his family members’ first names, a personal nod to the origins of this craft brewing adventure.

Beers with a variety of flavours

The Jananka Brewery’s range offers several styles of beer to provide a variety of experiences: a pepper-flavoured wheat beer, an IPA, an amber ale and a light lager. Each recipe allows you to explore a different flavour profile, ranging from original notes to more classic styles.

The brewer’s expertise has also been recognised: in 2023, its IPA won a gold medal at the Lyon International Beer Competition. This accolade highlights the work of this brewery, based in the heart of La Toussuire.

Through its brews, Brasserie Jananka contributes to the diversity of craft beer production in the Maurienne region.

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Lemonades non-alcoholic fizzy drinks

Freshness made simple

The drinks from our mountains aren’t limited to wines and beers. In Maurienne, there are also artisanal lemonades, which offer an alcohol-free alternative, much loved for their freshness and fizz.

Whether plain or flavoured, they come in a range of flavours and offer a variety of delights at any time of day. They’re the perfect choice for a gourmet break, on a terrace or after a day spent enjoying mountain activities.

It’s another way to discover the diversity of artisanal drinks and satisfy every taste, whether you’re looking for something with or without alcohol.