Wine days out in the French Alps Skiing in winter, walking or biking in summer, gazing at the fabulous scenery at any time, most visitors to the French Alps come to appreciate the mountains. But, for a wine lover it's well worth taking a day out of your schedule to explore the interesting Savoie wine areas , and sample the unusual wines produced in the small wineries dotted along the valleys. The wines you will taste are usually far better than you will be offered in an Alpine resort hotel or chalet. From the towns of Chambry, Aix-les-Bains or Albertville, or even if you are up in one of the ski resorts (many within an hour's drive), a day trip to the vineyards is more than feasible. The Savoie vineyards are quite scattered, but the most concentrated area is around Chambry, at the foot of Mont Granier in the crus of Apremont and Abymes, and between Chambry and Albertville in the valley called the Combe de Savoie, with a beautiful stretch of vineyards on the south-facing foothills of the Bauges mountains. Franois and Philippe Tiollier Coming from Albertville, one of the nicest vineyard drives I know is between Frterive and Montmlian. Earlier this year, I took a friend along this road to visit the welcoming Tiollier brothers of the lovely-named Domaine de l'Idylle in the village of Cruet. Ever-smiling Franois and Philippe divide the work in this domaine that produces both white and red wines, primarily from Jacqure and Altesse