It might sound strange, coming to Chamonix for a wine tasting or to visit wine and food producers. But it's one of Chamonix's best-kept secrets and something that Sam is determined to shout about.

Evening wine tastings and day trips: taste the best wines of the Savoie (France), Aosta Valley & Barolo (Italy) and Valais (Switzerland) - from 30€ per person. Email us now >>

We find ourselves close to wonderful wine-producing regions in France, Italy and Switzerland - each with its own fantastic local cheeses, saucissons, jambon cru and much else.

Evening tastings in the chalet

A guided evening tasting in the chalet is a lovely way to taste some of the excellent wines produced in the French Savoie, Italian Aosta Valley and Swiss Valais regions, accompanied by local cheeses, meats and nibbles. We taste 8-10 wines, starting at 5pm and finishing in time for dinner. Tasting notes and supporting info are provided. The cost is 30-40€ per person depending on the wines selected and group size.

Wine-tasting day trips in Italy, Switzerland or France

Enjoy a day trip as part of a ski/board, golf or summer activity holiday (read about a Barolo day trip here). Each trip is guided and includes lunch at a local restaurant of note. We visit no more than 2-3 wine producers per day and, depending on time, can also visit a local dairy or meat producer en route. Travelling by comfortable minibus, you will have the opportunity to purchase wines to take home. Day trips cost 75-125€ per person including all tastings and transport (excluding lunch) - final price depends on itinerary and group size.

Short breaks (up to 5 nights)

If you really take your wining and dining seriously, why not visit all three countries on a short break of up to 5 nights? You'll enjoy 3 day trips as described above, plus accommodation in the chalet. Prices start at £295/413€ for up to 5 nights.

Switzerland - le Valais, 'Cotes du Rhone Superieures'...

Did you know that the Rhone rises in Switzerland and, at its closest point, flows just 20 miles from Chamonix? No, not a lot of people do.

Just an hour from Chamonix, the Valais region is home to some beautifully made white and red wines, based on fascinating indigenous grape varietals like Petite Arvine and Humagne Rouge, as well as from better known international varietals such as Pinot Noir, Gamay and Sauvignon Blanc.

The scenery is quite spectacular - vineyards perched on the lower flanks of snow-capped mountains", basking in the sun. The wines aren't cheap, but once you've tasted some of them, you can see why those canny Swiss only export about 2% of their production (keeping the rest for themselves…)

Italy - Aosta Valley and Piedmont, land of Barolo and Barbaresco

Through the Mont Blanc tunnel in Italy, you're into the Aosta Valley, home to some of Europe's highest vineyards (1200-1300m). The Blanc de la Salle et Morgex is a refreshing stunner, while the reds are light in style and mostly based on the local Petit Rouge grape.

It's then only a short run down to Piedmont, home to some of Italy's most famous reds. Barolo and Barbaresco are the two most widely known - huge wines, capable of long ageing, perfect with deep, hearty mountain dishes. But the Barbera grape grown widely in Alba and Asti is also worth exploring - a lighter style of wine, jammy and fruity. The whites aren't bad either - whether a lightly sparking spumanti/frizzanti or a Gavi white made from the Cortese varietal.

France - Savoie, wines that will surprise and delight

Approximately 90 mins' drive from Chamonix lie the vineyards of Chignin and Jongieux, both close to the Lac du Bourget and, in the case of Jongieux, also benefiting from the influence of our old friend again, the Rhone.

Much of the Savoyard wine served up in chalets and mountain restaurants is at best mediocre, at worst vile. It's a shame, because the region produces some stunning stuff.

Whites include everyday wines made from the local Jacquère grape, real one-offs like the hauntingly aromatic Roussette de Savoie, plus varietals grown elsewhere in France such as Roussanne (known here as Bergeron). Reds are mostly based on the Gamay or Mondeuse grapes - generally quite light, fruity and best served lightly chilled.