Highlights
- Jacquère is a white wine grape variety.
- It is especially associated with Savoie in the French Alps.
- Wines made from it are usually light-bodied, fresh and lively.
- Prominent acidity is one of its typical features.
- Aromas may be delicate, lightly floral or subtle rather than intensely ripe and fruity.
- You may see the grape name, or a Savoie place or regional name, on the label instead.
- The spelling is Jacquère, with a grave accent on the final “e”.
The quick answer
Jacquère is a white grape variety from the French Alpine region of Savoie. It generally produces pale, dry white wines with light body, lively acidity and a refreshing style. The wines can have delicate or slightly floral aromas and are often made for drinking relatively young.
Jacquère is strongly associated with Vin de Savoie, the regional wine designation, and with Savoie areas including Apremont and Les Abymes. These names refer to a regional or geographical wine context, not to alternative names for the grape itself.
What does Jacquère wine taste like?
A typical Jacquère-based wine is more about freshness and energy than weight or richness. Expect a light frame, bright acidity and a clean, refreshing impression. Some examples may show subtle floral or lightly scented aromas.
Those are broad tendencies, not guarantees. The finished wine can change depending on the vineyard site, growing conditions, ripeness at harvest, crop level and winemaking choices. A riper harvest or different approach in the winery may produce a wine with more texture or concentration, while a cooler site or earlier harvest may emphasise its brisk, lively character.
Jacquère is also sometimes described as giving a lightly sparkling impression. That does not mean every Jacquère wine is sparkling; it is a description of how some wines can feel on the palate.
How might it appear on a label?
You may encounter Jacquère in several forms:
- Jacquère — the grape name itself
- Vin de Savoie — a regional wine designation
- Apremont or Les Abymes — Savoie names associated with wines that may be based on Jacquère
A label that names Apremont or Les Abymes may not put Jacquère prominently on the front. Nor should every wine carrying one of those names be assumed to be identical or automatically made entirely from Jacquère without checking the relevant rules.
Jacquère is a grape, not a winemaking method or a general term for Alpine white wine. It is also separate from Altesse, commonly known as Roussette, another white grape associated with Savoie.
How do you pronounce Jacquère?
The accent matters in the preferred spelling: Jacquère. An approximate English guide is “zhah-KEHR”, with the final sound given a light French-style pronunciation. This is only a practical approximation, rather than a precise phonetic transcription.
The grape also has documented local names, including Plant des Abymes, Cugnette and Molette de Montmélian. These should not be confused with unrelated grape varieties.
What does Jacquère mean for Australian wine drinkers?
For Australian readers, Jacquère is most likely to appear in the context of Savoie or imported Alpine-style wines. The sources reviewed for this explainer do not establish significant current Australian plantings or commercial production, so Jacquère should not be described as a major Australian variety—or as definitely absent from Australia.
The useful takeaway is simple: if you see Jacquère, think of a Savoie-associated white grape that commonly produces a light, fresh and high-acid style of wine.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jacquère a grape or a region?
Jacquère is a white grape variety. Savoie is the French Alpine region most closely associated with it.
Is Jacquère the same as Roussette?
No. Roussette is a common name for Altesse, a separate Savoie white grape.
Is Jacquère always sparkling?
No. Some wines may give a lightly sparkling impression, but Jacquère is also used for still white wines.