Génépy is the signature alpine liqueur of the Aosta Valley: a bitter-sweet green spirit distilled from Artemisia genepi, a plant that grows at altitudes above 2,000 metres and flowers in short windows during the summer. The plant is legally protected and the harvest strictly limited, which makes properly made Génépy a genuine regional product rather than a commodity. It is served as a digestivo after meals, sometimes dropped into a cup of coffee (a caffè corretto), and occasionally used in cocktails by more adventurous bars.
Several bars along Via Sant'Anselmo and around Piazza Chanoux specialise in the valley's local spirits and wines, with shelves of small-batch Génépy from different valley producers alongside grappa, other alpine distillates, and a good selection of Aosta Valley DOC wines. A tasting comparison between different Génépy producers reveals considerable variation — some are more herbal and dry, others sweeter and more floral. The local preference is for the drier version, drunk cold from a small glass after dinner.