Virtual Wine Wednesday - Savoie & Jura

Two of France’s smaller wine regions are Savoie and Jura in the East of the country.  Most people only come across wines of these regions, if at all, when skiing in the French Alps.  This is a pity as the two regions produce some unique styles of wine from local, indigenous grape varieties found nowhere else.

Join us for a “Wine Wednesday” virtual visit to French ski country as over 3 weeks we will explore some fascinating wines from grape varieties that most people have never heard of.

As ever, this event is presented via “Zoom” for an hour or so over three Wednesday evenings with two great wines to sample per week, and as you don’t have to leave your home no dedicated driver is required!

Week 1 – 10th August

We start in Savoie, the closest wine region to the French Alps, and our first wine is a traditional method sparkling wine, made principally from local variety Jacquère.  Our second wine is a red from local variety Mondeuse, which is a close relative of the famous Syrah of the Rhône valley, which is not too far away.  It features red and black fruit and supple tannins and can be served lightly chilled, ideal for a warm summer’s evening.

• Crémant de Savoie AC: Domaine de L'Idylle Brut NV – Retail Price £18.95
• Savoie AC: Domaine de L'Idylle Mondeuse 'Le Tithonien' 2020 – Retail Price £15.25

Week 2 – 17th August

Completing our look at the wines of Savoie we have an example of an old vine Jacquère made into a still wine.  You can almost smell the mountain air with stone fruits and a long finish making this another great wine for summer.  Go and find some Raclette cheese!

Moving North we now visit the Jura region for the first time.  This region lies between Burgundy and Switzerland and both Burgundian varieties – Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, feature in the local vineyards.  However, we eschew their familiar charms to look at three unique local varieties.  We start with a red wine made from Poulsard.    This is Jura’s iconic pale-coloured light-bodied red but with reasonable levels of tannin and acidity giving it the structure to cope with hearty grilled sausages.

• Savoie AC: Domaine de l'Idylle 'Vieille Vigne' Blanc 2021 – Retail Price £14.90
• Arbois AC (Jura): Poulsard Domaine Jean-Louis Tissot 2019 – Retail Price £14.95

Week 3 – 24th August

We continue our look at the wines of the Jura with a variety famous for its association with the unique Vin Jaune (yellow wine) – Savagnin.  This variety is perhaps the closest domesticated variety to the wild Vitis Vinifera European vine that is the origin of all the varieties that we know today.  Its natural high acidity is ideal for producing oxidised wines such as our example here (aged for only one year, not six years like Vin Jaune).

Finally, another red wine, this time from the Trousseau variety.  Again this is a light bodied variety but with spiciness and a certain “rustic charm”.  Also a very old variety that is close to the original wild grapevine.

• Arbois AC (Jura): Savagnin Domaine Jean-Louis Tissot 2018 – Retail Price £22.00
• Arbois AC (jura): Trousseau Domaine Jean-Louis Tissot 2020 – Retail Price £17.95

As usual, we have partnered with a wine merchant to supply the wines directly to you.  In this case we are working with Yapp Brothers, a specialist in French wines from lesser-known regions. 

Once you have signed up to the course, Yapp Brothers will contact you to arrange payment and delivery of the wines which will cost £104.00 plus £12.50 for delivery. 

If you wish to avoid the delivery charge, make up your order by £21.00 to reach £125.00.

We do not sell wine.