Wines of the Jura

[David Lloyd]

Hi all. I am feeling more positive today, its 36 hrs since the rains stopped and I have walked the vines and gave them a very positive report card. I have now sprayed copper and sulfur do hopefully mildew will not happen.

So my mind wandered to my vacation in Sept where we rent some gites in France. The first is in Eguisheim and the second in Chavanay near Condrieu. I mapped out the drive and see I go thru Arbois, home of Jura wines. I can't remember ever having a wine from the Jura. So I will stop for a few hours and hopefully find some nice wines and a place for lunch. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. Cheers, David

 

[lars makie]

Here's a write-up by Georg here about his trip to Arbois (where I was supposed to meet up with him if weren't for a particular Icelandic volcano) a year ago. There's a lot there, but it should help you out. I don't know if he stopped into Les Jardins or not, but it seems like a place you can definitely pick a few things up at.

So, if you're just spending an afternoon in Arbois, I'd make sure to hit Hirsinger's for a chocolate pick-me-up, Grapiot for lunch and Les Jardins or the Tissot store front for some wine (I can't remember if Domaine de la Tournelle has a store or not, if so check in to that).

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

Lars, your first link loops right back to this thread. If there's a write-up on an Arbois visit, it'd be great to have access.

Thanks.

 

[lars makie]

originally posted by Ian Fitzsimmons:
Lars, your first link loops right back to this thread. If there's a write-up on an Arbois visit, it's be great to have access.

Thanks.

Thanks for the heads up. I don't know what's going on. There seems to be a bug. Every time I paste a URL into the code it saves it as "5%C". No idea why. Politburo?

Until the html can get fixed, if you (or anyone) want to find the thread do a search for 'grapiot' it's the first thing that comes up

 

[Jeff Grossman]

Le voila: click.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

Lars, when you say "Les Jardins" do you mean the shop in Ampuis?

 

[lars makie]

originally posted by Jeff Grossman:
Lars, when you say "Les Jardins" do you mean the shop in Ampuis?

Ok, First how did you get the html to work? Every time I copy and paste the URL into the code it fucks it up. Grrr. Thanks though.

Second, no I was just being short with it. It's a wine shop in Arbois called Les Jardins de St. Vincent. Let's see if this'll work.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

That worked. Perhaps you just did not have the right thing in the cut+paste buffer.

 

[Politburo]

Some improvements are being made to the site in accord with the 5-year plan.

 

[Sharon Bowman]

This Politburo does it twice as fast.

 

[lars makie]

Thanks for watching over us dearest Politburo. I'm going to make you a bumper sticker that says "Politburos do it twice as fast!"

 

[Unknown]

Five year plans get their name for a reason. Quantity and Quality may vary, but not time. I am sure this is in the FAQ, somewhere.

 

[Ian Fitzsimmons]

I remember now. Nice post to re-read, though. We've been grooving on Tissot's Cremants lately, both the Brut and the Indigene.

 

[David Lloyd]

What can I say except: "I'm there". Great work folks. My friends, Wendy and I will spend the day there and since it is not that far from Chavanay where we are renting our Gite .....

Any thoughts on food/wine visits for our start and finish points folks? Now I feel lazy but Georgs insights were exactly what we all like doing. We have a week in Eguisheim and a week in Chavannay (near Condrieu). I am told two places worthy of a visit in Chavanay are Domaine Cuilleron and Stephan Montez ie Dom Monteillet

Any suggestions of food and Ventes Directe for either Eguisheim or Chavanay are most welcome. Yes, I'm greedy asking for more advice.

Interesting day at cellar door today as Rolf Binder and Noel Young who produce Magpie Estate dropped in. I didn't realize that Noel would probably also know about Arbois/Jura. Anyhow, Georg has us inspired.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

The only Condrieu makers I'm even partly aware of are Dom. Niero. They have excellent viognier vineyards; the syrah less so.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by David Lloyd: I am told two places worthy of a visit in Chavanay are Domaine Cuilleron and Stephan Montez ie Dom Monteillet

Let me guess, these recommendations did not come from here?

It all depends on your tastes.

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Rahsaan:
Let me guess, these recommendations did not come from here?

Heh.

 

[David Lloyd]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by David Lloyd: I am told two places worthy of a visit in Chavanay are Domaine Cuilleron and Stephan Montez ie Dom Monteillet

Let me guess, these recommendations did not come from here?

It all depends on your tastes.

A friend who visits Beaujolais regularly and works with Jean (Chat Bluizard) to bring D & J barrels to Aust suggested Dom Monteillet and a local mate suggested Cuilleron. I tend to drink Chard, Gamay and Pinot so both regions are off my radar. I have tried many big name Northern Rhone such as Chapoutier and Graillot and the only ones I liked had stellar prices. I quite like Cote Rotie and some GSM style Southern Rhone wines but despise Brett so need to be careful. Yes, my idea of Terroir is not Brett.

 

[Rahsaan]

So you liked Chapoutier and Graillot? That certainly leaves doors open.

Nothing wrong in the abstract sense with the two producers you mentioned. But there's a lot inbetween Montez and Cuilleron and Despised Brett.

One recent thread you might find interesting: http://winedisorder.com/comment/56/4705/

 

[Levi Dalton]

I had a taste of Villard "Les Terrasses" '04 Condrieu this evening and it wasn't at all as oaky/terrible as I would have presupposed. Rather mineral driven and nice, I thought. We are talking about a small taste here, though.