Jura Bargains + Beaujolais Party 3.0

Heyy, Fionn as per usual this Thursday.

We’re stoked to announce our latest direct import has landed and is tasting better than we could have dreamed of. We’re not only very good at what we do but we’re also very kind. With quality this high and quantity so low we are being rather generous (perhaps foolish) by offering these to you at what can only be described as a steal.

Thibaud Pierson is the latest among a new crop of young winemakers calling Jura home. He doesn’t come from a wine making lineage, but his time with Valetin Morel and Bornard means he’s had his fair share of guidance.

L’Ampelographe is a predominantly Chardonnay and Savagnin that sees Thibaud’s experimental hand add in a dash of Aligoté. At first, the Savagnin dominates with its spicy, yellow fruit and given time the herbal side slowly starts to show its face. The last pour was smokey and salty, a full-on umami bomb akin to only the finest Mezcals. I’ve tasted little like it. This is unique and fun. I’d easily pay double and then some.

Thibaud also kindly shared with us a juicy blend in the form of Vin des Anciennes. Here the fruit is crunchy and wild with an earthy rusticity the region's reds do so well. At 10% this deserves to be plunged into an ice bucket and drunk with abandon. Charcuterie would also be more than appropriate. Proper vin de soif, proper bargain.

Jura aside what else is new? Some excellent new skinsy stuff has also graced the shelves. Ginger is a savoury blend of Marsanne and Roussane. Textured, pithy and perhaps the label is deceiving but even a little gingery. This one feels very apt as we approach spooky season and would be great with the associated foods of a similar colour.

I’m also very fond of this Sicilian number made from the lesser spotted Cataratto Extra Lucido. For those like me who are simply unable to grasp any sort of foreign language that means ‘extra shiny’. Seems wasteful not to leech out as much flavour from the skins then and the result is maceration full of Mediterranean salted sunshine. I'm often guilty of consuming this for a lazy dinner alongside a fancy tin of fish and a good hunk of bread. You could do a whole lot worse.

Lastly, a cheap Chardonnay that isn’t sh*t. A negociant based in Burgundy but spreading their net wide across France. We get an un-oaked expression that feels rounded, stone-fruited, and creamy. I’m really in my Chardy era atm and this helps scratch that itch without ballin’ out on the big guns.

The Salon was such a roaring success we’ve also just released tickets most anticipated piss-up of the year. Beaujolais Ancien is back for the third year in a row and it's gonna be huge. This year we'll have the pleasure of pouring wines from our own producers, some of the hottest new talents from everyone's favourite red wine region, alongside all the old faves too. Say no to nouveau, we're about the good stuff over here.

Come hang, drink and party down with some of the most iconic Gamays you can get your grubby paws on, sat alongside some banging raclette courtesy of our pals over at Jumi Cheese. Unmissable is a word that comes to mind.