Regularly missed by customers, this uncommon type of wine is as complicated because it comes. From its ‘yellow’ title to its squat-sized bottle to its distinctive, nutty flavour profile, it’s simple to grasp why Vin Jaune doesn’t at all times get the like it deserves. These within the know are conscious that these particular wines provide a few of the most gratifying, thought-provoking ingesting experiences on the planet, nonetheless. Nonetheless don’t absolutely perceive the type? We’re breaking down all the pieces it’s worthwhile to find out about it right here.
The commune of Arbois within the Jura. Credit score: Vicki Denig
What’s Vin Jaune?
Produced within the Jura area of japanese France, Vin Jaune is a dry type of white wine crafted from the Savagnin grape. Moreover – and most significantly – the wine ages for six+ years underneath a skinny layer of yeast (referred to as sous voile ageing in France) previous to bottling, which helps the wine obtain its distinguishable flavour traits. ‘Vin Jaune is comparable in type and flavour to Fino Sherry, aside from the truth that it’s non-fortified,’ mentioned Lauren McPhate, Director of Gross sales at Tribeca Wines. ‘This sous voile ageing imparts distinctly aldehydic flavours of brine, curry and nuts,’ she commented.
Courtney Wieland, Director of Personal Purchasers at Thatcher’s Wine Consulting, added that Savagnin destined for Vin Jaune is harvested later, in order to attain larger potential alcohol after fermentation. ‘Fermentation happens slowly and the wine shouldn’t be topped up, which permits for the voile to develop,’ she mentioned, including that along with taking part in an enormous position within the ultimate wine’s flavour profile, the voile additionally protects the wine from oxidation.
Why ought to I drink it?
Wieland revealed that exterior of Sherry, there are few wines like Vin Jaune in the marketplace – and the 2 types aren’t precisely interchangeable. ‘While you take a better look, or style, it’s far totally different from Sherry and fairly distinctive,’ she mentioned, highlighting that along with being produced from totally different grape varieties in several soils, Vin Jaune doesn’t endure fortification in the way in which that Sherry wines do. ‘The pure atmosphere within the Jura cellars helps the creation of the yeasts. This defines Vin Jaune and separates it from different wines made in an identical means, making a singular wine that may age indefinitely,’ she mentioned.
What does it style like?
Based on McPhate, the distinctive cellar circumstances and manufacturing strategies used to create Vin Jaune outline the ‘excessive type’ of the wine. ‘It’s bone dry, has a full and unctuous physique, and intensely complicated flavours – there aren’t any different nonetheless wines prefer it,’ she mentioned. McPhate described the wine’s partial cask ageing – which imparts mild oxidation – plus the sous voile ageing (which retains oxygen at bay) as making a ‘supremely distinctive wine of paradoxes that’s crisp but heady, and sophisticated but nuanced’. Flavours usually related to Vin Jaune embrace toasted nuts, dried apricots, curry, mushroom, toast and brine.
Why the Clavelin?
Merely put, tons of evaporation. McPhate defined that because of the vinification and ageing means of six plus years, a great deal of wine is misplaced within the course of. ‘Due to the size of the winemaking, a good portion of the wine evaporates over time (referred to as the angel’s share), and so it’s bottled in a particular Clavelin of simply 62cl,’ she mentioned.
Who would most get pleasure from Vin Jaune?
‘Vin Jaune is a premium wine for a extremely engaged client,’ McPhate mentioned, noting that the extraordinary flavours and bone dry type will possible attraction to Sherry drinkers, or ‘adventurous winos on the lookout for one thing means exterior the on a regular basis field’. She additionally talked about that given the wine’s pungency and lengthy, layered end, the type might additionally vastly attraction to whisky drinkers.
Wieland acknowledged that though she usually reaches for Vin Jaune on the finish of a meal, this versatile type of wine might be loved at any level within the expertise. ‘Some folks assume which you could solely drink Sherry, Champagne or different types of wine – Vin Jaune included – to start out or finish a meal, and that’s merely not true,’ she mentioned, stating that the wine pairs superbly with a wide range of beneficiant sauces and heartier dishes (and is equally gratifying by itself with out meals).
On that word – don’t neglect the meals pairings
Credit score: Hemis / Alamy Inventory Photograph
Wieland famous that for those who haven’t been uncovered to Vin Jaune or Sherry earlier than, tasting it for the primary time might be fairly a shock. Her suggestion? Pair it alongside meals to see what the wine can do, then enterprise additional. ‘Comté cheese is an superior pairing – it’s a basic for a cause,’ she revealed. ‘Should you get pleasure from Sherry or extra esoteric wines, it’s undoubtedly one thing you’ll get pleasure from.’
Moreover, McPhate famous that signature autumn flavours of savoury mushrooms and pungent curries are additionally wonderful pairings, although when unsure, Comté reigns king. ‘To persuade even essentially the most sceptical of this relatively sudden type, one merely must have a bit of 24-month Comté cheese with a style. There are few extra profound pairings!’
