Down in the Jura, preparations are in hand for the annual wine festival - the Percée du Vin Jaune 2007 at Salins-les-Bains (39 Jura, Franche-Comté -- see map).
For an insiders view and tips, John and Carolyn Scallon who run a B&B at Sens-sur-Selle offer the following thoughts - AND are also offering a weekend special:- 2 nights B&B accommodation with a special tasting dinner featuring many of the wines of the Jura.
"Once again it is approaching the first weekend in February and once again the Jurascian wine world is bracing itself for it's big weekend out. The Percée du Vin Jaune is this year taking place in the Spa town of Salins les Bains on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th Feb. The caves are open from approx 1300 - 1800 each day. After the success of last years event in Lons le Saunier where approximately 40,000 people paid to taste up to 10 wines Salins has taken on the challenge. As the Percée is a moveable feast the host for next year's bash is already being chosen. It is the turn of the Southern Revermont for 2008 with the tiny village of Vincelles, near Beaufort among the candidates. Should they be awarded the Percée it will be a return to the old style of hosting where the visitors outnumber the hosts by about 50 to 1! What is the Percée? Simply it is the release of the new vintage of Vin Jaune, probably the most celebrated of the AOC's of the Jura. Don't be surprised if you haven't heard of it. As yet few in Britain have but there's always hope. Unlike the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau which has spent almost two months in the vat (and sometimes appears to have spent far less) Vin Jaune has spent six years three months in second hand oak barrels (bought from Burgundy vignerons) prior to it's release. All this waiting means the wine has to be something special. The festival is run by a different town or village each year and this year the most northerly town within the Jura vignoble has opened it's doors and cellars to the wine drinking public. Every cellar, shop store room and the like will be rented out by their owners to either the winemaker direct or to the CIVJ (Comite Inter-professional Vins du Jura). As well as the cellars there will be a few marquees for a couple of the larger producers and the ubiquitous food stalls. You need something to soak up the wine! Last year was the first time that the Percée had taken place in a town centre, previously they had been held in a different village each year, but there will be a difference in ambience again this year. Salins les Bains is a much smaller town than Lons le Saunier and because of it's history as a Spa town has quite a few facilities for visitors. The 70 (approx) winemakers who chose to exhibit their wines at the Percée will stretch out along the whole length of the town and attempt to lure you in to taste, and hopefully buy. The routine is that you park nearby in special car parks and either walk to the centre or catch a free bus. Those who are going to taste the wine pay the entry fee (in 2006 it was €10) and receive an engraved tasting glass and 10 tickets. The tickets are in three different colours. 6 of them (yellow in 2006) will entitle you to a tasting measure of Cotes du Jura, Crémant (please try this, it can be stunning) and other "normal" wines. Please note that Jura wines can be very different from what you expect. If you are expecting a dry Chablis style Chardonnay because it's the same grape variety forget it. You have to taste it to get to know it in the Jura. 3 of the tickets (orange in 2006) are for the Vin Jaune or it's slightly upmarket brother Chateau Chalon. This is the special wine, not made by all of the exhibitors, that is being "feted" this weekend. Matured in old oak barrels and never topped up in it's six year three months maturation this wine has a taste that really will make you think. The remaining ticket (orange and yellow in 2006) entitles you to a measure of Macvin. Not a wine found in MacDonalds but a blend of grape juice and Marc du Jura. This is the spirit that is distilled from the pips, stalks and skins of the grapes that have been pressed. The net result is a sweet aperitif style wine of about 15 - 16 degrees. The largest producer in the Jura, Henri Maire, doesn't accept the tickets but just hands out free wine! However they have a very active team of salesmen on hand in their marquee and getting away without buying will take a big effort, especially if you're visiting them last! Should you be driving or a lifelong teetotaller with a masochistic streak you don't have to pay to get in. As the event is on the main street and the shops are open in the normal way the organisers can't stop you from just walking up the main road. You don't get the tasting tickets and glass but you can just wander around to your hearts content .The driver can leave the car keys at the Police tent near the main entrance and, on returning, blow into the breathalyser, pass the test, receive the keys back and an engraved glass. If you wish to borrow a glass and a ticket from your friends that's up to you. The measures are not large, you are there, allegedly, to taste different wines, not to get slaughtered. Drivers be warned. French Police do not need a reason to stop you for a breath test, and our own experience will tell you that they will be on most of the roads leaving Salins on the lookout. All in all it is a very special weekend with the great and the good of the Jura wine world there, a good time being had by all, and it will probably snow! It has both times we've been! Fear not though, the wine keeps you warm. Here at Chateau Scallan (www.bandb-burgundy.com) we're offering weekend special, 2 nights B&B accommodation with a special tasting dinner featuring many of the wines of the Jura, all for €80 per person based on two sharing a twin/double room. All of our knowledge will be thrown in for free!"
