Arbois Vin Jaune Dugois 620ml 2009/11

Arbois Vin Jaune Dugois 620ml, distinctive, flor yeast, nutty, regional wine. Aahh the Vin Jaune, more than perhaps any other wine, this is not for Marlborough Sauignon devotees! Vin jaune or 'Yellow wine' is a special and characteristic type of white wine made in the Jura region in eastern France. It is similar to dry fino Sherry and gets its character from being matured in a barrel under a film of yeast, known as the voile, on the wine's surface for a minimum of six years and 3 months. Vin jaune shares many similarities with Sherry, including some aromas, but unlike Sherry, it is not a fortified wine. It is made from the Savagnin grape, incredibly (as it tastes nothing like it) it is a relation of the Gewurztraminer. This vin jaune is probably a bit of an infant, having only just emerged from its yeasty veil but already showing the extreme nutty and cheesy flavours characteristic of this distinctive wine. These mellow yellows will go well with foie gras, chicken with morels, trout with almonds and various strong Jura cheeses.

This father and son duo have a saying on the estate, that 'the wine resembles the winemaker', so they strive to create wines of passion and care. The estate is 10 ha and sits in the perfect location between the villages of Arbois, Salins-les-Bains et Poligny. The vines are cultivated using lutte raisonnée, which minimises chemical intervention and respects the soil. Their wines are typical of the region, using local grape varieties such as Savagnin and Trousseau, and employing flor yeast ageing to create distinctive and traditional wines.