By DEAN TUDOR

The Time and Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009  1 PM to 6 PM
The Event: Vins du Jura trade tasting.
The Venue: Park Hyatt Hotel, 4 Avenue Road, Toronto, 416- 925 1234
The Target Audience: wine trade and wine press.
The Availability/Catalogue: about none of these wines currently available; suppliers looking for representation.
The Quote/Background: 19 producers were in the show, which also visited Montreal.
— Anne Popoff led a seminar on the various wine styles from the Jura.
— In general, the pinots noirs were coarse.
— The Macvin du Jura is similar to the Pineau des Charentes.
— Vin Jaune and Château Chalon (below) are acquired styles, possibly for fino sherry lovers.
— Vin de Paille make an interesting dessert wine.
The Wines: prices hard to determine, especially since the French do not seem to want to reveal them to the press. The Living Vine repped Domaine André et Mireille Tissot as a biodynamic wine. Domaine Labet brave in only showing some pretty good chardonnays, five of them at differing price levels.
**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Domaine André & Mireille Tissot Arbois Savagnin 2005, $43.95
— Domaine Désiré Petit Arbois Pupillin Essen’ciel Blanc Floral 2006
— Henri Maire Château Chalon Vin Jaune 1998, $39.95
— Domaine de la Borde Savagnin Les Écrins 2004.

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88-90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Domaine Daniel Dugois Vin de Paille 2005
— Château d’Arlay Côtes du Jura Vin Jaune 2001
— Domaine Berthet Bondet Château Chalon 2002
— Domaine de la Renardière Arbois Pupillin Les Terraces Savagnin Ouillé 2007
— Caves Jean Bourdy Chateau Chalon 2002
— Domaine de la Renardière Arbois Pupillin Vieilles Vignes Chardonnay 2006

*** Three Stars (85-87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
— Domaine Benoit Badoz Côtes du Jura Cuvée Victoria Savignin Quille 2006
— Domaine Benoit Badoz Côtes du Jura Cuvée Arrogance Chardonnay 2006
— Domaine Daniel Dugois Vin Jaune 2002
— Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Savagnin Bio 2004
— Domaine Rolet Père et Fils Arbois Vin Jaune 2000
— Henri Maire Crémant du Jura NV Chardonnay, $18.95

The Food: bread, cheeses and salami.
The Upside: a good opportunity to taste a variety of Vin Jaune and Château Chalon wines.
The Downside: very few of the wines were available in Ontario. The FOB prices I got were very high.
The Contact Person: aude.guivarch@ubifrance.fr
The Marketing Effectiveness (numerical grade): 85.

Chimo!

Dean