The World’s Most Famous Wine Society

                 The Jurade's harvest ceremony is one of the most impressive wine events in France

The year was 1199.  England controlled the Bordeaux region.  King John (the brother of Richard the Lionheart), commissioned the forming of a brotherhood of Bordeaux wine in in the medieval town of St Emilion, located across the river from the city of Bordeaux.  Known as the Jurade, this elite organization received special privileges from the English Crown.  In return, England was given the first rights to Bordeaux's wine. 

The Jurade was composed of St Emilion’s top winemakers.  The freedom provided to the wine brotherhood, allowed the Jurade to maintain rigorous quality control.  If the vintage was poor, winemakers were encouraged not to make wine that year.  Over 800 years later, the Jurade of St Emilion is still active.   Wine-Knows’ participants on the upcoming harvest festival tour to Bordeaux will be guests of the Jurade at their extravaganza private luncheon.

                       June Dunn, owner of Wine-Knows, became a member of the Jurade in 2016

On September 21, Wine-Knows will attend a private breakfast in St Emilion’s City Hall with the Mayor and members of the Jurade.  Dressed in long flowing theatrical red robes, the Jurade will depart city hall in unison and parade down the crowd-lined cobblestoned streets (with Wine-Knows marching right behind them in the procession).  This is one of the most important events in the Bordeaux wine district.  Photographers and television cameras abound.  Security is tight.

            The blessing for this year's vintage will be conducted in St Emilion's impressive church

The procession of the Jurade will continue all the way to St Emilion’s church where a mass for the blessing of the harvest will be held.   Next, the new members of the Jurade will be inducted in the Cardinal Palace's former medieval moat. Wine Knows will have seats to witness this impressive spectacle.  Then, Champagne & hors d'oeuvres will be served in the gardens of the moat while spectators & photographers watch from the above ramparts.

       The Jurade luncheon is a regal event that will long be remembered

The coup de etat, however, will be the private luncheon in one of St Emilion’s most famous palaces.  As June Dunn is a member of the Jurade, Wine-Knows will attend this once-in-a-lifetime event.   At the last Jurade lobster was the first course, foie gras the second, and the main was a tenderloin of beef.   Ten bottles of Premier Cru St Emilion adorned each table for 8 persons.  The lunch typically lasts for 3-4 hours.

A toast to the Jurade of Bordeaux!

 

 

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Grenache—Sensational Summer Red

 

                        Grenache is one of the world's most versatile wine-making grapes 

Few red wines work during hot summers but Grenache is one of the exceptions.  After all, Grenache accounts for about 75% of the seductive wine blends of Chateauneuf du Pape in France's Rhone Valley.   While many mistakenly think the Rhone's popular Grenache is from France, in fact it is Spanish in origin.  Known as "Garnacha" in Spain, this late ripening red grape needs plenty of hot weather.  It's no wonder, therefore, that Grenache grows in Spain and the south of France where summers can be sizzling.

Grenache is one of the most versatile red grapes in the world.  It produces that can range from lighter to full-bodied; from simple and less costly ones that offer immediate gratification, to complex, multi-layered gems that are both cellar-worthy and pricey.  It's no wonder why Grenache is in the top ten of the planet's most planted grape varietal. 

While Grenache has moderate tannins to provide structure, this wine is all about fruit.  Think red fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, plums and cherries.  Depending upon the terroir, Grenache can also offer black fruit flavors such as blackberries.  Grenache, however, differentiates itself from other fruit forward wines because of the spices such as cinnamon or star anise, as well as subtle nuances of floral notes.  It's like a well-orchestrated symphony with the string, woodwind, brass and percussion sections all working together in perfect harmony.

The modest tannins and red fruit flavors means Grenache can work well with a variety of summer dishes, especially foods that have smoky or charred flavors.  Grilled poultry, meat and veggies all pair beautifully.  Grenache's spicy undertones also accentuate BBQ foods that have spices in the sauces.  Serving tapas?  Garnacha is a perfect choice as an aperitif.   Moreover, Grenache can work with desserts that reflect the red fruits of the wine.  Berry cobbler?  Perfect!   Strawberry shortcake?  Bravo!

One last tip for serving Grenache during hot weather:  make sure there's a slight chill on it.  Sixty degrees is perfect....but remember, room temperature is seventy and outside summer temps of eighty degrees can drastically dampen any wine's strengths.   

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