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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Germany’s Hidden Wine Gem: Mosel Valley

             The Mosel River in northwest Germany is home to fairy-tale villages & fabulous wines
 

Germany's Mosel Valley, near the Luxembourg & French borders, has been on my bucket list for decades.  Many years ago I was very fortunate to attend the German Wine Academy for a university-level summer course.   I still remember the day we studied the wines of the Mosel Valley.  In those days professors used slideshows to set the stage for the wines we were about to taste.  I have not forgotten the oohs-and-aahs when photos of the spectacular Mosel River Valley appeared on the classroom screen.   These gasps continued throughout the tasting of the Mosel's wines.

                                My visit was perfectly timed for the next village's annual wine festival.

I arrived some days ago in the Mosel Valley.   Both the scenery and the wines are even more stunning than I had imagined: dramatic almost ninety-degree vineyards plunging into the peaceful river, Hansel & Gretel villages filled with half-timbered houses & cobblestoned streets, and medieval castles dotting hilltops.   It’s all a Germanic wine Disneyland for even the most discerning of wine lovers.

                            These 2 couples were enjoying one of the first sunny days in September.

Riesling is the star attraction of Mosel wine.   If you’re scrunching your nose in disapproval it probably means you’ve never had a well-crafted Riesling.   Also, if you’re thinking sweet wine, stop!  Many Rieslings from the Mosel are dry.  Beloved by serious wine connoisseurs and sommeliers, a young Riesling offers lemon-lime (think a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc), along with interesting mineral and floral nuances.  Aged Riesling, on the other hand, becomes fuller and richer with traces of petrol. (Yes, petrol!  But, somehow this seemingly off-putting aroma works!)     

This extraordinary restaurant listed on their menu the actual name of the local man who shot this wild boar in a nearby forest.  It also featured 164 wines BY THE GLASS, along with hundreds by the bottle.

After several days of winery visits, dinners & a local wine festival here are my top two Mosel choices out of the delicious >30 wines I tried---both are available in the US market:

~ 2022 Selbach-Oster's Zeltinger Schlossberg "Bömer" Dry Riesling:   $45

~ 2018 Dr. Loosen's Erdener Treppchen Riesling Grand Cru Alta Reben:  $50

If you find either of these gems, grab them quickly!   BTW: Riseling’s high acidity makes for an especially food-friendly choice.