From: Jura, France
Varietal: 100% Chardonnay
Tasting Notes: Bright aromas of white flowers, peach, apricot, vanilla, and hazelnut. An inviting pale golden color, the wine is lean and focused upfront but quickly expands on the palate with verve and opulence.
Pairing: Do like the locals, and fall in love with Comté cheese! To become an educated lover of this renowned French cheese, there’s nothing like going behind the scenes of its production. For this, follow the Routes du Comté. The first stage is at the farms, where milk from Montbéliarde and Simmental cows is carefully collected, the only ones allowed for the making of AOC Comté.
The historic Domaine Pignier can trace its roots back to the 13th century in the village of Montaigu, which is located 40 km south of Arbois in the appellation Côtes du Jura.
The vineyards are in blind valleys that cut into the Jurassic shelf and are composed of a diverse array of clay-limestone soils. The Pigniers are deeply devoted to natural viticulture – certified by both Demeter and Ecocert – and with the only plantings in the village, they happily farm without the influence of surrounding domaines (that might not share their philosophy).
The range of wines includes the traditional varieties of Savagnin, Trousseau, Poulsard and Chardonnay. The Pignier’s natural approach is carried into the cellar with the use of indigenous yeasts, aging in cold, underground 13th century cellars (in combo of barrels, demi-muids, foudres and concrete eggs), minimal use of sulfur, and no fining or filtration. Purity is the name of the game at Pignier!
