From: Jura, France
Varietal: Ploussard
Taste: In the glass, the 2021 Ploussard offers a delicate balance between the traditional and the innovative. Its pale color belies its depth of flavor, producing an earthy, gamy flavor profile that surprises and delights. It strikes a fascinating balance—almost a cross between Gamay and Frappato—with its refreshing notes of wild strawberry, cranberry, red currant, hibiscus, and spice, all underlined by a light earthiness.
Pairing: This ultra-light-bodied red is a wonderful choice for a wide array of culinary delights. Its refreshing acidity, coupled with its unique balance of earthy and fruity notes, renders it an incredibly adaptable companion to many dishes.
For a quintessential French experience, try it with jambon and beurre baguettes. The wine's lightness will not overpower the simplicity of the baguette, while the ham's saltiness will beautifully offset the wine's tangy fruit profile. It is also an exceptional match for a spread of charcuterie and fromage, savory tarts or quiche, and mushroom omelets, where the earthy notes of the wine echo the mushrooms' umami flavors.
About. The Lornet family was among the pioneers in bottling Arbois AOP wines, with Frédéric representing the third generation to oversee the domaine. Their winery, ensconced within a 13th-century Cistercian Abbey, boasts cool cellars that are kept cool by creamy limestone walls. The winery overlooks a patchwork of vineyards, averaging 30 years in age, covering 16 plots once marked out by the abbey's monks.
Lornet's modern winemaking approach, focusing on the freshness of the wines, contrasts with the ancient setting. A careful pressing and racking process, followed by slow, controlled fermentation in stainless steel and then aging in neutral oak, all contribute to creating Chardonnays that shine with the purity of flavor and terroir.
In the words of Master Sommelier Ian Cauble, “This Jura Chardonnay illustrates that a cleaner, more modern style of winemaking doesn’t need to sacrifice the personality of a region...it’s a touch wilder and more fun than that." This delightful and exceptional value-for-money wine is a testament to the revival and revolution in the Jura, signifying a bright future for this ancient wine region.
