Wine of the Week! 06/10/24

Domaine Demeure-Pinet Jacquère

Normally $16.99 / Now on Sale for $13.96
100% Jacquère (Vin des Allobroges IGP)

Vin des Allobroges is an IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée - Protected Geographical Indication) in southeast France (near the Alps) that stretches throughout three AOCs — Vin de Savoie, Rousette de Savoie, and Seyssel. As is the case with IGPs, winemakers making Vin des Allobroges wines can use a wider range of grapes (and methods) than the more regulated AOC regions can. (The “C” in “AOC” stands for “Controlée” after all.) In this IGP, you can use Burgundian varieties like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Aligoté. However, you’ll also see Vin des Allobroges winemakers using “approved” local grapes like Altesse and — as is the case here — Jacquère.

Jacquère is a white grape that Savioe is known for. Like many cold climate grapes, it produces high acid wines. It is also aromatic with a pleasing minerality.

Here, we find it in the hands of mother, father and daughter, Chrystèle, Philippe, and Maryline Pinet. Using organic practices, they oversee south-facing sloped vineyards in limestone-clay soil — 70% of which are devoted to white grapes, with almost all of those being Jacquère. The Pinets ferment the grapes for this single varietal Jacquère in stainless steel before letting the wine rest in the tanks on its lees throughout the winter.

The result is dry and fresh with citrus notes and a bracing minerality that makes this wine ideal for cheeses and seafood. It’s got the clean taste of an Alpine white with a developed character to the grape.