I always liked the wines of the Rhône valley, but after the Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France, I became fascinated with the wines of the Rhône valley. I have them regularly now for lunch and dinner, along with reds from Bordeaux and Bourgogne and dry whites from Germany.
We had considered to visit the Domaine Grand Veneur in Chateauneuf du Pape on the 2018 tour, but in the end did not stop there. Instead we visited Domaine du Pegau, Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique, Château la Nerthe and Château des Fines Roches in Châteauneuf du Pape. On the next tour (planned for 2020), we will stop at Domaine Grand Veneur for sure and taste the outstanding wines of Vignobles Alain Jaume.See: UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: March 1, 2019)
When I received the announcement that Helene Jaume of Domaine Grand Veneur would be in town and conduct a tasting at Chain Bridge Cellars in McLean, I immediately signed up for Annette Schiller and myself. It was, as expected, a great event with world class wines.
Chain Bridge Cellars: Invitation
As Robert Parker wrote about Domaine Grand Veneur a few years ago:
"This estate, owned by the Jaume family, has been on fire over the last decade. The wines are made in a polished, civilized, modern style, but they do not lack Provencal or Chateauneuf du Pape typicity."
We're thrilled to have Helene Jaume join us on Sunday, March 3, to share the story of this outstanding Southern Rhone estate and introduce you to some of their most exciting, if not so often seen, wines. Helene and her brothers Sébastien and Christophe grew up in Chateauneuf du Pape as their father, Alain, built the estate and now are jointly leading the house to new heights.
We'll pour eight wines during Helene's visit, including two stunning whites (a specialty here!) and a Tavel rosé that proves the contention that good rosé just improves with a little time. If you're a long-time Southern Rhone fan then this is a great opportunity to get to know one of the best - and best value - estates now working from the heights of Gigondas to the far hills of Ventoux. And if you're just getting into the bold, rich, wines of the Rhone, this is an exciting introduction to just how delicious (and well priced!) these wines can be.
Alain Jaume: Our Origins
Helene Jaume: In the 14th century, during their stay in Avignon, the popes built a papal castle in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Impressed by the area's exceptional “terroir” (the soil and its growing conditions), they planted vineyards around the castle on terraces covered with smooth rounded pebbles.
Established in the northern part of Châteauneuf du Pape, the Jaume family has been dedicated to the art of wine growing since 1826.
This venerable profession is our legacy, but above all it is our passion, requiring discipline, perseverance and a respect for nature and the challenges she presents us with. Every vintage is different from the last and we must skillfully adapt our growing techniques to the ever-changing behaviour of the vines, the grapes and the terroir.
Our aim, as skilled wine growers, is to produce, carefully and lovingly, wines that are intense, rich and complex and that reflect and embody the wonderful terroir of the southern Rhône Valley.
Our labels are stamped "Alain Jaume", with humility but also with a certain pride, as our name represents the guarantee of our constant commitment to your satisfaction.
Vignobles Alain Jaume
The Jaume family first planted vines, under the label Grand Veneur, in 1826. Five generations later, in 1979, Alain Jaume took over, now with the help of his two sons, Sébastien and Christophe, and daughter Helene.
The Jaume family holds five brands. The acquisition of Domaine de la Grangette Saint Joseph in 2015 took the total area owned by Alain Jaume to over 200 hectares:
Domaine Grand Veneur in Châteauneuf du Pape
Domaine du Clos de Sixte in Lirac
Chateau Mazane Vacqueyras
Domaine de la Grangette Saint Joseph at Jonquières in the Vaucluse (Côte du Rhône Appellation)
Alain Jaume (Négociant)
Impressions from the Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, Franc
Here are a few pictures from the Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours. See: Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
See also:
Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France
The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône
The Tasting
We tasted 7 wines with Helene Jaume.
Alain Jaume Tavel Rose Le Cretace 2017
Alain Jaume Vacqueras Grande Garrigue 2016
Château Mazane Vacqueyras 2016
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf du Pape Vieux Terron 2016
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Le Miocene 2016
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Les Origines 2016
Domaine Grand Veneur Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge Veilles Vignes 2011
Thanks
Many thanks Doug and Helene.
I am looking forward to the next tasting at Chain Bridge Cellars, with Christian Holthausen, on March 31, 2019.
See: Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagne House AR Lenoble in Epernay, with Christian Holthausen - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
schiller-wine: Related Postings
Announcement: ombiasy WineTours in 2019 - Germany-North and Bordeaux
Ombiasy Wine Tours 2018: 3 x France and 3 x Germany - Ombiasy Newsletter December 2017
UPCOMING Tours/ Wine Dinners/ Tastings - Annette and Christian Schiller/ ombiasyPR & WineTours/ schiller-wine, Germany, France, USA (Issued: March 1, 2019)
Rhône Valley Tour December 2017: From Lyon to Avignon - Wine, Food, Culture, History
Understanding the Wines of the Rhône Valley: The Classification - AOC/ Vin de Pay/ Vin de France
The Rhône Wine Region in Southern France and its Wines: History, Classification, Northern and Southern Rhône
The Rhône Valley seen through Christian Schiller's Camera - Rhône Valley Tour 2018 by ombiasy WineTours: Wine, Culture and History, France
A Journey through the Rhône Valley - Seminar at the 2018 American Wine Society National Conference in Buffalo, New York State, USA, led by Annette Schiller
Cellar Visit and Tasting at the Champagne House AR Lenoble in Epernay, with Christian Holthausen - Burgundy (and Champagne) 2016 Tour by ombiasy WineTours
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