Jaboulet Les Jalets Blanc

Totally delicious, delicate and vigorous. Let’s say it together... The Marsanne grape! Native to the Rhône Valley, where it was first mentioned in 1781, this variety now accounts for 8% of production in this area in western France. Neither its combination with Roussane and Viognier can eclipse the potential of this variety, which is used to produce great wines, like Jaboulet Les Jalets Blanc.

Power is the main characteristic of this white, a wine that fits perfectly in the definition of the Old World style, produced by one of the most traditional houses in France. It is almost impossible to mention the A.O.C. Crozes-Hermitage without thinking about this company, founded almost two centuries ago by Antoine Jaboulet in a small commune in the northern Rhône Valley. Its renown comes thanks to red wines like La Chapelle, one of the most emblematic in the world. However, their whites have nothing to envy. These grapes grow on stony soils, where sands and white kaolin are mixed and under a temperate climate, which is sometimes dry and influenced by the mistral wind.

Jaboulet Les Jalets Blanc is harvested by hand and the grapes are quickly taken to the winery. Before fermentation, they are selected, carefully pressed and left to settle until the yeasts start to work. The stainless steel tanks are key during this whole time, always maintaining a controlled temperature. At the end of fermentation Jaboulet Les Jalets Blanc is left to settle on the lees for a few months.

Jaboulet reds always appear in recommendations of wines to try before you die. In general, these are highly prized bottles, which can take a lot of hard work, and money, to find. Until that chance comes, why not start with the whites? Why not start with Jaboulet Les Jalets Blanc?