Prune Tart, Gabriel Gaté, the Tour de France and Chateau Jolys Cuvée Jean: French classics!

The Tour de France is moving towards a climax of racing in the Pyrénées! We are looking forward to the mountain racing, enjoying the wonderful scenery and  sipping a classic wine of the region. This excellent not-too-sweet dessert wine is being poured by some of the most famous restaurants in Australia. Recently wine critic Huon Hooke awarded it 95 points! Its available to enjoy as part of our Taste the Tour 6 pack.

Stage 18: Jurançon

Thursday 24 July -

Pau : Hautacam

145.5 km

Today the riders start in Pau the city of Henri IV - who was baptised with the wine of Jurançon. Pau has welcomed the race in style, 65 times, which puts it on the podium with Paris and Bordeaux as the most visited cities of the Tour. Today they climb the Col du Tourmalet, always a challenge. Next up, the final climb up Hautacam, which has earned a hallowed place in the history of the Tour.  Sit back and enjoy the ride with one of the famous wines of Jurançon. 

 Wine 4 Château Jolys, Cuvée Jean, Jurançon, 2010

The nose presents notes of honey, apricot and peaches.  The palate is fresh, powerful yet smooth.  Petit Manseng at its very best with fabulous length and balance.  This wine, like many from Jurançon, is pleasantly sweet without a cloying finish.  Best served with one of the classic cheeses of the region or a fruit gateau.

Suggestion: This wine was matched with a gorgeous Gabriel Gaté tart on an episode of Taste of the Tour. If you don't have a chance to macerate some prunes and bake a tart, a cheese or fruit platter would be a perfect late night #tourdesnack.