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.

The Tour de France, Basque Chicken and Chateau Jolys Jurançon sec white wine

The Tour de France finally heads into the beautiful Pyrénées. We look forward to sitting back and enjoying the gorgeous scenery (and the wines of the region, contained in our Taste the Tour Pack.) 

To get in the mood, we have prepared a delicious Basque chicken casserole typical of the region (using the recipe on the SBS website originally published by Margaret Fulton.) We modified it a little by adding some powdered Pimento de Espelette that we had squirrelled away in the pantry. We bought a small container during our last trip to the south-west of France. It adds a gentle warmth and smoky depth of flavour. A tiny bit of chilli powder would be an alternative.  

And just in case we are still hungry late in the evenings, we have picked up some delicious hard sheep's milk cheese from our friends at Jones the Grocer. 

We are planning to enjoy this with one of our favourite (and best-selling) wines. The versatile and award-winning Chateau Jolys Jurançon sec- a perfect match with the chicken, the cheese, or seafood, or a few nibbles or just to match the scenery! ....

Stage 17: Jurançon Wednesday July 23 - Saint-Gaudens : Saint Lary Pla d’Adet 124.5 km

At 125 km, the shortest stage comes just after the longest. A difficult stage through the Pyrenees mountains. Three category one climbs including the Col de Peyresourde before finishing in the mountain ski resort town of Saint Lary Pla d’Adet.

 Wine 3    Chateau Jolys, Jurançon Sec, 2011

A delightful, complex, fruity but dry wine. From the excellent 2011 vintage, this wine is from one of the most beautiful and under rated regions in France. 92 points Huon Hooke. A great alternative to sauvignon blanc. Tropical fruits and citrus on the palette. Crisp dry finish. Our best selling white. 

Suggestion:  It would be a perfect match with seafood and shellfish, but also goes down a treat with pre-dinner nibbles and dips as you watch the highlights.