Friday Night Wine School, Jura & Savoie - Distinctive Wines from the French Alps

Join us for our attendance-limited, signup-only Friday night tasting!  Tastings are held on the back patio with a max of 10 people per time slot.

Savoie and Jura are two neighboring, often overlooked, wine regions located in the eastern part of France, near the Swiss border.  There are shared characteristics between the wines of Jura and Savoie - cooler climates and unique geological conditions, which contribute to the production of wines with distinctive characteristics.  But each region has its own unique styles, grape varieties, and winemaking traditions that create a distinct identity for their wines. Exploring both regions can offer a fascinating journey into the diversity of French wines.

In Jura, the vineyards are planted on sloping hillsides with limestone and clay soils. The region is known for its indigenous grape varieties, such as Savagnin, Poulsard, and Trousseau. One of the most unique wines from Jura is Vin Jaune, a yellow wine made from Savagnin grapes that undergoes a special aging process in oak barrels. Vin Jaune has a rich, nutty flavor and is often compared to a dry Sherry. Jura also produces other styles of wine, including white wines, red wines, and sparkling wines, each with its own character. 

In Savoie, the vineyards are situated in the foothills of the Alps. The region has a cooler climate and a diverse range of soils, including limestone, schist, and clay. Savoie is known for its crisp, refreshing white wines made from local grape varieties like Jacquère, Altesse, and Roussanne. These wines often exhibit vibrant acidity, mineral notes, and citrus or orchard fruit flavors. Savoie also produces light-bodied red wines from grapes such as Gamay and Mondeuse, as well as sparkling wines.

The combination of unique grape varieties, terroir, and winemaking techniques in Jura and Savoie contributes to their distinctiveness in the wine world. If you're interested in exploring lesser-known and unique wine regions, we hope you'll join us!

-We will hold our tasting outside on the patio from 5:30 PM to 8 PM on Fridays weather permitting, if it rains we move inside to the back of the shop.
-Your $5 tasting fee is refunded when you purchase a bottle of wine from the tasting. Limit 1 refund per bottle per customer.
-Please arrive 5 minutes early for you time slot as we may not be able to move you to another spot.
-No waiting in line for your taste of wine in a plastic cup and snippet of info. During your time slot you will have the presenter's undivided attention as you learn about and taste the wines from Riedel glassware.
-When your tasting is over you can browse and shop or enjoy a glass or bottle at our indoor and outdoor tables.