Jurançon wine
Jurançon wine was undoubtedly the first wine in the world to obtain the "appellation contrôlée" (A.O.C. is the official French designation which guarantees the area from which a wine has come, the method by which and the grapes which which it is made) as a guarantee of its quality. It was granted by the Parliament of Navarre in the 14th century
In 1553, the future King, Henry IV, was baptised with a drop of Jurançon wine. The golden wine was then hailed as the "wine of the King and the King of wines".
It enjoyed such royal acclaim until the 19th century.
Small parcels of vines are tucked away in the sunny coombs spanning from the terraces of the Castle of Pau to the chain of Pyrenees mountains.
With an altitude of 300 metres, the climate is a combination of harsh mountain weather and humid mildness from the ocean.
In the autumn, the wonderful Indian summer in the Bearn region and the southerly wind are ideal for the passerillage (or drying of the grapes): an over-ripening of the grapes which provides Jurançon wine with its unmistakable mellowness.
The local grape varieties are adapted to the climate: very high vinestock to avoid spring frost and very resistant grapes.
The Gros Manseng is the basic grape variety for dry Jurançons and young mellow wines.
The Petit Manseng with small berries produces the best mellow wines which age well.
The Corbu, Camaralet and Lauzet add a spicy touch.
This wine has long since proved its worth.
It is sold worldwide and in particular in Northern Europe.
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