By Jamie Drummond for Wines of Jura, a “Certified Good Food Fighter”

Click for a close-up: Toronto Jura Tasting April 12

For many years I have been so utterly fascinated by the various wine styles of Jura, that intriguing little region snuggled in between Burgundy and Switzerland. Perhaps this love affair is born from the fact that Jura produces such unique wines, wines whose distinctive flavour profiles and intriguing complexities tend to lie far outwith the taste spectrum of the average wine drinker.

In fact, in years past, when serving such wines by-the-glass at the Jamie Kennedy Wine bar, I was always sure to add the caveat “Warning: Not for the feint of palate!” to the wine’s listing, thus saving much returned wine. You see the wines of Jura are not something that everyone “gets”, particularly if one is unfamiliar with their “eccentricities”… but me, I am simply GREEDY for the pleasures they bring.

With this in mind, I was delighted to be approached by Wines of Jura with regards to assisting with the organisation of an exclusive tasting of Jura wines from 13 different Jura producers, who will be pouring white, red, crémant, vin jaune, vin de paille, and macvin.

Utilising Pinot Noir, Savagnin, Poulsard, Trousseau, and Chardonnay, I believe that Jura produces some of the most interesting and challenging wines in the wine world today, and this trade tasting is surely a splendid way to become acquainted with them.

It takes a very particular style of establishment/Sommelier to present and pair these wines successfully… and also a very particular style of wine agent to be able to successfully carry such wines in their portfolio.

With this in mind I am seeking out Sommeliers and Agents who would “get” the wines of Jura that will be shown on Tuesday April the 12th

Almost all of these wines are currently unrepresented in Ontario, despite having a healthy following in Quebec… so it will be interesting to see which wines you think could work in the Ontario market.

The tasting will be held at The Spoke Club at Queen and Portland, with Evan Saviolidis of Tidings Magazine presenting a short seminar, something that I feel will be most valuable for those of you with little or no experience of these truly eye-opening and mind-expanding wines.

The seminar begins at 1pm with the Trade Tasting commencing at 2.30pm

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TASTING IS FOR TRADE ONLY and is not open to the public.

There will be no admission without an official invitation.

For an official invitation please email Vincent Lafortune at lafortune@llpx.ca giving your full trade credentials.