Savagnin Ouillé Domaine de Sainte Marie 2017

With its boisé and mineral character, the Savagnin Ouillé by Domaine de Sainte Marie highlights the qualities of this indigenous Jura grape variety, also vinified in the ouillé style, meaning through aging in barrels that are always kept full. Traditionally, Jura wines were mostly vinified in barrels left partially empty in the sous voile style. However, more recently, following the success of the great whites from the nearby Burgundy region, aging in topped-up barrels, known as ouillé style, has also become popular in the region.

Domaine de Sainte Marie Côtes du Jura Savagnin is a pure expression of the homonymous white grape variety, cultivated using eco-sustainable methods. The grapes, harvested at the ideal stage of ripeness, undergo white vinification through spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in oak vats using only indigenous yeasts. Subsequently, the wine is transferred to oak barrels where it matures for 24 long months, during which periodic toppings are carried out to compensate for the liquid lost to evaporation, thus preventing wine oxidation.

Visually, the Côtes du Jura Savagnin by Domaine de Sainte Marie displays a straw yellow hue with bright golden flashes. The olfactory profile is composed of intriguing fruity aromas of white peach and lemon zest, adorned with floral sensations of chamomile and lime blossom, and spicy and boisé nuances due to the prolonged wood aging. On the palate, it is dry and fairly light, yet with good softness and presence to balance the pronounced freshness and minerality. It is a Savagnin that is good when young but can age gracefully for several years, pairing well with seafood dishes or Oriental cuisine.