The history of the Jura, a small pocket of picturesque hills tucked between Dijon and Geneva, is rich.  Though less than 1 percent of the overall production of wine in France, and oftentimes overlooked by peopled seduced by the glamour of Burgundy, the Jura is still home to France's most egnimatic and perhaps greatest wine: Château-Chalon.

It is said that Napoleon was corrected once by the Prince von Metternich when hearing that his Johannisberg was the world's greatest wine.  Rather, claimed the Prince, the most exhilirating wine came from France, at Château-Chalon.

What makes the wine so unique is that it is kept in barrel for a minimum of six years before release without ever topping off.  This gap gives rise to the veil, or voile, of yeast that protects the wine as it gently breathes in oxygen.  The result is a deeply rich, and extremely complex aromatic wine that ranges from the vegetal and spicy to nutty and fruity. 

On August 30th, Michael Solway, of Martine's Wines returns to the Boiler Room to present the wines of Berthet-Bondet, a relative newcomer to Château Chalon. Established in 1984, Jean and Chantal Berthet-Bondet revived the dormant estate over a 16th Century vaulted cellar, vinifiying grapes harvested with low yields and "lutte raisonnée".  Harvesting traditional varietals and culminating with its pièce de résistance, the esteemed Château Chalon itself, Berthet Bondet fashions electric, exhilarating wines that Jean and Chantal among the elite of the appellation.

Michael will be pouring the Berthet Bondet Crémant de Jura, a citrus fruit filled sparkler with an attractive roundness made from Chardonnay and the native Savignan.

Rubis, Berthet Bondet's red wine, is a blend of native grapes Trousseau and Poulsard with and touch of Pinot Noir is savory and earthy while offering a nose full of mixed berries.  

The grape Savignan is crafted in a variety of ways, from the clean, non-oxidized Naturé, to Château Chalon, the ultimate expression of the grape.  Harvested from some of the best locations in the Jura, the Château Chalon is ageable to a ridiculous 100 years or more.  It is the true connoisseur's wine.

We are proud to present a focused dinner like this and happy to see Michael again.  And as fall approaches, the wines make for a perfect fit for the menu.

Though menu is still being formulated, it will be four courses featuring whole roasted hampshire piglets and the indominable Comté cheese.  The cost is  $85/person before tax and tip and reservations can be made here or by calling 402-916-9274