Pau to Saint-Lary-Soulan, France – Day 14
Pau is the Capital of the former province of Béarn and is considered the gateway to the Pyrénées. The city embraces nature, with over 750 acres of parks and gardens containing an amazing number of rare plants. It sits on the edge of a plateau 130 feet above the Gau de Pau, which flows from the Pyrénées.
From the Boulevard des Pyrénées, you get an amazing view of the mountains.
Jurançon AOC
The region of the Jurançon covers 25 villages south of Pau. This is part of the Béarn wine-growing region. Vineyards here are planted on steep hillsides in the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountains.
The primary grapes are Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, Courbu, Camaralet de Lasseube, and Lauzet.
Camaralet de Lasseube was a new grape to me. I looked it up and found that it is very rare. This grape only produces female flowers. The wine tends to be lower in alcohol and has bold spice and pepper notes.
Lauzet, also new to me is also endangered. In “Wine Grapes” First edition, it says “The total area recorded in France for 2006 was less than 2 ha (5 acres).
They produce white wines that are both sweet and dry.
White wines both sweet and dry are made in the Jurançon. Sweet Jurançon is golden and fruity, dry Jurançon fresh and powerful. Late harvest Jurançon has hints of honey.
Articles for more details
Domaine Cauhapé
We wrote about the region a few years ago when the Tour de France held a time trial there. French Poets, Philandering Kings, and a little sweetness from the Jurançon.
We sipped a late-harvest wine from Domaine Cauhapé, which is considered to be one of the finest estates in the region. We paired it with pan-seared Fois Gras with apple puree and orange reduction.
Saint-Lary-Soulan
The remainder of the day takes us into the Pyrénées, finishing in Saint-Lary-Soulan, a mountain village and ski resort in Aure Valley of the Hautes-Pyrénées.
For more information on all of the Stage’s of the “Tour de France”
Wine along the “Tour de France” – 2024
Robin Renken is a wine writer and Certified Specialist of Wine and WSET 3 Certified. She and her husband Michael travel to wine regions interviewing vineyard owners and winemakers and learning the stories behind the glass.
When not traveling they indulge in cooking and pairing wines with food at home in Las Vegas.
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“Tempting Spoonfuls – small bites paired with wines from around the Globe” – This book takes us around the globe to explore 12 wine regions, a wine from the region, and then gives you a recipe for a pairing!
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