The white wines of the Jura are some of the most expressive, interesting and unusual in the world. Aged in oak for extended periods without being touched, some of the wine evaporates and a yeast film, known as flor, forms over the surface of the wine, preventing it from completely oxidising. The resultant wines are wildly complex - cumin, hazelnut, yellow apple and salt. This adds white peach and chalk to the profile, along with zesty acidity. Special.

There are many, many beautiful wine regions in the world, each with something special to offer that eventually finds its way into every bottle and every glass. However, the Alpine French region of Jura, which is where we find the stunning Domaine de Montbourgeau, might just take the crown. Here, lush green grasses, sparkling rivers, and snow-capped vistas form the backdrop of the Domaine’s vineyards, with the cool climate allowing for the perfect bite and crispness in their characterful Cremant wines. It is, to put it simply, practically perfect in every way. Situated in the village of Etoile (French for ‘star’, supposedly because of the starfish fossils found in the local soils - how cool is that?), Domaine de Montbourgeau has been at the heart of the Cremant du Jura industry since the 1920s. In 1987, it was taken over by the granddaughter of the family operation, the formidable Nicole Deriaux, who set about modernising the winery and bringing a more holistic approach to the Jura varieties of Savagnin, Trousseau, and Poulsard, as well as Chardonnay, all of which are grown on site. The resulting wines are the very essence of Jura - and the perfect introduction to those seeking to explore this wonderful corner of France.