The Mémoire de la Vigne Association
is pleased to present…

Jacquet

 Jacquet (or Jacquez in the Cévennes region of France ) is a Franco-American hybrid variety originally created from the French varieties Vitis Viniféra, Vitis Aestivalis and Vitis Cinerea.

Jacquet, known also as Lenoir (a county in South Carolina ), Black Spanish, French Grape and Cigar Box Grape, has strange origins. It was brought from Ohio to Natchez , Mississippi by an old Spaniard by the name of Jacques. It was, in the end, this name that prevailed.

Widely-grown across the south of France , Jacquet was successful as a “vin d'assemblage,” or, a wine used in the making of other wines, from the end of the 19 th century though the middle of the 20 th . It even appears on the list of vine varieties legally authorized in the making of Chateauneuf du Pape until 1935 and then unofficially until 1956.

Nonetheless, the cultivation of Jacquet is restricted by climactic and geographic limitations – more specifically, an incompatibility with chalk-rich soils. Today in France , its growth is limited to the area comprised by the Parc Naturel des Monts d'Ardeche . In the sunny valleys of the Cévennes region, the stalks and broad, decorative leaves of the Jacquet vines, over 100 years old, blend beautifully with the dry stone walls that overhang the rivers. The optimal conditions of sunlight and sloping exposure allow for the development of a colorful, rich, flavorful wine .

The Vins d'Antan vintage is harvested in early October. Once put into vats, the wine is primarily composed of Jacquet but also benefits from a small amount of Herbemont (a close cousin of Jacquet). The wine is then aged in barrels for twelve months.

Cuvée des vignes d'antan, l'analyse d'un grand sommelier

The following is a translation of the tasting review of the Vignes d'Antan given by Stéphane Debaille, voted Best Young Sommelier of Languedoc-Roussillon (1998-1999) and awarded the Ruinart Prize for Best Sommelier of France (1992):

“A rich garnet color with deep purple highlights – both brilliance and clarity succumb to the richness of its robe.

Thin, regular legs creep down the sides of the glass to rejoin the surface.

The color augurs a lively, young wine.

The nose is straightforward, pleasant and well-developed with hints of blackberry and blackcurrant preserves.

Letting it breathe intensifies the aromas, allowing the floral characteristics – violet and peony – to emerge. Hints of mild spice with vanilla and licorice notes burst forth to create this richly subtle and complex bouquet.

Full-bodied, thick, round flavors are backed up by a firm structure and finish on smoothed-out tannins.

The appropriateness of the acids, alcohol and tannins is perfectly harmonious and offers a balance of exceptional quality.

A wine that comes very close in finish to the characters found in its bouquet – berry flavors, mild spices, vanilla, and menthol.

This wine is best served at 16ºC (about 60º F) and easily accompanies any refined, flavorful cuisine.”