France — wine

Jurançon Wine Region

Jurançon, in the Pyrenean foothills south of Pau in Gascony, produces France's most distinctive sweet white wines from Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng grapes — picked in late harvest (sometimes November) after the Foehn wind concentrates the berries on the vine. Jurançon Moelleux (sweet) and Jurançon Sec (dry) both achieve extraordinary complexity. The wines' combination of tropical fruit, honey, saffron, and vibrant Pyrenean acidity make them unique in French wine. King Henri IV was baptised here with Jurançon wine.

Year Rating Notes
2023 Pyrenean conditions allowed late harvest; Petit Manseng concentrated beautifully under autumn sunshine.
2022 Outstanding south-west France vintage; warm summer followed by ideal autumn Foehn winds producing Jurançon of exceptional concentration.
2021 Reliable vintage; careful late picking delivered characteristic Jurançon of balanced sweetness and Pyrenean acidity.
2020 Excellent Jurançon vintage; perfect autumn conditions allowed extended late harvest producing wines of exceptional complexity.
2019 Landmark Jurançon vintage; ideal Foehn wind conditions in November produced the finest Petit Manseng of the decade.