by Fred McMillin
for September 13, 1999

We're Pro Jadot

Prologue

 
Burgundy's Hospice de Beaune (oh-spees duh bone), founded in 1443, "is the most remarkable and beautiful building in the whole world of wine." (see photo)

...Hugh Johnson

The American public rates Louis Jadot, founded in 1859, the highest of all Burgundy producers, purchasing nearly five million bottles a year.

...Per-Henrik Mansson, Wine Spectator

$9,600 paid for a French Jeroboam.

...New York Times

The Rest of the Story

So, in our last tasting we had the best of all worlds...a LOUIS JADOT JEROBOAM from the HOSPICE DE BEAUNE! Some comments:

BEAUNE—Founded as a Roman camp by Julius Caesar. It became, and still is, the center of Burgundy's wine industry.

HOSPICE DE BEAUNE—The Lord Chancellor of the Dutchy of Burgundy and his wife founded the Hospice as a hospital for the poor and aged. Endowed by the gifts of vineyards through the centuries, it has become the seat of the world's most famous fund-raising wine auction in the world, each November.

JADOT—Louis Henri Denis Jadot founded the firm in 1859. A century later, grandson Louis Auguste Jadot was in charge, with great-grandson Louis-Alain in training. The Jadot line was intact. Suddenly, Louis-Alain was killed in an auto accident at age 23. Then, Louis Auguste died unexpectedly in 1962. In spite of the tragedy, the firm continued to do well. A member of the team, Andre Gagey took charge in 1962, with his son, Pierre-Henry Gagey, in training. When I last checked, Andre is Jadot chairman and Pierre-Henry is President, and quality is still king.

JEROBOAM—An oversized wine bottle of variable size, usually equivalent to four standard bottles in Burgundy.

Wine of the Day

1993 Beaune, Hospice de Beaune, Premier Cru
Maison Louis Jadot, Burgundy
Panel Comments and Rating—"Still developing two hours after opening." "Beautiful." "Yum." Rating-EXCELLENT.
Importer (who bought Maison Jadot)—Kobrand
Contact—Donna White, (212) 692-4626, FAX (212) 983-0774
Price—$495.00

Postscript —"You can't miss it."

Trust me. No need to ask where the Hospice is when you drive into Beaune. with that architecture, you'll spot it immediately.

About the Writer Fred McMillin, a veteran wine writer, has taught wine history for 30 years on three continents. He currently teaches wine courses at San Francisco State and San Francisco City College. In 1995, the Academy of Wine Communications honored Fred with one of only 22 Certificates of Commendation awarded to American wine writers.

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