this oenophile from Jura has dedicated her life to a passion for wine and the transmission of knowledge

The least we can say is that this wine enthusiast lives up to its name. In the Jura, Marie-Thérèse Grappe is far from being unknown in this sector, notably for having founded the Association of Oenophiles and Tasters of Jurawhose headquarters is at Saint Lothiannear Poligny.

More than 20 years after the creation of this association, it announced leave the presidency at the end of 2025. “I think I have spent a certain amount of time, you have to know how to leave, leave your placeeven if it is not obvious. I'm 74, that's not bad, but when you reach a certain age, we are no longer as efficient», she confides to Voice of Jura.

Professor at Poligny

Born at Lons-le-SaunierMarie-Thérèse Grappe had a winegrower father. “But it was a small vine, it made everyday wines “, she says. In 1967, when he was 17, his family decided to settle in the Heart of Jura . His interest in wine was not yet born: “I first did a little restorationafter the baccalaureate, then I took the competitive exam to be a teacher. I also had a agricultural trainingat Montmorot high school. »

It is by becoming restaurant-sommelier teacherat the Poligny hotel high school, that this passion developed. “By teaching wine, I developed my knowledge. Wine is so immense, we learn about it every day. What I like is to feel it, have it in your mouth look for the aromas…”, she says.

Involved in associations

Subsequently, Marie-Thérèse contributed to numerous projects, being the founder and collaborator of the Restaurant Le Chaletin Poligny; host of tasting evenings ; general secretary then vice-president of the Association of Sommeliers Jura Franche-Comté ; and representative of the Association of Sommeliers of Europe in the Jura.

But his jewel remains the Association of Oenophiles and Tasters of Jura which she co-founded in 2004. “The goal was to share my knowledge and the vocabulary of wine,” she explains. Among the various missions of the organization: learn to taste and develop taste and sensory skills; know and use specific vocabularytasting; realize good food and wine pairingsand know the rules for serving wine; organize meetings with winegrowers and oenological evenings or even participate in competition juries and exams.

Travel in France and around the world

This association today brings together 25 enthusiasts of all ages. “I still have mostly retirees and teachers. But it is open to all. I limit the number of places to 25, it’s more practical during tastings,” she explains. And to specify that “ all members have been trained through five two-hour sessions.

The organization also schedules one trip per year. She details: “We left in Hungary for study yellow winesand wines under sail, in Andalusia to study the sherry then many regions in France. » The association was also able to count on the help of Michel Campy geologist, who “brought the members into the vineyards and taught soils in different regions ».

A new club in Lons-le-Saunier

Following numerous requests, Marie-Thérèse Grappe created the same conceptt in Lons-le-Saunier, with the Club Œnophile lédonien. “I was asked. Today I have waiting listsfor both antennas,” she admits.

At the same time, this enthusiast was also jury in numerous competitionslocal, national and international. She even participated in Wine Womenin Paris, where she made a place for herself among the semi-finalists .

“Real friendships were created”

Cet love for wineshe passed it on – “without meaning to, she slips” – to her son. She speaks about it with pride: “I don’t think it came from me, he was in the industry but he quickly took the vine virus. He has his cellar right next to the house and his son, so my 25-year-old grandson, works with him today. My other boy is entrepreneur in Thailand. »

But it is above all her mission as presidentwithin the Saint-Lothain club – because she still keeps it in Lons-le-Saunier – which Marie-Thérèse hopes to pass on: “I hope there will be someone who wants to take up the torch. In 21 years, I lived wonderful moments. We work, but above all it is a friendly group,true friendships were created. »

Practical information
Address: Association of Oenophiles and Tasters of Jura and Club Oenophile Lédonien, 81 route du Revermont, in Saint-Lothain.
Contact : [email protected].

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