Wine under veil, Valentine bubbles and belote: L'Amicale's February

In February we celebrate love and head off to the ski slopes. And the vine? It takes the opportunity to get a makeover: it is pruned, the canes — the vine's regrowth — are gathered and burned at the end of the rows.

And no, we are not talking about boats. Wine under veil is the wine that takes its time… and its freedom. After fermentation, these wines are aged without being fully protected from the air: a natural veil of yeast forms on the surface, a living shield that prevents brutal oxidation while slowly transforming the wine. The result: unique, complex, instantly recognisable aromas.

Under this veil, the wine evolves differently. You find notes of walnut, almond, curry, ripe apple, sometimes a saline touch — and some lean frankly towards the oxidative. The style can surprise at the first glass, but it intrigues, then seduces. These are wines of character, telling a story of patience, tradition and craftsmanship.

While the Jura is today the region best known for wine under veil — with its legendary vin jaune — the style exists elsewhere too: in Spain with the wines of Jerez, or in a few confidential French cuvées. In Vacquiers, near Toulouse, we actually tasted the draft of a future wine under veil — thank you, Marc Penavayre! But it is in the Jura that this tradition rose to icon status, carried by grape varieties like Savagnin, perfectly suited to this extraordinary ageing.

When speaking of wine under veil, it is hard not to think of vin jaune, a true monument of French wine heritage. Aged for more than six years under veil, without topping up — the evaporation is never compensated — which is why its bottles, the clavelins, hold 62 cl: a share, "the angels' share", has evaporated over time. Intense, dry, deep, it partners regional cooking as happily as a moment of pure tasting, and it keeps very well once opened: you can easily recork it and carry on another day.

A wine apart, which never leaves anyone indifferent — especially with a 24-month Comté and a few walnuts. And if a cook slumbers within you, try chicken with vin jaune and morels (with a Bresse chicken, it is even better), paired with a Patchwork from Domaine Tissot: pure bliss. Good news: the discovery does not stop there — a tasting dedicated to Jura wines is in the works for 12 March, and with a little luck we will taste that famous vin jaune together.

Because you do not need a specific reason to celebrate: on 12 February, a few days before Valentine's Day (in case it slipped your mind), join us for a special bubbles tasting. Sparkling wines, freshness, sharing — and above all a fine occasion to raise a glass together. Come celebrate whatever you like: the choice is yours. From 7.30pm to 9.30pm, €50 for non-members and €40 for members.

The spirited belote tournament returns, registration in pairs. Relaxed atmosphere: some cheese, some charcuterie, two or three vegetables (so we can claim a balanced diet) and one bottle of wine per four to launch the evening. Ten teams of two compete in a decidedly "AMICAL(E)" tournament, and the winners leave with a gift. We hope the Gazelles will be there to defend their title! From 7.30pm to 9.30pm, €30 for non-members and €26 for members.

A Grande Réserve champagne from Maxime Toubart and a whole 180 g duck foie gras from the Ferme de Phalange, in the Gers: the perfect duo at €50.

And above all, let us not forget: drinking a bottle means saving a winemaker.