FERMENTING A PLAN

Wine is a key element of a Pasteur-inspired trip to the Jura. This is partly because wine should be a key element of any trip, partly because Pasteur was himself a wine man with his own experimental vineyard ( just outside Arbois) fuelling work on fermentation, and partly because Jura wines are disarmingly idiosyncratic. For a start, they issue from grape varieties no one else has ever heard of (poulsard and trousseau for reds, savagnin for whites). They tend to disdain modern attributes like freshness and fruitiness for maturity and smokiness.

And they include some standout eccentricities. Finest, perhaps, is the vin jaune. It starts off white, is aged in oak for six years and three months and emerges yellowish with the nutty flavours of a fino sherry. It will age until we’re all too old to drink it. For this, and the rest, try Domaine Baud at Le Vernois, near

Château Chalon, where the ninth generation is running family affairs (domainebaud.fr). Or the Domaine Pignier at Montaigu – home village of La Marseillaise composer Rougetde-Lisle (domainepignier.com). In Arbois itself, try the Domaine Rolet. The vineyard shop is opposite the town hall (roletarbois.com).

LOCATION 8/10

The hotel, in a restored historic town house, sits on a quiet street in the island’s rural heartland, the picturesque town of Sineu. Sant Joan, with its Pare Ginard museum and

Els Calderers country estate, is just a 15 minute drive away. Sineu itself is full of life with a vibrant weekly Wednesday market and cheery plaça flanked by cafés and bars. The nearest beaches of Can Picafort and Playa de Muro are reached in 25 minutes by car, as is Puntiró golf course.

With its easy-going country roads, this is a cyclists’ paradise, though a regular train service runs to Palma and continues throughout the night so it’s easy to dine in the capital and be home by midnight. The airport is about 30 minutes away by taxi.

STYLE AND CHARACTER 9/10 Funky, fun and surprising. Exposed beams, antique tiles and parquet flooring merge effortlessly with flamboyant lighting, colourful furniture and striking monochrome images of stage and screen icons. The entrance hall, with its glitzy yet snug cocktail bar, comfy sofas and cosy rugs, is so inviting you may never want to leave.

SERVICE AND FACILITIES 9/10 Expect a huge welcome from a family team, former property surveyors Joanna and John and their daughter

Hannah. While her parents focus on running the day-to-day business and entertaining the guests, Hannah has honed her skills in the kitchen to make Ten a hot new culinary spot. They have created a real home from home.

There is a vast internal private terrace and infinity pool with cream loungers and fringed parasols where bar snacks and dishes are served from late morning. There’s a gym with yoga mats and, for sun shirkers, a room with a PlayStation VR, PS4 and big screen. Bikes for all levels can be hired. John is

HOTEL TEN Sineu, Mallorca,

Spain

9/ 10

Carrer de Son Riera, 10, 07510 Sineu, Mallorca, Spain. 0034 744 482 497; tenmallorca.com a keen cyclist and can advise on local routes. Massages can be arranged in rooms. The hotel has its own car park.

ROOMS 9/10

There are nine individually designed bedrooms, three with baths. Four have private terraces or balconies, and Room 8 has its own upper terrace with a private splash pool. Colour palettes are reflected in the wallpaper – by the likes of Christian Lacroix or Matthew Williamson – with motifs such as flirty flappers, pink flamingos or parrots. Lots of the furniture is vintage. It doesn’t get cooler than this.

King-size beds are dressed in fine Egyptian linen and the softest pillows. All rooms have smart TVs, coffee machines, kettles and minibars. The stylish retro bathrooms, with walk-in showers, have Argan oil products, plush towels, robes and slippers.

FOOD AND DRINK 9/10

Hannah has devised a creative lunchtime menu of tapas for poolside dining, such as spinach and feta filo parcels, goat’s cheese and peach salad and international classics such as club sandwiches, Caesar salads and vegan burgers. A delicious, six-course tasting menu for €55 (£50) is served twice- weekly for dinner. Otherwise, dinner is served on request and can be enjoyed on the terrace or in the dining room; alternatively there are many restaurants locally.

A hearty breakfast (8.30-10.30am) includes freshly squeezed orange juice and egg dishes cooked to order as well as smashed avocado on toast. A selection of fruit, yogurts, granola, porridge, charcuterie and local cheeses is also available alongside fresh breads and pastries (including gluten-free and vegan options at no extra charge).

VALUE FOR MONEY 9/10 Double rooms from €140 in low season, and from €210 in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

ACCESS FOR GUESTS WITH DISABILITIES?

A double bedroom with wheelchair access is available on the ground floor.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY? The hotel is adults-only.

Anna Nicholas

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