What is ja ja (wine)?

July 24, 2008 10:24 AM

At a French bar years ago, the French owner was telling me about their "ja ja" wine. He said it was the term for a house wine, often when they'd pour the leftovers from a few bottles into one. It's cheap and usually just fine but not fabulous. I don't see the term often (and it tends to mean something different every time), but I saw it again at a French bar recently. The bartender told me it was a house wine with no set vintage (though they did offer a region). She poured it out of one bottle (thought they may have used a funnel). It was pretty darn good. Can anyone tell me the origin of the word, and what it generally means when you see it on a wine list? Is it lots of leftover wines poured together, or only from one region, or something altogether different? It's not listed on wikipedia, my first reference, and with such a short word, Google searches don't help. I just want to know what I'm drinking. Thanks!
posted by cherie72 to food & drink (2 comments total)

According to this website, "jaja" is a French slang term for everyday wine you don't have to think about to enjoy.
posted by LN at 11:08 AM on July 24

I don't know the French term "ja ja". In America the dregs of a bunch of bottles poured together is often called "cold duck". That's a pun from the German "kalte Ende" ("cold leftovers") which sounds like "kalte Ente" ("cold duck"). At least, that's my folk etymology.

I feel certain that whatever you're drinking is not some fine vinological creation. It's a bunch of leftover crap mixed together.
posted by Nelson at 11:10 AM on July 24