10. Jura Flashcards
Describe Jura’s climate
Moderate continental climate with relatively high rainfall including significant rain during the growing season.
Jura’s high level of rainfall during the growing season poses what two issues?
1) Threat to flowering and fruit set
2) Long periods of wet weather during the season means additional work to control weeds and combat fungal diseases
What other climatic factors is Jura vulnerable to besides growing season rainfall? (2)
1) Spring frost
2) Hail
Describe Jura’s altitude and aspect
1) West-facing slopes of the Jura Mountains
2) Altitudes between 250 and 400m
Why are many of Jura’s vineyards grassed between rows? (2)
1) To reduce erosion due to the slope
2) To limit herbicide use (grass grown between rows means that herbicide use can be limited to the ground immediately below the vines)
How are Jura’s vines typically trained and trellised and why?
1) VSP, replacement cane pruned
2) To encourage the flow of air and reduce risk of fungal disease
What are the five most planted grape varieties in Jura?
1) Chardonnay
2) Savagnin
3) Poulsard
4) Pinot Noir
5) Trousseau
Most Chardonnay is used for what Jura wine style?
Cremant du Jura
When does Savagnin bud?
Early
Describe Savagnin as a fruit
A thick-skinned variety with good resistance to fungal diseases.
When does Poulsard bud?
Early
Poulsard is is vulnerable to what diseases? (2)
1) Coulure
2) Fungal diseases
When does Poulsard ripen?
Early
What is Trousseau prone to? (2)
1) Poor flowering
2) Excess vigour
Where and on what soil is Trousseau best planted? Why?
1) Either the warm lower part of the slope or on well-exposed higher, steeper slopes
2) On the warm gravels
3) To ripen fully
Which black grape may be made with carbonic or semi-carbonic?
Poulsard
How long must a Vin Jaune remain under flor?
Five years (six in barrel total)
What is the local synonym for flor in Jura?
La Voile (the veil)
Why do Vin Jaune wines develop the aromas of both biological and oxidative ageing?
The level of flor is thin and there is no fresh wine added (in contrast to making Fino Sherry)
What grape varieties are permitted in Vin de Paille?
All Jura varieties except Pinot Noir
Vin de Paille must be what ABV minimum?
14%
What is the typically r/s range for Vin de Paille?
70-120 g/L
How long must Vin de Paille be matured? (2)
1) In oak for a minimum of 18 months
2) Released no sooner than three years after vintage.
What are the five Jura appellations?
1) Cremant du Jura AOC
2) Cotes du Jura AOC
3) Arbois AOC
4) Chateau-Chalon AOC
5) L’Etoile AOC
What one wine style is permitted in Chateau Chalon AOC?
Vin Jaune
What wine styles are permitted in L’Etoile AOC?
All white styles including Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille
Where are the majority of Jura’s reds made?
Arbois AOC
What wine styles may be made in Cotes du Jura and Arbois AOCs?
All five (red, rosé, white, Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille)
White wine (excluding Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille) Savagnin and/or Chardonnay must make up a minimum what per cent of the blend?
80%
White wine (excluding Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille) Savagnin and/or Chardonnay has what maximum yield?
60 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for red and rose?
55 hL/ha
Red and rose wine Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard must make up a minimum what per cent of the blend?
80%
What is the only variety permitted in Vin Jaune?
Savagnin
What is the maximum yield for Vin Jaune (except Chateau Chalon)?
60 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for Chateau Chalon?
30 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield for Vin de Paille?
20 hL/ha
Vin Jaune must be bottled in what?
62 cL clavelin bottle, an exception to EU legislation for standard bottle sizes.
What is the minimum drying time for Vin de Paille?
Six weeks
How is Vine Jaune made? (2)
1) By fermenting Savagnin grapes to dryness
2) Ageing in barrels with a headspace where thin layer of a flor-type yeast develops
How do Vin Jaune producers create the layer of flor? (2)
1) May choose to inoculate with selected yeasts
2) Allow the process to happen naturally by making sure the barrels are placed in a well-ventilated cellar with seasonal temperature changes.
Why does Vin Jaune’s alcohol level rise by about 1 degree up to 13.5%–15%?
Due to the transpiration of water through
the barrels
What diseases is Trousseau susceptible to? (2)
1) Botrytis
2) Coulure
What are the soils of Jura and why is this problematic given the high rainfall?
1) Clay (marl, limestone)
2) Exacerbates the risk of fungal disease due to its cool, water retention capacity
How are many basic Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau made? (3)
1) Short maceration (5-10)
2) Mid-range fermentation (30 max)
3) Inert or neutral vessel
