France - Jura Flashcards
What is the general climate of the Jura?
Moderate continental with high rainfall (1100mm) including significant rain during the growing season (affecting flowering and fruit set, and harvest, and makes work in the vineyard difficult). These long periods of wet weather (exacerbated by the heavy clay soils) means additional work is required to control weeds and combat fungal disease.
Spring frosts can be a problem.
Hail has been a problem in the last decade, causing losses.
Climate change has brought extra warmth, and now the Jura benefits from.good sunshine levels.
What is the general topography of the Jura?
Located on West facing slopes of the Jura mountains, at altitudes of 250-400m.
Soils are mainly clay and marl, with limestone in parts.
What techniques are common in the vineyard?
Grassing between rows to reduce erosion due to the slope, and limit herbicide use (this means herbicide use can be limited to the ground immediately below the vines).
Mostly replacement cane pruned high above the ground to mitigate frost risk.
VSP is used to encourage air flow and decrease the risk of fungal disease.
Machine harvesting has become more popular, except where slopes are too steep, reducing the cost and enables growers to harvest rapidly and efficiently.
What have actual yields been like in recent years?
They’ve averaged well below the maximum permitted due to various weather hazards (frost, hail, heavy rain and excessive heat/drought later in the season) and caused increased costs. Eg, red wine at AOC level only averaged 23hL/ha in 2017, less than half permitted.
What is the breakdown of the top varieties planted in the Jura?
Chardonnay 40%
Savagnin 20%
Poulsard 15%
Pinot noir 13%
Trousseau 8%
