Fws-Jura Flashcards
What are the major components of the soil of Jura?
Jurassic limestone (like Burgundy for Chardonnay), clay and ancient shale. Clay and limestone intermingle to form marl.
What is the origin of the name l’Etoile AOC?
a) tiny star-shaped fossils in the soil, b) region surrounded by 5 hills (only white wines)
Savignin Blanc grows best in what soil?
gray shale (contrast with Chardonnay which prefers limestone)
What are the main grapes of Jura and their relative distribution? Which color grape dominates?
Pinot Noir (37% of red), Chardonnay (66% of white), Savagnin Blanc (34% of white), Poulsard (40% of red), Trousseau (23% of red); a majority of vineyards are planted with white grapes [mnemonic: variation of its neighbor Burgundy]
What are tasting characteristics Savagnin Blanc?
high acid, high alcohol, with ageing hazelnut ***
What is Vin Jaune?
ripe Savignin Blanc (only) that is fermented and aged for 6 years in old Burgundy barrels. With evaporation a yeast film (thinner than Jerez flor) forms, bottled in 620 ml bottles.
What AOC is famous for Vin Jaune?
Chateau-Chalon (however Vin Jaune is made in all the other geographic Jura AOC’s!)
What is the geographical basis of Jura?
the eastern uplift of the Saone graben
How far back do written records of wine production in Jura date?
80 AD (Romans)
In what political department and region are Jura wines found?
Jura wines are made entirely within the Jura department which lies in Franche-Comte region
Name the 6 Jura AOC’s.
Arbois, Chateau-Chalon, L-Etoile, Cotes du Jura, Macvin du Jura, Cremant du Jura
How many grape varieties are permitted in Jura?
5
How many graper varieties existed in Jura at end of 19th century?
42
How many Jura AOC’s exist?
6, 4 are geographic and 2 are styles
What was Pasteur’s contribution to viniculture?
native of Jura who discovered yeast responsible for fermentation
What was Rouget contribution to viniculture?
winegrower from Jura that wrote a compendium of grapes, noting overlap of names [mnemonic: roget thesaurus]
What was Millardet contribution to viniculture?
botantist that along with Planchon pioneered grafting of vines onto American rootstock.
What was Alexis Arpin’s contribution to viniculture?
wine grower who spearheaded AOC designation for Arbois in 1936 [mnemonic: AAAA]
What is the sun exposure of most of the vineyards of Jura?
South and Southwest.
What is the climate of Jura?
continental with alpine influences
What are the two most common grapes in Jura?
Chardonnay (43%) and Pinot Noir (37%) [not Savignin Blanc]
What is the largest AOC in Jura?
Arbois (“fertile land”)
What is Chateau-Chalon AOC known for?
produces only Vin Jaune, unless declassified in some years to Cotes du Jura
What is the most widely planted grape in L’Etoile AOC?
Chardonnay
