Jura

Question 1

What percentage of French wine production does Jura account for?

Answer 1

0.2%

Question 2

Why did the vineyard area in Jura drastically decrease in the century following 1850?

Answer 2

A series of major setbacks

• Phylloxera
• Mildew
• Two world wars
• Railway developments allowing transport of wine from south of France to Paris

Question 3

Where is Jura located?

Answer 3

East of Burgundy on the French border with Switzerland

Question 4

What is the climate in Jura?

Answer 4

Continental with high rainfall (1100mm) throughout the growing season

Warmth increasing due to climate change with good sunshine levels

Question 5

What problems does the high rainfall in Jura pose in the vineyard?

Answer 5

• Disrupt flowering and fruit set (lower yield)
• Can make manual work in vineyards v difficult
• Creates additional work in the vineyard to manage weeds and fungal disease which adds extra cost

Question 6

Aside from rainfall what are the main weather hazards in Jura?

Answer 6

Spring frost

Hail

Heavy rain early in the growing season

Question 7

Where are the vineyards of the Jura located?

Answer 7

West facing slopes of the Jura mountains

250-400m altitude

Question 8

Why are many vineyards grassed between rows?

Answer 8

To reduce erosion

Limit herbicide use

Question 9

What training and trellising is most commonly used in Jura

Answer 9

Replacement cane pruning - high above ground to mitigate frost damage

VSP - to encourage air flow and mitigate risk of fungal disease

Question 10

Why do yields in Jura average well below the permitted maximums?

Answer 10

Wide range of weather hazards - frost, hail, heavy rain early in the season, drought later in the season)

Question 11

What is the most planted grape variety in Jura?

Answer 11

Chardonnay - 40%

However much of it is used in Cremant production

Question 12

What are the main characteristics of Savagnin?

Answer 12

Accounts for 20% plantings in Jura

Used for conventional white wine and oxidative styles (Vin Jayne)

Early budding - prone to spring frost

Thick skinned with good resistance to fungal disease

High acidity, lemon and apple fruit, medium body and alcohol

Question 13

What are the main soil types in Jura?

Answer 13

Mainly clay and marl with some limestone

Question 14

What are the main characteristics of Poulsard?

Answer 14

Very early budding

Thin skinned and prone to coulure and all fungal diseases

Early ripening so can be harvested before autumn rains

Question 15

What is the second most planted black variety in Jura?

Answer 15

Pinot noir

Used in blends, cremant and increasingly as a single varietal

Question 16

How is Vin Jaune made?

Answer 16

savagnin grapes are fermented to dryness then placed in barrels with head space

A thin layer of flor-type yeast develops known as ‘le voile’ / the veil

Barrels are not moved or topped up for 6 years (many wines are moved before then though and used to make oxidative single varietal or blends with Chardonnay)

Question 17

How is le voile formed?

Answer 17

Producers can choose to inoculate with cultured yeasts or allow the process to happen naturally, in which case barrels need a well ventilated cellar with seasonal temperature changes

Question 18

What are the characteristics of Vin Jaune?

Answer 18

Medium lemon to gold in colour

Aromas of bread dough, walnut, ginger and green apple

High acidity

Able to age for several decades

Question 19

What is Vin de Paille?

Answer 19

A sweet wine made in Jura by drying grapes off the vine

Residual sugar of 70-140g/l

Question 20

What are the production rules for Vin Jaune?

Answer 20

Only Savagnin can be used

Max yield is 60 hl/ha

Must be under voile for a minimum of 60 months and not be racked or topped up in that time

Can only be sold to the consumer from the January seven years following harvest

Bottled in 62cl clavelin bottle - exempt from EU rules

Question 21

What percentage of grape growing in Jura is organic?

Answer 21

20% - twice the natural average