Jura Flashcards
What percentage of land under vine in France does the Jura represent? Was this historically the case?
.5% today, but once represented 5%. Decline since 1850 due to mildew, phylloxera, the railways connecting Southern France to Paris, and world wars
What are the primary varieties of the Jura?
Savagnin and Chardonnay for whites, Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir for reds
Describe the climate and growing environment of the Jura
Moderate continental climate with high rainfall, which can threaten flowering and fruit set. Wet environment demands additional labor to control weeds and combat fungal disease. Climate change has increased sunshine levels. Vineyards are on west-facing slopes of the Jura Mountains between 250 and 400 M. Many vineyards are grassed between rows to reduce erosion and limit herbicide use. Replacement-cane pruning high enough to reduce frost risk, VSP to encourage airflow. Machine harvest where possible
Describe the soils of the Jura
Primarily heavy clay soils, whicch retain water and challenge growing, along with marl and some limestone patches
What are the percentage share of grapes planted in the Jura?
Chardonnay 40%, Savagnin 20%, Poulsard 15%, PN 17%, Trousseau 13%
What is Chardonnay primarily used for in the Jura?
Cremant du Jura
Describe Savagnin
White variety made for conventional wines and oxidative styles (Vin Jaune). Early budding, thick-skinned, resistant to fungal disease, and does best on steep, marl slopes
Describe Poulsard
Most planted black variety in the Jura. Very early-budding, prone to frost, coulure, and gunal diseases (thin-skinned). Early-ripening, pale color, low intensity red fruit, low tannin, high acid, light body
What is Pinot Noir used for in the Jura?
Cremant du Jura, and increasingly seen as a single variety wine
Describe Trousseau
Black, thick-skinned variety resistant to fungal disease (but vulnerable to botrytis). Prone to poor flowering and coulure. Vigorous and requires canopy management. Does best in warm sites (gravel soil) and on warm, low slopes. Pale color, low intensity red fruit, low to med tannin, med to high acid
Describe white winemaking in the Jura
Savagnin and Chardonnay are typically fermented in stainless or old barrels at mid temp, fruity esters are not desired. Malo is typical. Some producers make “Burgundian” style Chard with barrel fermentation and lees stirring
Describe red winemaking in the Jura
Short maceration (5-10 days), at 30C o below. Poulsard may be carbonic or semi-carbonic. Some aging in large oak barrels before release. Trousseau and PN may have longer macerations for more structured wine for bottle age. Barrel aging usually less than one year. New oak is rare
Describe Vin Jaune and its winemaking
Distinctive oxidative white made by fermenting Savagnin to dryness and aging in barrels with headspace. A layer of flor-type yeast develops, called le voile. Wine must remain under flor for minimum 5 years, total aging 6 years in barrel. Flor may be inoculated or ambient (by placing barrels in a ventilated cellar with seasonal temperature changes). Cellar location and conditions are crucial. Alc rises about 1% during aging due to transpiration of water through the barrels
Does all oxidative Savagnin remain in barrel for the 6 years required to call it Vin Jaune?
No, many are withdrawn after 2-3 years under flor and released, or may be blended with Chardonnay (which may itself have been under flor), offering diverse oxidative style options
What distinguishes Vin Jaune from other oxidative whites?
Intensity of dough, walnut, ginger, and green apple flavor, high alcohol, and ability to age (multiple decades)
What is Vin de Paille?
A sweet wine made by drying grapes off the vine in the Jura. All varieties except PN are permitted. Wine must be above 14% alc, with residual sugar typically 70-120 g/l. Must be aged in oak a min 18 months and released no sooner than 3 years after vintage
From north to south, what are the key appellations of the Jura?
Arbois, Chateau-Chalon, L’Etoile, with Cotes du Jura encompassing the length of the region
Describe Cotes du Jura AOC
Regional appellation for all of Jura, total around 560 ha. White, red, rose, Vin Jaune, and Vin de Paille permitted. Most production is white
Describe Arbois AOC
Compact, densely-planted AOC around town of Arbois, white, red, rose, Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille permitted. Most red Jura production is here
Describe Chateau-Chalon AOC
Tiny appellation restricted to Vin Jaune only
Describe L’Etoile AOC
Tiny Jura appellation for white wines only, including Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille
What are the Jura appellation regulations for white wine (excluding Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille)?
Savagnin and/or Chardonnay minimum 80% of blend, max yield 60 hl/ha
What are the Jura appellation regulations for red and rose wines?
Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau must make up min 80% of blend, max yield 55 hl/ha
What are the Jura appellation regulations for Vin Jaune?
Only Savagnin, max yield 60 hl/ha (except in Chateau-Chalon which restricts to 30 hl/ha). Under flor min 60 months, no racking or top up, cannot be sold before January 7 years after harvest. Must be bottled in 62 cL clavelin bottle (exception to EU legislation)
