Jura Flashcards
What percentage of French wine production does Jura comprise?
0.2%
Where is Jura AOC located?
On west facing slopes in the Jura Mountains, east of Burgundy along the border with Switzerland. Altitudes are between 250-400m
What has been the trend in Jura’s area under vine? What led to this development?
Since 1850 Jura has shrunk to 10% of it’s original size. Mildew, phylloxera, the railway connecting Paris to Southern France, and world wars dimishined the area under vine
What varieties are grown in Jura AOC?
Savagnin
Poulsard
Trousseau
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
What is attractive to sommeliers and wine enthusiasts about Jura wines?
The distinctive style of wine produced there and the local varieties used
What is the climate in Jura? How much rainfall does it experience?
Continental with significant sunshine and warmth due to climate change.
1,100mm of rainfall per year with sig signficant amounts during the growing season.
Is rainfall a problem in Jura?
Yes. High rainfall during the growing season can disrupt flowering and fruit set, dilute plants, and increase pressure from weeds and fungal disease.
Is hail and/or frost an issue in Jura?
In the 21st century hail has become a regular threat
What type of soil is generally found in Jura?
Clay and marl soils with some patches of limestone
What technique is used in Jura to reduce the use of herbicides? How does this work?
Cover crops, especially grass, planted between vine rows allows for herbicide use to be restricted to just below the vines.
It also reduces erosion.
What type of vine training is used in Jura?
High trained replacement canes (to reduce frost risk) and VSP (to increase airflow)
Is machine harvesting common in Jura?
It is increasingly popular except where slopes are too steep. The machines help reduce cost and improve efficiency and speed of harvest.
Yields in Jura are not close to the maximum permitted yields per AO regulations. Why?
Weather hazards, such as frost and rain early in the season causing mildew, reduces yields.
AOC red wine was harvested at 23 hl/ha, less than half the maximum
What is the most planted variety in Jura? What type of wine is it used in?
Chardonnay at around 40%, primarily used in Crémant du Jura
What is the risk of planting Chardonnay in the Jura?
It is early budding, making it vulnerable to spring frost
What percentage of plantings does Savagnin comprise in the Jura? What hazards does it face there?
20%
It is early budding and thus susceptible to spring frosts, but is resistant to fungal disease due to its thick skin
What style of wine is produced with Savagnin in the Jura? What is the character of Savagnin wines?
It is used for conventional white wines and the traditional Vin Jaune.
It displays high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, and medium (-) intensity lemon and apple fruit
What is the most planted black grape variety in the Jura? What percentage of total plantings does it comprise?
Poulsard. It is 15% of plantings in the Jura
What is Poulsard susceptible to in Jura? Why?
Spring frosts because it is early ripening
All fungal diseases due to its thin skin
Coulure, just because
What are the advantages to growing Poulsard in Jura?
It can be harvested early, before autumn rains
What is the character of Poulsard based Jura wines?
Very pale ruby with high acid, low tannins, light body, medium alcohol, and low intensity red fruit (red currant, cranberry) aromas
What is the typical quality and pricing of Jura Poulsard wines?
Good to very good
Mid to premium
What is the second most planted black grape variety in Jura? How is it used?
Pinot Noir, used primarily as a blending component in red blends, in Crémant du Jura, and now more often in varietal wines
What are the advantages of growing Trousseau in Jura? What are the disadvantages?
It has thick skins and his resistant to disease
It can suffer from botrytis, can flower poorly, and suffer from coulure