Jura Flashcards
Describe the history of the Savagnin grape
Native to Jura; thought to have descended from wild grapes. Provided genetic material to many other grapes in NE France and SW Germany during the middle ages
Name several French grape varieties related to Savagnin.
Petit Manseng, Sylvaner, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Gewurztraminer
What is the term for oxidative wines made in Jura and what does it translate to?
Sous voile; “under the veil”
What is the term for non-oxidative wine made in Jura and what does it translate to?
Ouille “without ullage”
What does the term “ullage” refer to?
Refers to the headspace left in the barrel
What is Jura’s climate?
Continental with alpine influences
As of 2019, ___% of production was carried out by ___ wineries and the top 11 producers accounted for ___% of all production.
53%; 3 wineries (1 co-op and 2 negociants); 60%
What did the two decrees in 1732 and 1774 aim to achieve and were they successful?
Limit the list of approved grape varietals; NO!
What were two major events that severely challenged Jura’s wine industry?
Advent of the railway and phylloxera (62% vineyard reduction compared to 27% for France)
What efforts were taken in the 1970s to rebuild Jura viticulture?
Land was repurchased and resold to grape growers. Smaller parcels were consolidated into larger, workable parcels as part of wholesale restructuring (remembrement)
What is the winegrowing area of Jura called?
Revermont
What effect does the Jura Mountains have on the winegrowing areas of Jura?
Blocks west winds which increases precipitation on the western flanks (where vineyards are located)
Why is it hard to establish organic/biodynamic farming in Jura?
Increased disease pressure from the higher precipitation levels
What is Louis Pasteur known for?
Developed milk pasteurization, vaccines for anthrax and rabies, yeast responsible for alcohol fermentation
Who wrote the ampelgraphic compendium in 1897?
Charles Rouget
Who championed for the Arbois AOC?
Alexis Arpin
Who is the creator of “bouillie bordelaise” or “Bordeaux Mixture” to combat mildew?
Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet
What are the main climatic hazards of Jura?
rain during flowering/harvest, frost, hailstorms
What is a blind valley (reculee)?
Deep, narrow valleys common in limestone/karst landscapes
What are the two uplifts of the Saone Graben?
Morvan uplands (escarpments of the Cote d’Or) and Jura Mountains
How does Jura’s soil composition compare to that of Cote d’Or?
It is the opposite; 80% clay and 20% limestone in Jura compared to 20% clay and 80% limestone in Cote d’Or
What is the predominant soil type in Jura?
clay-limestone marls
What are the 5 main grape varieties permitted in Jura and what are their preferred soil types?
Chardonnay - limestone
Savagnin - gray/blue marl
Poulsard/Ploussard - gray/blue marl
Pinot Noir - granitic soils
Trousseau - granitic soils, red marl on S facing slopes
Chardonnay accounts for __/__ of Jura’s white production and most ends up in _________ production.
2/3; cremant
Savagnin has ______ which protect it from mildew/rot and has ____ acidity which makes it ideal for Vin Jaune production
thick skins; high
Poulsard represents ___% of red grapes planted and is _________ to Jura.
40%; indigenous
Most of Pinot Noir grown in Jura is for what two styles of wine?
Macvin, Cremant du Jura
Trousseau is also known as ________ in Portugal
Bastardo
What is the most common training system in the Jura and why is it preferred?
Guyot; minimizes # of pruning cuts to the vine which reduces the risk of Esca (bacterial infection)
Ouille Savignin wines made in Arbois AOC are labeled ____________.
Nature
Wines made with ullage typically use what term on the label?
Tradition
Vin Jaune is produced in what Jura AOCs?
Chateau-Chalon, Arbois, L’Etoile, and Cotes du Jura
Describe the Vin Jaune winemaking process (including aging requirements)
After fermentation is complete, wine is transferred to old barrels (not filled completely) and stored in an aerated environment. They must remain unopened or moved for 60 months and cannot be sold until 6 years and 3 months after the vintage
What is the name and size of the bottle used for Vin Jaune
Clavelin; 620mL bottle
Vin de Paille is produced in what Jura AOCs?
Cotes du Jura, L’Etoile, Arbois
What grape varietal is not permitted in Vin De Paille production and why?
Pinot Noir; thin skins make it susceptible to rot
Describe the process of making Vin de Paille
Clusters of red and white grapes are dried for minimum of 6 weeks before being pressed (Dec-Feb). Following fermentation, wines must age in barrel for at least 18 months. Wine is released after 36 months and is sold in half bottles
What is the resulting R.S. of Vin de Paille wines?
6-13% (6-130g/l)
What grape varieties can be used in Macvin production?
All 5 main Jura varieties: Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau
Describe the process for making Macvin
Marc, local grape brandy, is added to grape must. The fortified slurry is pressed and aged in cask for a minimum of 10 months. Final alcohol is 16-22% by volume
What requirements are there for the marc used in Macvin production
Must be made by distilling Jura wine pomace
Minimum 14 month barrel aging before use in Macvin production
How many AOCs are in Jura and what types of AOCs are they?
6; 4 for geographical areas and 2 for styles of wine
What are the geographical AOCs of Jura?
Cotes du Jura, Arbois, Chateau-Chalon, L’Etoile
What are the AOCs that cover styles of wine in Jura?
Macvin AOC, Cremant du Jura
What are the styles of wine produced in Arbois AOC and what are two unique facts about the AOC?
Dry white, rose, red, vin de paille, and vin jaune
It is the largest of the Jura wine area by volume and size
Production is red-dominant
What AOC only produces Vin Jaune?
What is the term placed on the labels of these wines?
Chateau-Chalon
Vin de garde (wine for cellaring)
What happens to crops that are found to be unsatisfactory for Vin Jaune production in Chateau-Chalon?
They are declassified to Cotes du Jura AOC
What wines are produced in L’Etoile AOC and what is the predominant grape planted here?
Dry white, Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille
Chardonnay
How did L’Etoile AOC get its name?
Surrounded by 5 hills that form points of a star; vineyards have more limestone and have star shaped fossils called “pentacrinus”
What is the DGC that can append it’s name to the Arbois on the label?
Pupillin
Macvin du Jura represents ____% of Jura’s production and it produces _______________ wines.
6%
vin de liqueur (white, rose, red)
T or F: 88% of Cremant du Jura is red
False, 88% is white
What are the AOC requirements for Cremant du Jura blends?
White cremant must have at least 70% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and/or Trousseau
Rose cremant must have at least 50% red varieties and/or Pinot Gris
