Jura Flashcards
1
Q
What is Jura’s signature white grape variety?
A
Savagnin
This variety is native to Jura.
2
Q
What is the Savagnin grape descended from?
A
Wild grapes
3
Q
Which grape varieties are related to the Savagnin grape variety?
A
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Petit Manseng
- Sylvaner
- Gewurztraminer (its pink-skinned variant)
4
Q
What unique wines does Jura create?
A
- Vin Jaune: France’s only wine product created through the action of suface yeast.
- Vin de Paille: straw wine
- Macvin: fortified must
5
Q
What styles are white wines of Jura produced in?
A
- Sous voile (under veil): dry white in oxidative style
- Ouille: non-oxidative
6
Q
What is an indication of the diversity of wine and stylized wine products in Jura?
A
It is not uncommon for even small producers to produce 10-15 different wines each vintage.
7
Q
What factors have wreaked havoc on Jura’s wine industry?
A
- Mildew
- Phylloxera
- Wars
- Frosts
- Freezes
- Economic depressions
- Recessions
These all wreaked havoc and whittle away the productions numbers to just one-tenth of what they used to be.
8
Q
What percentage of Jura’s total production is carried out by 3 wineries?
A
53%
- 1 co-operative
- 2 negociants
Note: the top 11 producers are responsible for 60%.
9
Q
What are the characteristics of Jura wines?
A
Good, fresh, vibrant, mineral and moderate in alcohol.
10
Q
How much of Jura wine is exported?
A
16%
11
Q
Where does the Jurassic geological time period (200-145mya) take its name from?
A
The Jura Mountains
Rock strata dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the earth were first identified here.
12
Q
What percentage of France’s total wine production is produced in Jura?
A
Less than half a percent.
13
Q
What percentage of Jura’s wine production is Cremant?
A
29% and growing
14
Q
Who is Louis Pasteur?
A
A French chemist & microbiologist born in the town of Dole in Jura. He developed milk pasteurization, the anthrax/rabies vaccines, and performed groundbreaking work on alcoholic fermentation. He discovered that yeast is responsible for the fermentation process. (1822-1895)
15
Q
Who is Charles Rouget?
A
A winegrower from Salins-les-Bains who wrote an ampelographic compendium in 1897. He was a life-long student of the vine who noted that identical grape varieties often assumed alternate names, especially when grown on different sites and soils. (1828-1899)
16
Q
Who is Alexis Arpin?
A
A winegrower and Secretary of the Arbois Viticulture Society, who campaigned against fraud and championed the idea of an appellation of controlled origin for Arboir. His work to authenticate wine origin set the stage for him to be among the first to receive AOC approval in 1936. (1867-1946)
17
Q
Who is Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet?
A
A Jura-born botanist and mycologist who studied vine diseases. He taught at the Universitites of Strasbourg, Nancy and Bordeaux. He is the creater of the famous “bouillie bordelaise” or “Bordeaux Mixture” that was used to combat mildew.
Together with botanist Jules-Emile Planchon, the two pioneered the grafting of French vines onto American rootstock to protect the vines from phylloxera.
18
Q
Where is Jura located?
A
This mountainous region is sandwiched between Bourgogne and Switzerland in Eastern France.
The vineyards lie entirely within the Jura departement which is located in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comte.
It stretches from Salins-Les Bains in the north to the town of Saint-Amour in the south.
19
Q
What name is the Jura winegrowing region known by?
A
Revermont
20
Q
What is the climate in Jura?
A
Continental with alpine influences.
21
Q
What are the seasons like in Jura?
A
- long, cold winters
- potentially very warm summers
- summer nights tend to stay relatively cool
22
Q
How do the Jura Mountains affect the weather in Jura?
A
They block moisture-containing west winds, so precipitation falls year-round on the mountains’ western flanks (where the vineyards are located).
23
Q
How much annual rainfall does Jura receive?
A
Approx. 39-59in/1,000-1,500mm.
(more than Bourgogne)
24
Q
How much sunshine does Jura receive each growing season?
A
Between 1,800-1,900/ hours of sunshine.
(more than Bourgogne)
25
What climate hazards present a threat to **Jura**?
Similar to other northerly winegrowing areas:
* frost
* hailstorms
* disease pressure (due to moisture)
* etc.
26
What is a *Reculee*?
A "blind valley" is a deep, narrow valley common in limestone/karst landscapes. The valley starts abruptly at the point where its stream emerges from underground. Such a valley is formed when permeable soil or rock, such as limestone, rests atop an impermeable sublayer (of dolomite, sandstone, shale, flysch). Water moves through the permeable top layer and erodes it down to the impermeable layer, thereby forming the valley.
27
How was the **Jura** landscape created?
During the Triassic through the Middle Jurassic (230-160mya), the area was submerged under a sea. Over these millenia, layers of marl (limestone-clays) formed as sea creatures died, accumulated and compacted. Eventually the land emerged from the sea.
When the Alps rose, the Jura Mountains rose, and the Saone Graben formed. As the Alps continued to rise, they pushed the Jura Mountains westwards, creating a series of folds comprised of sedimentary bedrock that are now plateaus and buttes.
The graben's uplifts (the Morvan uplands/escarpments of the Cote d'Or and the Jura Mountains) were separated by the Bresse Plain. Over time, blind valleys formed in Jura, creating a distinctive topography.
28
Where are the vineyards of **Jura** planted?
* some lie on the south- or southwestern-facing Jura foothills below the first/lower plateau.
* some on the slopes of small limestone hills that detached themselves from the sedimentary bedrock during all the geological upheavals.
* most are positioned between 720-1,475ft/220-450m in elevation.
29
How do the soils of **Jura** compare to those of **Cote d'Or**?
Exactly the opposite despite being positioned opposite one another across the Bresse Plain.
* the base rock in the **Cote d'Or** is composed of 80% limestone & 20% clay
* **Jura** is the reverse
30
Which topsoils are ideal for which grape varieties in **Jura**?
* Red grapes: *red marl*
* **Savagnin** & **Poulsard**: *gray/blue marl* (sometimes accompanied by shale)
* **Trousseau** & **Pinot Noir**: *Gravel*
* **Chardonnay**: pure *limestone* with sea fossils or *limestone-rich marls*
31
How many different grape varieties were planted in **Jura** by the end ot the 19th century?
42
There were unsuccessful attempts to limit the number of varieties.
32
How did **Jura** reduce their large variety of grape plantings?
Phylloxera did what wine law could not. It separated the marginal grapes from those more suited to Jura's climate.
33
Name the grapes of **Jura**.
White:
* **Chardonnay**
* **Savagnin**
Rose/Gris:
* **Pinot Gris**
Red:
* **Poulsard**
* **Pinot Noir**
* **Trousseau**
34
How long has **Chardonnay** been documented in **Jura**?
Since the 14th century.
35
How much of **Jura**'s white wines are crafted from **Chardonnay**?
Two-thirds
Note: most of it is used in *cremants*
36
What are the characteristics of the **Savagnin** grape variety?
* high in acidity
* thick skins
* resistant to mildews/rot
* prefers gray/blue marl soil
37
What iconic wine is produced from the **Savagnin** variety in **Jura**?
**Vin Jaune** (yellow wine)
**Jura**'s signature long-aged and long-lived oxidative wine.
38
What style of wine is the **Pinot Gris** variety used for in **Jura**?
It is authorized for *Cremant du Jura* but is rarely found. It is not considered to be a principal variety.
39
What is another name for the **Poulsard** grape variety?
**Ploussard** (in the village of *Pupillin*)
40
What styles of wines are produced from the **Poulsard** variety?
* Iconic pale-coloured reds & roses
* sparkling Cremant du Jura rose
* *Vin de Paille* (it forms part of the blend for this sweet wine)
41
What are the characteristics of the **Poulsard** grape variety?
* very site-sensitive
* disease-prone
* difficult to grow
* prefers gray/blue marls
42
Rank the red grapes grown in **Jura** from most to least widely planted.
1. **Poulsard** (40%)
2. **Pinot Noir** (37%)
3. **Trousseau** (23%)
43
What styles of wine are produced from the **Pinot Noir** grape in **Jura**
* *Macvin du Jura*
* *Cremant du Jura*
* some red wine as well
44
Where in **Jura** is the **Pinot Noir** variety grown?
Mainly in the southern portion of the region.
Although it is vulnerable to frost, it ripens dependably and is usually the first grape to be harvested.
45
What are the characteristics of the **Trousseau** grape variety?
* requires more sunlight to ripen than other varieties
* likes fairly warm gravel or stony soils or red marl on south-facing slopes
* rustic
* tannic
46
Where is the **Trousseau** grape variety native to?
It is believed to be native to **Jura**, but has been grown in Portugal (as **Bastardo**) for a long time.
It shares kinship with **Savagnin**.
47
Rank the grape varieties grown in **Jura** from most to least widely planted.
1. **Chardonnay** (43%)
2. **Savagnin** (22%)
3. **Poulsard** (14%)
4. **Pinot Noir** (13%)
5. **Trouseau** (8%)
48
What are some challenges that *vignerons* face in **Jura**?
* long, cold winters
* copious rain: wet climate promotes weed growth & risk of fungal disease/rot is high
* steep slopes: mechaniztion is impossible
49
What percentage of **Jura** vignerons were certified organic or biodynamic as of 2018?
**17%**
The wet climate makes it difficult to be agrochemical-free. Nevertheless, reduction of pesticide use is a priority in **Jura**.
50
What vine-training method is used in **Jura**?
**Guyot** is most common, most vines are cane-pruned.
51
Why are most vines in **Jura** cane-pruned?
To minimize the number of pruning cuts.
**Savagnin** & **Trousseau** are susceptible to Esca trunk disease, a fatal bacterial infection that develops from pruning wounds. Cane-pruning helps reduce this risk.
52
How much has the average temperature in **Jura** risen from 2002 and 2012 due to climate change?
1.6°F/1°C.
53
How has/will the increase in temperature due to climate change affect the grapes/wines of **Jura**?
The additional warmth:
* benefical for reds
* unlikely to be an advantage for *cremant*
54
What beverages does **Jura** produce besides wine?
*marc* & *fine* (brandy)
55
What is *Sous Voile*?
Meaning "under flor/with *ullage*)
This is the method of aging wine oxidatively that is used in **Jura**.
Taken from the traditions of *Vin Jaune*, wines are aged in barrel without topping up. This exposes them to oxygen and allows for a flor-like surface yeast to develop.
56
What characteristic notes develop through the process of *Sous Voile* in **Jura**?
The primary by-product of "controlled oxidation" is aldehyde. The wines develop aromas of walnut, hazelnut and spice.
57
What grape varieties undergo *Sous Voile* in **Jura**?
* **Savagnin**: traditionally to make *Vin Jaune*
* **Chardonnay**: in small amounts
58
How are wines with *ullage* usually labeled in **Jura**?
"*Tradition*"
This term is not legally defined by **AOC** law.
59
What is *ouille* ("without *ullage*")?
*Ouille* means "topped up." In **Jura**, some white wines are made reductively in which oxygen exposure is avoided.
This term appears most often in conjunction with **Savagnin** (which is typically made in an oxidative style). **Chardonnay** wines, which are normally topped up during winemaking are not typically labeled *ouille*.
The term "*ouille*" is not legally defined by **AOC** laws.
Note: blends between reductively made **Chardonnay** and oxidatively made **Savagnin** are common.
60
How are ouille **Savagnin** wines in **AOC Arbois** labeled?
*Nature*
61
What methods are used for red wine production in **Jura**?
* single-varietal or blend
* many matured in tank or old, large oak casks & bottled within the year for early drinking
* some **Poulsard** wines made via semi-carbonic maceration
* some **Trousseau**/**Pinot Noir** wines made using Bourgogne methods & aged in oak barrels for 6-18 months.
62
What are some typical characteristics of red wines from **Jura**?
* light-coloured
* high acidity
* low tannins
63
Where did *Vin Jaune* originate in?
There is debate as to whether it originated in *Chateau-Chalon* or in *Arbois*.
64
Where is *Vin Jaune* currently produced?
* *Chateau-Chalon*
* *Arbois*
* *L'Etoile*
* *Cotes du Jura*
65
How is *Vin Jaune* made?
Produced solely from the Savagnin grape.
After fermention is complete, the wine is transferred to old barrels, which are not filled completely and then stored in an aerated environment either above or below ground with natural temperature variations (i.e. no temperature control).
The wine barrel is not allowed to be topped up or moved for 60 months. A film/veil of surface yeast (similar to Sherry's flor) develops over time and metabolizes ethyl acetate and acids into aldehydes while protecting the wine from direct contact with air.
This controlled oxidation delivers a wine of unique "sherried" characteristics and also conveys long aging potential.
66
How long can *Vin Jaune* last?
Decades
67
What are the requirements of *Vin Jaune*?
* may not be sold until 6 years & 3 months after the vintage (or January, seven years after harvest)
* must be bottled in a *clavelin* (an unusual 620mL bottle)
68
How is the *clavelin* tied to myth?
Depending on cellar conditions, a significant volume of wine may be lost during the aging period, hence the erroneous belief that a liter of wine is always reduced to 620mL, the size of the statutory *clavelin*.
In reality, the amount of wine lost varies, but the use of this botlle has become traditional.
69
What controversy and struggles has the *clavelin* endured in?
In 1973, Europe drafted legislation that would create uniform wine bottle sizes for the commercial market. The 620mL bottle was slated to be outlawed. The winemakers, armed with rounds of Comte cheese and bottles of Vin Jaune, stormed the European parliament in the hopes of preserving its unique traditional bottle size. It was a prolonged battle.
This bottle did not receive official recognition until 1993.
70
Which **AOC**s are authorized to make *Vin de Paille*?
* *Cotes du Jura*
* *Arbois*
* *L'Etoile*
71
What grapes are used to produce *Vin de Paille*?
A blend of white and red grapes are often used. Most is made from (usually in equal proportions):
* **Chardonnay**
* **Savagnin**
* **Poulsard**
* (Occasionally, **Trousseau** is also incorporated)
**Pinot Noir** is disallowed.
72
How is *Vin de Paille* made?
Grape clusters are dried for a min. of 6 weeks.
Between December & February, the dried grapes are pressed and fermented, followed by a min. 18 months aging in barrel.
73
What is the residual sugar (R.S.) of *Vin de Paille*?
Typically **6-13%** (**60-130g/l**)
74
When can *Vin de Paille* be released?
After **36 months** and is sold in half bottles (375mL)
75
What grapes are used to produce *Macvin*?
This wine can be made with all 5 of the red/white authorized varieties.
* Savagnin
* Chardonnay
* Poulsard
* Pinot Noir
* Trousseau
76
How is *Macvin* made?
By adding *marc* (at 1/3 volume) to grape must. The fortified slurry is pressed, then aged in a cask for a min. 10 months.
The *marc* is made by distilling Jura wine pomace. Wine law mandates a min. 14-month barrel regimen for the marc before it can be used to fortify the must.
It is released with a final alcohol of 16-22% by volume.
77
How many **AOC**s are there in **Jura** and what areas do they cover?
**6 AOC**s in total:
* **4** cover geographical areas
* **2** cover specific styles of wine
78
Name the **4** geographical **AOC**s of **Jura**.
* **Arbois AOC**
* **Chateau-Chalon AOC**
* **L'Etoile AOC**
* **Cotes du Jura AOC**
79
Which of **Jura**'s wine areas is the largest both by volume and by size?
**Arbois AOC**
80
When was **Arbois** awarded **AOC** status?
**1936**
It was among the first French wine areas to receive **AOC** status in 1936, largely due to the efforts of Alexis Arpin.
81
What wine styles are produced in **Arbois AOC**?
* Dry white
* Rose
* Red
* *Vin de Paille*
* *Vin Jaune*
82
Which grape varieties are permitted in **Arbois**?
White:
* [P] **Chardonnay**
* [P] **Savagnin**
Red:
* [P] **Pinot Noir**
* [P] **Poulsard**
* [P] **Trousseau**
83
Where doe **Arbois** take its name from?
This small town is named for the Celtic words, "ar" and "bos", which translate as "fertile land."
84
What soil types are found in **Arbois AOC**?
* Outcrops of red marl & heavy clay (moreso than areas further south)
* Classic gray marl
85
How is wine production in **Arbois AOC** atypical for **Jura**?
It is red-dominant
86
How many *denomination geographique complementaire* (**DGC**) can append their name to **Arbois**?
**1**: *Pupillin*
87
Rank the wine production of the **Jura** **AOC**s from most to least.
1. **Arbois AOC** (41%)
2. **Cotes du Jura AOC** (26%)
3. **Cremant du Jura AOC** (18%)
4. **Macvin du Jura AOC** (7%)
5. **L'Etoile AOC** (5%)
6. **Chateau-Chalon AOC** (3%)
88
When was **Chateau-Chalon** awarded **AOC** status?
1936
89
What style of wine is produced in **Chateau-Chalon AOC**?
*Vin Jaune*
90
Which grape variety(s) are permitted in **Chateau-Chalon AOC**?
White:
* [P] **Savagnin**
91
How much vineyard area do the **Savagnin** vines of **Chateau-Chalon AOC** comprise?
125ac/50ha
92
How are **Chateau-Chalon AOC** wines labeled?
* The **AOC** may only be used for wine made as *Vin Jaune*.
* *Vin Jaune* is rarely stated on the label.
* Most labels carry the term "*vin de garde*" (wine for cellaring),
93
What evaluations do vineyards undergo each year when considering the production of **Chateau-Chalon AOC** wines?
* grapes' potential alcohol
* state of health
* yield
If the potential crop is found to be unsatisfactory the wine cannot be sold as **Chateau-Chalon** and is declassified to Cotes du Jura AOC.
94
How are wines made from grapes harvested in **Chateau-Chalon** from grapes other than Savagnin bottled?
**Cotes du Jura**
95
When was **L'Etoile** awarded **AOC** status?
1937
96
What styles of wine are produced in **L'Etoile AOC**?
* Dry white
* *Vin de Paille*
* *Vin Jaune*
Note: only white wines may be produced.
97
What grape varieties are permitted in **L'Etoile AOC**?
White:
* [P] **Chardonnay** (most widely planted)
* [P] **Savagnin** (2nd most widely)
Red:
* [S] Poulsard
98
Where does **L'Etoile** get its name?
The name means "star" and is from two serendipitous occurrences.
* The wine region is surrounded by 5 hills that form the points of a star
* The vineyard soils are dotted with star shaped "*pentacrinus*" fossils
99
What soils are found in **L'Etoile AOC**?
Clay-limestone marls
100
How are red wines made in the **L'Etoile** area labeled?
**Cotes du Jura AOC**
Red wines cannot be labeled **L'Etoile AOC**.
101
When was **Cotes du Jura** awarded **AOC** status?
1937
102
What styles of wine are produced in **Cotes du Jura AOC**
* Dry white
* Rose
* Red
* *Vin de Paille*
* *Vin Jaune*
103
Which grape varieties are permitted under **Cotes du Jura AOC**?
White:
* [P] **Chardonnay**
* [P] **Savagnin**
Red:
* [P] **Pinot Noir**
* [P] **Poulsard**
* [P] **Trousseau**
104
Name the 2 **Jura** **AOC**s that are based on their production method.
* **Macvin du Jura AOC**
* **Cremant du Jura AOC**
Note: these appellations can incorporate fruit from the entire **Jura** region.
105
When was **Macvin du Jura** awarded **AOC** status?
1991
106
What wine styles are produced under **Macvin du Jura AOC**?
*Vin de Liqueur*:
* White
* Rose
* Red
107
Which grape varieties are permitted in **Macvin du Jura AOC**?
White:
* [P] **Chardonnay**
* [P] **Savagnin**
Red:
* [P] **Pinot Noir**
* [P] **Poulsard**
* [P] **Trousseau**
108
When was **Cremant du Jura** awarded **AOC** status?
1995
109
What styles of wine are produced under **Cremant du Jura AOC**?
* Sparkling White
* Sparkling Rose
110
Which grape varieties are permitted under **Cremant du Jura AOC**?
White:
* [P] **Chardonnay**, **Savagnin**
Rose/Gris:
* [S] Pinot Gris
Red:
* [P] **Pinot Noir**, **Poulsard**, **Trousseau**
111
What percentage of **Cremant du Jura AOC** is white?
**88%**
Note: and much of it is 100% **Chardonnay**
112
What are the grape requirements for **Cremant du Jura AOC**?
White *Cremant* must contain min. 70%:
* **Chardonnay**
* **Pinot Noir** and/or
* **Trousseau**
Rose *Cremant* must contain min. 50%:
* red varieties and/or
* Pinot Gris
