Jura

Question 1

What is the geography like in Jura and how does that influence the wine making?

Answer 1

Dominated by forested Jura Mountains, it provides detachment from the rest of France that allows more traditional wine styles and grapes to survive.

Question 2

Why is this region called “Jura”?

Answer 2

Named after the Jurassic Era where the limestone formations of the time were first studied.

Question 3

Where are the vineyards located in Jura and what soil types are present?

Answer 3

Lower slopes of the Jura Mountains. Jurassic limestone, marl, and a good deal of clay (at the lowest sites).

Question 4

What is the standard appellation in Jura and what types of wines does it cover?

Answer 4

Cotes du Jura AOP–covers wines of all three colors

Question 5

Main red grapes of Jura

Answer 5

Pinot Noir, Trousseau, and Ploussard

Question 6

White grapes of Jura

Answer 6

Chardonnay (typically 100%–also called Gamay blanc)

Savagnin (aka Nature) can be added as a blending agent

Question 7

What is vin jaune? What grapes are used?

Answer 7

Also known as yellow wine, it is made exclusively from Savagnin. After fermentation it is kept in barrel until Dec 15th of the sixth year following the harvest, during which the wine isn’t topped up and a voile develops, preventing oxidation, resulting in a nutty, almost curried flavor.

Question 8

What commune specializes in vin jaune and what type of bottle must be used?

Answer 8

Chateau Chalon AOP must bottle their wines in a clavelin.

Question 9

What is vin de paille and what is the one grape excluded from its production?

Answer 9

Straw wine. Ripe, but not botrytised grapes dry for at least 6 weeks to concentrate. Pinot Noir is excluded from production.

Question 10

What is the only commune (of the 12) in Arbois that can amend its name to Arbois?

Answer 10

Pupillin