Jura wines - a little gold in the heart of the mountains

The wines of the Jura, marked by a strong singularity, come from one of the smallest vineyards in France. Its history, its terroir, and the Jura winemakers have made this land the cradle of exceptional wines.
Besides the development of its iconic “yellow wine”The Jura vineyards hold many secrets. Today, Cavissima lifts the veil and reveals the inner workings of this vineyard in full renaissance. After a brief history of this very old wine-growing region, and a presentation of the Jura terroir and its characteristics, we will explore the atypical production of the famous "Gold from the Jura".

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT CAVISSIMA:

A Brief History

Viticulture in this region dates back to the 1st century AD. Indeed, as early as the year 80, Jura wines are mentioned in the writings of Pliny the Younger. Traces of “yellow Jura wine” in 10th-century documents. The story continues with the efforts to protect Jura wines, which began in 1732. The publication of a decree limiting the list of authorized grape varieties marked the beginning of a quality-driven approach based on regulations. Once established, this guarantee was quickly accompanied by growing renown.

At the dawn of the 20th century, the excellent reputation of Jura wines led to increasing fraud. Due to the then negligible oversight, the best and worst wines coexisted in this wine region. To address this, the Arbois winegrowing society offered winemakers the opportunity to obtain a certificate of origin guaranteeing their provenance. The brand “Arbois wine” It was thus protected from 1906 onwards.

Finally, since the beginning of the 21st century, Jura wines have undergone another transformation. As elsewhere in France, more and more winemakers are adopting organic or even biodynamic farming practices. As a result, organic Jura wine producers are multiplying and now offer highly expressive wines with authentic flavors.

Terroir

Geographical location and names

The Jura wine region covers 2,000 hectares in what is now the Franche-Comté region. This strip, 80 km long and 6 km wide, is one of the smallest wine regions in France. In the 1870s, it was ten times larger! From Salins-les-Bains to Saint-Amour, the Jura vineyards are spread across four AOPs (Appellations d'Origine Protégée) and one IGP (Indicatoire Général Geste) (Coteaux-de-l'Ain Revermont).

Protected designations of origin of the Jura:

Arbois and Arbois-Pupillin AOPs: This appellation is located in the northern part of the vineyard. The most expressive Savagnins come from the Pupillin sector. Worth discovering: the DOMAINE DE LA PINTE 2011 - 75cl Bottle Savagnin Ouillé, domaine using biodynamic methods.

AOP Château-Châlon: Thanks to its homogeneous terroir, particularly suited to the Savagnin grape variety, this appellation is entirely dedicated to the production of Vin Jaune.

AOP l'Etoile: L'Etoile is located in the south of the region, near Lons-le-Saulnier. It produces white wines of great finesse, including sparkling wines.

AOP Côtes du Jura: This is the most extensive appellation in the Jura. It is present all along the Jura hillsides, up to the borders of Burgundy.

Did you know that?

The Arbois AOC dates from 1936 and was the first AOC in France!

Soil and Climat

The vineyard lies at the foot of the Jura Mountains and boasts a landscape of diverse geological profiles. It is these geological differences that give this region its rich diversity. Thus, on gentle slopes, the vines are planted in rows; and on steeper slopes (which can reach 40%), the vines are arranged in terraces. The resulting varied exposures are sometimes amplified by the "reculées" – indentations in the rock characteristic of the Jura region. Consequently, grapes planted facing south or southeast benefit from optimal ripening. The richness of this wine region also stems from the variations in altitude and the diversity of the clay-limestone soils that compose it.

Generally speaking, the climat the Jura vineyard is a climat The Jura climate is continental. It is therefore characterized by very cold winters and particularly hot summers. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year. As a result, Jura grapes experience little to no water stress, a common problem for some other French vineyards during the summer months. However, the region's tendency towards humidity, especially after October, is a downside. To mitigate these risks, winegrowers use trellising (or high trellising). This method, which aerates the vines by raising the grape bunches off the ground, reduces moisture in the berries and thus ensures their good health.

Grape varieties

Five different grape varieties are cultivated in the Jura Mountains. For red wines, Poulsard is the predominant variety. This grape, found only in the region, produces wines of varying hues, very fine and aromatic. Trousseau and Pinot Noir are also grown. For white wines, Chardonnay, the dominant grape variety in the Jura vineyards, and Savagnin are used. Savagnin is an ancient grape variety found predominantly in the Jura. Powerful and full-bodied, it exhibits a remarkable balance between a beautiful acidity and a significant alcohol content. These qualities make it a valuable asset in the production of great white wines for aging.

Obviously, each grape variety thrives in a specific soil/exposure equation.climat which is unique to it. Indeed, Poulsard and Savagnin will adapt to iridescent marls, for example; while les marnes Grey conditions will be more favorable to Chardonnay.

The Wines of the Jura

The wines of the Jura region are remarkably diverse. Indeed, the range of wines produced in this area extends from white to red, including rosé and even sparkling wines. White wines represent a significant portion of total production, driven by two emblematic varieties: Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille.

Vin Jaune, the Gold of the Jura

Vin Jaune is considered one of the 5 best white wines in the world! It's a unique and typical wine from the Jura region, found nowhere else. Made from the single Savagnin grape variety, it is produced in the 4 AOPs of the Jura (Arbois, L'Etoile, Château-Chalon, and Côtes du Jura) can claim the right to produce this “Yellow Gold of the Jura”. Special mention for the appellation Château-Châlon, which is totally devoted to him.

Vin Jaune from the Jura region, named for its golden hue, differs from other white wines in its production. Indeed, it is quite atypical. Vin Jaune is a wine of patience, resulting from a very long aging process in oak barrels (a minimum of 6 years and 3 months). During this aging, and under the natural effect of evaporation, a veil of yeast forms. It is even said that Savagnin has a tendency to "take on the veil." The evaporated portion, which reduces the wine's level, is what is known as "the angels' share." The yeast precipitate forms a protective layer and nourishes the wine during the long months in the barrel. No external intervention is permitted (no topping up to replace the evaporated portion). Thus, the aromatic complexity of this divine nectar results solely from natural phenomena, amplified by the specific characteristics of the grape variety.

To discover:DOMAINE DE LA PINTE 2009 Vin Jaune

Did you know that?

Bottles of Vin Jaune are called Clavelins and have a capacity of 62cl. This unusual format actually corresponds to the volume - after evaporation - of one liter of Savagnin.

Straw wine

Straw wine is another emblematic specialty of the Jura region. It is a sweet wine, very rich in aromas, whose production method is quite unique. Indeed, as its name suggests, straw wine is made using the passerillage technique. Traditionally, this means that carefully selected bunches of grapes are dehydrated on a bed of straw for three months. The finest bunches of Savagnin, Poulsard, Chardonnay, or Trousseau grapes are then pressed before aging slowly in barrels for three years. Just like Vin Jaune, straw wine is sold in a specific container, only available in 37.5cl bottles.