Jura Wine Region

One of the least known and smallest wine regions in France, Jura also ranks among the most intriguing. Tucked between Burgundy and Switzerland, it’s closer to Geneva (70 miles) than Paris (260 miles). The wine-growing area covers 5,000 acres, with about 200 vineyards. It holds four geographical AOCs (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée): Arbois, Côtes du Jura, L’Étoile and Château-Chalon.

 Although the region is best known for Vin Jaune—a dry, yellow wine aged under flor, a layer of yeast—it is also home to several other unique grape varieties and production techniques.

History

Winemaking traditions in the Jura region date to Roman times—Pliny the Younger was a fan. During the medieval era, monasteries played a pivotal role in cultivating vineyards and producing wines. When European vineyards were devastated by the phylloxera epidemic in the late 19th century, it was a native of Jura, Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet, who developed the method of grafting vines onto American rootstock—a technique subsequently adopted worldwide. An area of Jura (Arbois) received France’s first AOC in 1936. The most notable wines from Jura are still made using traditional methods.

The region also played a significant role in the worlds of gastronomy and wine because of one of its famous residents: Louis Pasteur, born in 1882 in the city of Dole, who uncovered the fermentation agents in wine and introduced pasteurization.    

Geography and Climate

The Jura wine region extends between a rolling plain and the foothills of the namesake Jura Mountains. It is bordered by Burgundy to the west and Switzerland to the east. With both hillside and valley terrain, the area offers a range of microclimates and terroirs. The climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers. To maximize sun exposure, most vineyards are south facing, planted at elevations of 650 feet to 1,300 feet. Soils are predominantly limestone and marl.

Grape Varieties

Five main grape varieties are grown in Jura. The indigenous Poulsard (a.k.a. Ploussard) is the most widely-planted red variety, giving wines with bright, red-berry fruit. It is also used for rosé. Trousseau, another native grape, yields deeply colored, tannic wines suited for aging. Like Burgundy to the east, Jura produces Pinot Noir, but its wines are fresher and more perfumed than those of its neighbor.

Among the whites, Chardonnay has been grown in the region since the 10th century and is the most widely planted grape variety in Jura (43% of vines cultivated). Savagnin is used in the celebrated Vin Jaune and in still white wine production. No connection with Sauvignon Blanc; instead, it’s closely related to Austria’s Traminer.

Wine Production

Jura produces a teensy 0.2 percent of France’s wines: just over 900,000 cases. About 66% of its wines are white and 34% red.

Famous Wines

A forgotten barrel discovered in the back of a cellar. That’s the legend behind the origin of Vin Jaune. The wine (100% Savagnin) must be stored for at least six years and three months in oak casks, during which time it is not topped off and not sulfured. This sleeping beauty slumbers— “sous voile”—beneath a thin veil of yeast that protects the wine from harmful bacteria and imparts complex flavors that range from fruity to nutty to spicy. High acidity balances the rich flavors. Vin Jaune is bottled in a unique 620 ml bottle called a “clavelin.” It should be served slightly chilled, and pairs sublimely with cheese, especially the region’s Comté (a semi-hard, raw cow’s milk cheese).

Vin Jaune is not the only unusual wine in Jura. For Vin de Paille (straw wine), grapes are dried for a minimum of six weeks, either on a bed of straw (hence the name) or on racks or hung from the ceiling. The drying process concentrates the grape juices, yielding a sweet wine best served chilled with appetizers like foie-gras, or desserts and chocolate.

The region also has two product AOCs: Macvin du Jura (produced from reduced Savagnin grapes fortified with brandy) and Crémant du Jura, a sparkling wine made in the traditional method.

Tourism

Held each February, the Percée du Vin Jaune (“the opening of the Vin Jaune”) celebrates the release of the new vintage with parades, fireworks and, of course, copious tastings.

The picturesque towns of Jura abound with history and traditional architecture. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 17th-century Besançon Citadel offers formidable ramparts and lovely views of its namesake city. Arbois features steep-roofed houses, a 12th-century church and the Louis Pasteur Museum, set in the scientist’s childhood home. Perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking its famous Savagnin vineyards, Château-Chalon is called one of the most beautiful villages in France.

Explore the natural beauty of the Jura Mountains on hikes to the Hérisson waterfalls, a stepped series of seven cascades; or by paddling a canoe or kayak on the River Loue.