The Jura wine-growing area in Franche-Comté extends over 80 km (50 miles). Situated between Switzerland and Burgundy, the wine region is called ‘Revermont’ in France. The vineyards produce wonderful wines, with vin jaune and vin de paille being the best known. Here’s a guide to wine growing areas to explore.
Some facts about Jura wine
- 2,000 hectares area.
- Many different terroirs (covering soil, air, climate and production methods)
- 5 grape varieties
- 6 AOC (Denomination of controlled origin)
- 200 vineyards
The wine area
The area extends from the northern Arbois area, near Salins-les-Bains in the southwest to Saint-Amour.
Explore Jura wines
- The best way to cover the area is by car. Pick up a map at any of the tourist offices in the area or click on the Jura tourism site and plan your own route.
- Walk on designated routes such as the Pupillin Vineyard Trail from the center of town that takes you to local vineyards.
- Rent a bike and ride the slow route through the vineyards.
- More tips and routes can be downloaded to your computer or smartphone from the wine section of the Jura tourism site, although only the main part of the site is in English. But it has special package deals that include lodging, dinner and breakfast, wine tastings, and cooking demonstrations.
Suggested vineyards and wine-related attractions to visit
- In Arbois:
Musée de la Vigne et du Vin (Wine Museum)
Taste biodynamic wines at the Domaine de la Pinte
Taste wines at the Cellier Saint-Benoit , Pupillin
- In Lons-le-Saunier:
Taste wines at Domaine Pignier , Montaigu
Grape varieties in the Jura
There are five varieties of Jura grape.
- Red wine :
Pinot noir that appeared in the 15th century courtesy of Count Jean de Chalon. It is the most reliable vine.
Trousseau . It is believed to have originated in France-Comté, in the 18th century. It needs more sun than other varieties and it ripens late.
- Pink swear:
Poulsard (also called Ploussard) is the typical Jura variety that was developed in the 15th century .
- White wine:
Chardonnay Also grown in Burgundy, Chardonnay has been grown in the Jura since the 10th century. It is the most common type of grape.
Savagnin A typical Jura variety, it is used to produce the famous vin jaune (golden wine). It is a close relationship to Traminer in Alsace and has a romantic history. It is said that it was sent to the abbesses of Château-Chalon by Hungarian nuns.
Jura special wines
- Vin Jaune . This is considered the jewel in the crown and is one of the best wines in the world. It started in the Château-Chalon area, but is now also made under the names Arbois, L’Étoile and Côtes du Jura. It is made differently from most wines. Produced only from the Savagnin grape variety, it is fermented and then must be stored for a minimum of six years and three months in oak barrels. It does not fill or build up and, during the aging process, a layer of yeast forms on the surface that stops oxidation. It is bottled in special ‘Clavelins’, which only take 62cl instead of the usual 75cl for a bottle of wine.
- Vin de Paille . The ‘straw wine’ is only produced from the best grapes that are harvested and then allowed to dehydrate in a dry room for several months, either on a bed of straw on wicker racks or by hanging the bunches from the rafters. The idea is that this will naturally concentrate the juice. Produces a sweet wine that is 14-17% alcohol by volume. Vin de paille is aged for three years in barrels before bottling.
Six Jura AOC wines
- AOC Arbois . The wine capital of Jura and the first to receive an AOC in Jura in 1936.
- AOC Château-Chalon . On an imposing cliff that extends over the countryside, Château-Chalon is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages in France). It only produces ‘vin jaune’.
- AOC Côtes du Jura. This AOC is the most widespread across many different terroirs and extends from Salins-les-Bains in the north to Saint-Amour in the south.
- AOC L’Etoile. This village, east of Lons-le-Saunier is called (l’Etoile means star) for two reasons. The town is surrounded by five hills that form the points of a star. But it is also due to the presence of pentacrinus, small starfish that were fossilized and are buried under rows of vines.
- AOC Macvin du Jura. This is a concentrate made up of typical Jura and Marc grape varieties ( eau de vie or liqueurs). It is a liqueur wine and the only one produced from grape brandy instead of wine. It was mentioned in the 14th century and it comes from unfermented grape juice, to which a third of Marc is added. It is then aged in oak barrels for at least 2 months. You have to reach 16-22% alcohol by volume to get the COC.
- AOC Crémant du Jura . The bubbly alternative to champagne is delicious every time.
The Organización Oficial del Vino Jura
Interprofessional Jura Wines Committee
Château Pecauld – BP 41
39600 ARBOIS
Phone: 00 33 (0) 3 84 66 26 14
Web sitio
More about Jura
- Salins-les-Bains Grandes Salinas
- The charming undiscovered town of Dole
- How to get to Dole from Paris or London
