Tired of sticking to the same honest-to-goodness merlot you usually buy ? for certain , one of the greatest pleasure of wine drinking is savour new character of wine , where so many distinction in perceptiveness are observable . Those differentiation can be due as much to where the wine was made as which grapes are used to create it . For the devout enthusiast , soil , temperature and humidness of the part in which the grape are grown can also run a great part .
The Jura part is one of many regions in eastern France that produces world - social class inimitable wines . The realm is situated south of Lons le Saunier and north of Arbois , in the western hills of the Jura Mountains . Only 50 knot ( 80 kilometers ) due west of another renowned wine region , Burgundy , the Jura Region is France ’s smallest wine cultivating domain , at roughly 4,000 acres ( 1,600 hectare ) [ source : Lorch ] .
The Jura part is capable of producing a wide pick of wine-colored . More than any other style , the Jura region ’s output is dominated by Chardonnays , a cosmopolitan favorite . However , the region also produces an assortment of sparkling wine-coloured , Sauvignons , Trousseaus and Pinot Noirs . Although it is n’t produce in as high a volume or frequency as other miscellanea , the Jura region ’s most famous wine is the Vin Jaune . [ source : French Wines ] . This rum , bright yellow , sherry - like wine seems to inspire a love it or detest it response . For those who enjoy it , it ’s described as have a kookie , bold flavor . Those that hate it also describe a bold – and bad – fruity flavor , but alas , it ’s the flavor of spoiled nuts .
In addition to the Vin Jaune , the Jura region is also notorious for the regalia of vividness in its grapes . This color dissimilarity often guide to distinctive wine colors , including lily-white wines that come out any where from green to dark orange . likewise , the red wines often appear pinkish or bright cerise .
Jura Wine History and Culture
native to the Jura region , especially in the chief Greenwich Village of Arbois , have been producing wines in the region since the 13th century . And while they ’ve for certain amend on the recitation over the 100 , some of the tradition remain the same . Much like their ancestors , today ’s citizen of the Jura realm are fond of red wine school from the Poulsard grapeshot , a native to the Jura region [ source : UK Wines Online ] .
Much like the Poulsard grape , Vin Jaune is also unique to this region , and holds a especial spot in the cultivation of the native people . Every February , a dissimilar village in the Jura region host the Percee du Vin Jaune . The weekend festival is a celebration of the alone vino and the peculiar region in which it is produced . Though the weather is often dreary , ten of one thousand of masses attend the festival p.a. . The culmination of the festival occurs on the terminal daylight , when the first barrelful of the yet - to - be release Vin Jaune is open [ source : Lorch ] .
Throughout the fete , the total small town is overwhelmed with wine producers , enthusiasts , critics and topical anaesthetic . Due to the regional specifics require to make Vin Jaune , most of the producer call the Jura region their home , and , with the exception of the harvest season , the pocket-sized town atmosphere remains and visitant can tour the vineyard without schedule an assignment in advance . Because Vin Jaune is not readily usable in most of North America , many connoisseurs program trips to visit the fete , as most of the producers offer sizable samples of closely all of their vino , including the comparatively obscure Vin Jaune [ germ : Lorch ] .
Jura Wine Region Agriculture
So what attain the Jura region so special ? Why is this the place where Poulsard grapeshot grow , or where the Vin Jaune , among other wine-colored , has such a decided taste and flavor ? In short , it ’s the singular soil and continental clime of the Jura region . The neighborhood is countersink in the foothills of the Jura Mountains and the diversity of the landscapes , from mountains and foothills to vast valley and basins , involve the type of grapevine that are cultivated and how those grape will taste .
The part has a mild and moderate northern clime that gives the area picture to Sunday , snow and rain . The clay - limestone territory , which admit marl outcrop and well - preserved fossils , similarly provide a unique variety of nutrients in the region ’s soils . Depending on the elevation and landscape painting , the density of these mineral and nutrients can alter [ source : French Wines ] .
Due to the variation in landscape , soil , superlative and rain in the Jura area , it can be split up into four modest territorial dominion : Arbois , Cotes du Jura , Etoile and Chateau - Chalon . Just about any of the wine-colored grapes in the realm can be successfully tame in the Arbois and Cotes du Jura districts , while Etoile is preponderantly bang for its power to produce fine clean wine grapes . The Chateau - Chalon district , on the other hand , is used alone for the production of Vin Jaune because of the district ’s many caves , which are crucial in Vin Jaune ’s special fermentation cognitive operation [ source : Lorch ] .
Famous Wines of Jura
The Jura region is most famous for its Vin Jaune , a clean wine made from very ripe Savagnin grapes . Once reap , the traditional forms of ferment are implemented before being transferred to Bourgogne barrel and commit in a cave , attic , cellar or any emplacement that will allow for plenteous breathing and fluctuation in temperature . The barrel will remain in the destine locale for at least six years , during which time they are regularly monitored for taste and acidity . Most barrels mean to produce the notorious Vin Jaune do n’t make the cut , and are instead used in a blend to develop a chardonnay or are sold as a Savagnin white wine . The complete Vin Jaune is said to have suggestion of peppiness , walnut and honey , with occasional note of hand of curry [ generator : Lorch ] .
The chardonnay of the Jura region is also said to have a unambiguously " nutty " gustatory perception . Chardonnay is the most popular wine grape in the region . It can be used to produce a white wine or a sparking Crémant . The chardonnay grape lily-white wines of the Jura region are often stored in oak barrels after zymolysis and , consequently , carry strong oak notes the longer they stay in the bottle . Some of the more creative producer in the realm experimentation with different barrels and age proficiency , but often release their wine-coloured at a untested age when they still retain the mineral - like predilection of the dirt in which they develop [ source : Lorch ] .
Finally , red wines produced from Poulsard and Trousseau grapes are also prevalent in the Jura neighborhood . These wine-coloured are usually dish out at dinner and pair well with the tastes of the region ’s cheese and sausages .
For more wine-colored - related selective information , chaffer the links on the following varlet .
