Jura wines

Dating back to Antiquity, the Jura vineyards developed considerably from the 18th century onwards, when an embryonic system of production regulation was put in place. Since the end of the 19th century, preserving wine quality has been a major concern for Jura winegrowers.

The Jura vineyards, which today cover around 1,800 hectares, are located on a terroir stretching from Salins-les-Bains in the north to Saint Amour in the south, planted at an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters. It benefits from a semi-continental climate with often abrupt climatic variations. Jura summers are generally hot and dry. Southern or south-western exposure guarantees Jura vineyards plenty of sunshine and protection from the wind. However, the microclimates can be quite contrasting, depending on the changing topography and varying exposure to the sun. The soils are largely limestone, ensuring permeability and solubility that are particularly favorable to Jura grape varieties.

The Jura produces red, rosé and white wines, as well as sparkling wines such as the famous Crémant du Jura. Yellow wines, very dry and with characteristic nutty aromas, are the most emblematic of the vineyards. Three specific grape varieties dominate the Jura region: Poulsard and Trousseau for red and rosé wines, and Savagnin for whites, complemented to a lesser extent by Pinot noir and Chardonnay, inherited from nearby Burgundy. Six appellations d'origine contrôlée crown the diversity and quality of Jura wines. These include A.O.C. Arbois, A.O.C. Côtes du Jura and, of course, A.O.C. Château-Chalon, which produces exceptional yellow wines exclusively from the Savagnin grape variety.

What's more, the Jura region boasts a number of top-quality estates, including Rolet, Jean Macle, Berthet-Bondet, Montbourgeau, Stéphane Tissot, Labet and Rijckaert.

For more information, visit the official Jura wines website.