06 Jura - Intro and History Flashcards
(43 cards)
What is the signature white grape of Jura?
Savagnin
Savagnin is descended from wild grapes and is native to the Jura region.
Which grape varieties are related to Savagnin?
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Chenin Blanc
- Petit Manseng
- Sylvaner
- Gewurztraminer (aromatic pink-skinned variant)
These varieties share genetic material with Savagnin.
What unique wine product is Jura known for that is created through the action of surface yeast?
Vin Jaune
Vin Jaune is one of Jura’s most distinctive products.
What is the name of Jura’s annual wine festival?
Percée du Vin Jaune
This festival is one of France’s most popular wine events.
What types of wines does Jura produce?
- Vin de Paille (straw wine)
- Macvin (fortified must)
- Dry whites (oxidative and non-oxidative versions)
- Crémant
Jura has a diverse range of wine styles despite its marginal climate.
How many different wines can small producers in Jura produce each vintage?
10-15 different wines
This diversity is remarkable given the region’s challenges.
What historical challenges has Jura’s wine industry faced?
- Mildew
- Phylloxera
- Wars
- Frosts
- Freezes
- Economic depressions and recessions
These factors have significantly impacted production numbers.
What percentage of Jura’s total wine production was carried out by three wineries as of 2019?
53%
This includes one co-operative and two négociants.
What is the trend in Jura’s wine exports?
Exports are on the rise
Jura’s wines are gaining cult status among consumers seeking alternatives to mainstream offerings.
What characteristics define Jura’s wines?
- Fresh
- Vibrant
- Mineral
- Moderate in alcohol
These characteristics are particularly valued in a warming climate.
What geological period is named after the Jura Mountains?
Jurassic
The Jurassic period occurred approximately 200-145 million years ago.
What geological evidence was identified in Jura from the time of dinosaurs?
Rock strata dating back from the late Triassic to the Middle Jurassic
This evidence is significant for understanding the region’s geological history.
What is uncertain about the introduction of viticulture to the Jura region?
It is uncertain whether the Romans introduced viticulture or if grape-growing preceded their arrival
The Catholic Church kept wine culture going throughout the Dark Ages.
Who ruled the Jura region from the Middle Ages until the late 17th century?
The Dukes of Burgundy, the Habsburgs, and Spain
Jura returned to French control in 1678.
What did the decrees of 1732 and 1774 specify?
A limited list of approved grape varieties
The 1774 decree recommended a total of 14 grape varieties.
What was the impact of wine popularity in Jura?
Non-Jura wine was fraudulently sold as Jura wine.
How many hectares were planted to grape varieties by 1866?
20,000 hectares planted to 42 different grape varieties.
What percentage of wine production in Jura was red by 1866?
80% of production was red.
What challenges did Jura’s climate present to viticulture?
Challenging climate and significant vintage variation.
What significant change affected Jura’s wine industry with the advent of the railway?
Cheaper and more power-packed reds from the south of France began to compete.
What economic hardships did Jura face in the early 1900s?
Downy and powdery mildew, phylloxera, fraud, wars, and poor vintages.
What was the impact of phylloxera on Jura’s vineyards?
The vineyards were reduced by 62%.
Average in France was 27%
How many approved grape varieties were left before the appellation rules?
Five approved grape varieties.
What did many vignerons do after the phylloxera crisis?
Replanted with American vines or French-American hybrids.
