Jura AOCs Flashcards
Arbois AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chardonnay Savgnin
Red: [P] Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
The small town of Arbois takes its name from 2 Celtic words, “ar” and “bos,” which translate as “fertile land.” It was among the first French wine areas to receive AOC status in 1936 largely due to the efforts of Alexis Arpin.
This is the largest of the Jura wine areas both by wine volume and by size. The soil has more outcrops of red marl and heavy clay than growing areas further south. Classfic gray marl can be found here as well.
All 5 main grape varieties are grown here, and all styles of wine are made. However, production is atypical for Jura; it is red-dominant.
Vin Jaune is made with Savagnin only, and Vin de Paille cannot use Pinot Noir.
One DGC, Pupillin, can append its name to Arbois.
Chateau-Chalon AOC
Wine Styles: Vin Jaune
Grape Varieties:
White: [P]Savagnin
The Chateau-Chalon AOC comprises 50ha of Savagnin. The AOC name may only be used for wine made as Vin Jaune. Vin Jaune is rarely stated on the label; most carry the term “vin de garde” (wine for cellaring).
Vineyards are evaluated each year with regard to the grapes’ potential alcohol, state of health and yield. If the potential crop is found to be unsatisfactory, the wine cannot be sold as Chateau-Chalon and is declassfied to Cotes du Jura AOC. Wines made from grapes other than Savagnin in the area must also be bottled as Cotes du Jura.
L’Etoile AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red: [S] Poulsard
L’Etoile derives its name from two serendipitous occurences. The wine region is surrounded by five hills that form the points of a star, and the vineyards, while comprised of the usual clay-limestone marls, have more limestone than other areas and are dotted with star shaped “pentacrinus” fossils. The French word “L’Etoile” means “star.”
Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape variet here, followed by Savagnin and Poulsard. Only white wines may be produced. (It should be noted that Vin de Paille falls into the white category even if red grapes are incorporated.) Vin Jaune is made from Savagnin only. Any red wines made in the area are labeled as Cotes du Jura AOC.
Cotes du Jura AOC
Wine Styles: Dry White, Rose, Red, Vin de Paille, Vin Jaune
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red: [P] Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
The Cotes du Jura Appellation is the second-largest AOC in size and volume. It encompasses a wide variety of styles and allows for all of Jura’s 5 main grapes. Vin Jaune is made with Savagnin only and Vin de Paille cannot use Pinot Noir.
Macvin du Jura
Wine Styles: Vin de Liqueur - White, Rose, Red
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chardonnay, Savagnin
Red: [P] Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
Macvin du Jura represents 6% of Jura’s production. Chardonnay and Savagnin are used for the white versions, whereas Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau are used for the reds and roses.
Cremant du Jura
Wine Styles: Sparkling White, Sparkling Rose
Grape Varieties:
White: [P] Chardonnay, Savagnin
Rose/Gris: [S] Pinot Gris
Red: [P] Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau
Most Cremant du Jura - 88% - is white and much of it is 100% Chardonnay. AOC law requires that white Cremant must contain at lelast 70% Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and/or Trousseau. Rose Cremant du Jura must contain 50% or more of the red varities and/or the rare Pinot Gris.
