Jura Flashcards
What is the signature grape of Jura?
Savagnin, a white grape descended from wild grapes. It is connected to a multitude of natural crosses. It has kinship to Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Sylvaner and Petit Manseng. Its aromatic version is Gewurtztraminer.
What is the Percée du Vin Jaune?
An annual wine festival held to celebrate Vin Jaune from Jura.
What are the diverse wine styles produced inJura?
Vin Jaune, (yellow wine),Vin de Paille, (straw wine), Macvin, ( fortified must), oxidative (sous voile), and non-oxidative, (ouillé), dry whites, and Crémant.
Why is Jura regarded as on the “fringe”?
The fringe of France, the fringe of grape viability, the fringe of economic stability capable of withstanding natural and man-made disaster and fringe of fame.
What challenges has Jura faced in the 19th and 20th century affecting its wine industry?
Powdery Mildew
Phylloxera;
Downy mildew;
Poor vintages;
WW1;
Depression;
WW2;
Great freeze
How much of Jura wine is exported?
Around 16%.
There has been considerable consolidation in Jura. How is it reflected in production?
As of 2019, 53% of production carried out by three wineries (1 co-op and 2 negociants). Top 11 producers account for 60% of production.
Who ruled Jura from Middle Ages to 17th century?
Dukes of Burgundy, the Habsburgs and Spain. It returned to France in 1678.
What did the decrees of 1732 and 1774 seek to do in Jura?
They sought to reduce the number of approved grape varieties, unsuccessfully. In 1866 there were still 42 grape varities planted on almost 50,000 acres.
Which technological change in the late 1800´s adversely affected the wine industry in Jura?
The advent of the railroad allowed cheaper more powerful wines from the south of France to compete for market share.
How devastating was phylloxera to Jura?
It reduced the vineyards by 62% compared to 27% for France overall. Many vignerons planted hybrids and quality suffered. Many challenging slopes were left unplanted.
How many vineyards remained after WW2? The Winter freeze of 1956?
In 1866 approx 50,000.
After WW2 - less than 10,000 acres;
After 1956 freeze - about 5,000
What was “ remembrement” in Jura?
The regional authority bought up land and consolidated small parcels into larger, more viable plots, laid access roads to allow equipment in.
What % of total French production is from Jura?
Less than 1/2%.
Where is Jura located?
It is in eastern France, sandwiched between Bourgogne and Switzerland, in the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comte.
How is the winegrowing region of Jura known. How large is it?
It is known as the Revermont. It is a narrow slice of land running north-south for about 50 miles from Saint Amour to Salins les Bains.
What is the climate of Jura?
The climate is Continental with alpine influences. It has long cold winters, very warm summers with cool nights. Annual rainfall is high at 1000-1500mm pa. There are about 1800-1900 hours of sunshine pa.
Why does Jura have higher rainfall levels?
The vineyards are located on west facing slopes of the Jura mountains. As the mountains block the moisture bearing west winds the rain falls year round on the westerly slopes.
What are the climate hazards in Jura?
Frost, hailstorms, rain during flowering and harvest. Disease pressure is heightened due to the rainfall.
What is the French term for a “blind valley”? What is it?
Reculée.
It is a deep, flat bottomed, narrow, steep-sided valley which ends/starts abruptly at the point where its stream emerges from underground.
It is a distinctive topography in Jura.
How is a blind alley formed?
It is formed where a layer of permeable rock or soil (eg limestone) rests atop an impermeable sublayer eg granite. An underground stream erodes the top layer down to the impermeable layer forming a valley which ends where the source emerges from underground.
What are the soils of Jura and how were they formed?
Jura was beneath an inland sea from 230-160 mya. Layers of marl (limestone-clays) formed as sea creatures died, accumulated and compacted.
What effect did the uplift of the Alps have on Jura?
When the Alps rose so did the Jura mountains. The Saône Graben formed. The Alps continued to push the Jura mountains west which created a series of folds of sedimentary rock forming plateaus and buttes.
What are the Graben uplifts and plain called?
On the west is the Morvan uplands and Côte d’Or escarpments. East is the Jura mountains. The Bresse Plain separates these uplifts.
Where are the vineyards of Jura located? What is their aspect and elevation?
Some are found on the foothills of the Jura mountains below the first/lower plateau, and some on the slopes of the detached limestone hills formed during the geological upheavals. They face south- or southwesterly at between 220-450 mtrs.
Howdo the soils of Jura differ from those of Côte d’Or?
Côte d’Or - 80% limestone, 20% clay;
Jura - 80% clay, 20% limestone.
What soil types are suitable for the grape varieties of Jura?
Red marl - red grapes;
Gray/blue marl - Savagnin and Poulsard;
Gravel - Trousseau and Pinot Noir;
Limestone/ limestone rich marl - Chardonnay
Name the 5 main grape varieties of Jura. What plantings?
White - Savagnin (22%)and chardonnay (43%);
Rosé/Gris - Pinot Gris; (rare)
Red - Poulsard/Ploussard (14%), Pinot Noir (13%), Trousseau (8%).
How is chardonnay used in Jura? Soil preference?
Mostly for crémant and 2/3rds of Jura whites. It prefers limestone soils.
How is Savagnin used in Jura? Soil preference?
It has high natural acidity so is ideal for Vin Jaune. Oxidative and non-oxidative whites.
Prefers grey/blue marl soil. Thick skin protects against mildews and rot.
