Jura wine

The renowned French chemist and biologist Louis Pasteur was born and raised in the Jura region and owned a vineyard near Arbois.

Chardonnay and Pinot noir clippings were brought to the region from Burgundy during the Middle Ages and were used to a limited degree given that there were some 40 other grape varieties prevalent in Jura for most of its winemaking history.

Towards the end of the 20th century both grapes began to increase in popularity, particularly the Chardonnay vine which now accounts for nearly 45% of all Jura plantings and is valued for its good sugar levels and early ripening.

[1] Pinot noir is used to make a varietal style of wine or as a blend to deepen the color of the pale Poulsard grape.

During this time the wine oxidizes and grows a film of yeast that is similar to, but not the same strain as, the Jerez region flor.

[5] Due to the cool climate, chaptalization is permitted in the Jura region and is sometimes a necessity to compensate for the low sugar levels in the underripe vintages.

[1] Producers in the Jura include Gaspard Feuillet, Chateau Béthanie, Domaine Berthet-Bondet, Frédéric Lornet, and Henri Maire.