THE JURA REGION STANDS OUT WITH ITS DISTINCTIVE FEATURES, SHOWCASING BOTH SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES COMPARED TO ITS NEIGHBORING BURGUNDY.
Characterized by a continental climate of hot summers and cold winters, the Jura boasts a cooler and more humid environment. The soils in the Jura, comprising limestone, blue clay, and grey clay marl, exhibit a unique composition in proportions distinct from Burgundy. Millions of years in the past, as these regions underwent separation, and the Saône Valley began to take form, a distinctive contrast emerged. The Côte d’Or in Burgundy rose with an east-facing exposure, propelled by the uplifting forces of Bajocian limestone. Conversely, the Jura witnessed the formation of west-facing hills, a result of its older, deeper-lying marl clays being pushed to the surface and thrust into the Alps. Currently, the Jura’s vineyards boast a composition of 80% clay and 20% limestone, a reversal of the Burgundian norm (80% limestone and 20% clay). This distinction contributes to the unique and remarkable character of Jura wines.
The region produces some of the country’s most distinctive and sought-after wines. For years, our passion for the wines of this region has been unwavering. They have that little extra something, possessing that elusive quality and a subtle taste that sets them apart. The Jura now brings together the best of the best on all fronts: an extraordinary terroir, widespread organic viticulture, and talented winemakers who are dedicated to producing wine as naturally as possible, working with the region’s unique grape varieties, including Poulsard (a.k.a. Ploussard), Trousseau, and Savagnin, alongside globally renowned varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The flavours of the Jura wines are visceral, vibrant and alive: naturalistic, raw and delicious. These wines are all about texture and truly come to life when paired with a cheeseboard in front of an open fire. We just love Jura wines.
Here are some of our gems from this beautiful region:
Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot
Stéphane Tissot and his wife Bénédicte craft truly distinctive, terroir-driven natural wines in Jura. Stéphane inherited the vineyards from his father and instilled a fresh perspective by transitioning to chemical-free farming. In 2004, he attuned the domain to the rhythms of the moon and lunar cycles. The estate now encompasses 50 hectares certified in biodynamics, an achievement accomplished by the 50 individuals working on the estate, equating to 1 hectare per person—a high-precision approach attuned to nature. Domaine Tissot’s white wines, feature regional grapes such as Chardonnay and Savagnin, exhibit precision, purity, and a pronounced mineral character. Their red wines, encompassing Pinot Noir, Trousseau, and Poulsard, lean towards the lighter side, showcasing red fruit notes and captivating aromatics. Notably, some of their wines, like the Vin Jaunes, are vinified separately by plot.
Marie-Pierre Chevassu-Fassenet
Situated in the heart of Jura in Menètru-le-Vignoble and the estate covers approximately 5 hectares of vineyards planted with Poulsard, Trousseau, Pinot Noir, Savagnin, and Chardonnay. When Marie-Pierre established her current estate in 2008, mostly located within the AOC Château Chalon, working without herbicides was considered impossible in this area. But, driven by her stubbornness and commitment to a natural vision of winemaking, proved otherwise. She demonstrates that sustainable wine production without systemic chemical use is feasible. While the vineyard isn’t officially certified organic, it operates similarly. All work in the vineyard is done by hand, and grapes are handpicked and sorted directly in the vineyard using baskets. Only old barrels and large casks, as well as aged oak, are used – no new wood. Marie-Pierre’s wines are vibrant, bursting with energy and fruitiness, and possess incredible freshness. Minimal sulfur is added only at bottling, ensuring safe transportation, resulting in less than 30mg/liter.
Domaine de la Grapp’A
Self-taught vingerons Aurélie Parla and Julien Maublanc, settled in Arbois, farm 4.5 ha of local varieties and released their first vintage in 2021. Biodiversity and biodynamics (certified Demeter) are central to the couple’s philosophy in the vineyard, as well as a low interventionist approach in their cellar. The vineyards consist of several high-quality, well-exposed plots planted with Pinot Fin (recently planted), old massales of Chardonnay, Savagnin jaune, Savagnin vert (known for its acidity), Trousseau, and Poulsard. They have a small winery dedicated to crafting the finest natural wines possible. Their upcoming vintages will exclusively comprise single-plot cuvées. The 2022 vintage wasn’t submitted for AOC certification and is labeled as Vin de France. The wines express style, elegance, and impressive structure. The white wines undergo rather lengthy aging (18/24 months), while the reds are very clear, gently infused, and incredibly drinkable. These are wines with great potential. Get your hands on while you can.
Domaine de la Renardière
Founded in 1990 by Jean-Michel and Laurence Petit, Domaine de la Renardière, nestled in Pupillin, encompasses 7 hectares of vineyards on distinctive red marl soils. Committed to organic farming practices, the estate adopts a hands-on approach, with a harvest meticulously carried out by hand. In the cellar, they apply minimal intervention, using only a small amount of sulfite if necessary. The family, recently joined by their son Léo, embraces a parcel-by-parcel winemaking, seeking to authentically express the identity of each specific terroir. In the right balance of tradition and innovation, Léo brings a contemporary vision while honoring the family heritage and the richness of the viticultural history of the region.
WHAT A BEAUTIFUL REGION!
