Best Jura Beverage Types
Translated as yellow wine, this unique dry French wine is produced in the Jura region from the late harvest Savagnin grapes. Several appellations are allowed to produce vin jaune, including Arbois, Côtes du Jura, Etoile, and Château-Chalon, with the latter only producing vin jaune style.
Vin jaune shares some similarities with Fino sherry—both wines are aged under a layer of yeast (voile), but unlike sherry, vin jaune is not fortified. These wines are typically golden yellow, bright and crispy, with flavors and aromas of dried fruit, nuts, spices, white fruit, and flowers.
Savagnin is a white grape variety primarily grown in the Jura wine region of France. It is known for producing distinctive and aromatic wines, including the famous Vin Jaune (yellow wine) of the Jura. The grape is characterized by its high acidity and complex flavor profile, often exhibiting notes of green apple, nuts, spices, and sometimes a hint of oxidation, which is a typical feature of wines from this region.
Savagnin is closely related to other grape varieties such as Traminer and Gewürztraminer, and it thrives in the cool climate and limestone-rich soils of the Jura. Wines made from Savagnin are appreciated for their ability to age well and their unique, terroir-expressive qualities.
Trousseau is a red wine grape variety that is primarily associated with the Jura region in eastern France. It is known for producing light to medium-bodied wines with a distinctive character and good aging potential. The grape is also grown in other regions, including Spain, where it is known as Merenzao, and in Portugal, where it is one of the varieties used in the production of Port wine, known there as Bastardo.
Trousseau wines typically exhibit a complex and aromatic profile, with flavors and aromas that include red berries such as strawberries, raspberries, and cherries. There are often spicy notes of pepper and cloves, along with earthy and sometimes floral elements.
Poulsard, also known as Ploussard, is a red wine grape variety primarily grown in the Jura region of eastern France. It is one of the signature grapes of the Jura, known for producing light-bodied, pale red wines that are highly aromatic and distinctive.
The grape is particularly associated with the Arbois and Côtes du Jura appellations. Poulsard wines are typically light in color, often closer to a deep rosé or a very light red, due to the grape's thin skin and low levels of anthocyanins, which are the pigments responsible for color in red wines.
Macvin du Jura is a fortified wine (officially vin de liqueur) from the Jura wine region. It is made by adding Marc du Jura brandy to grape must—the technique stops fermentation and allows the wine to retain natural sweetness. Macvin is then aged in oak.
It can be red or white, depending on the grapes, but the white style is still dominant. The result is an aromatic drink with floral and fruity notes and good acidity that helps balance out the sweetness. Macvin should be served chilled or over ice.
It can be enjoyed on its own as an excellent digestif, but it also pairs well with desserts.
Arbois blanc is a white wine hailing from the namesake wine-producing region located in the department of Jura that also produces red, rosé, and sparkling wines, as well as yellow (vin jaune) and straw wine (vin de paille). White Arbois wines are made from Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Savagnin grapes.
These golden-colored wines tend to display crisp aromas of nuts, green apples, and white fruit. They are rich and opulent and tend to have an exceptionally long finish. Arbois blanc pairs well with cheese, seafood, cream sauces, and poultry.
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