Web Landing - Jura
JURA
The Jura is
a world unto itself. It's a melting pot of curious whites and reds, many you've
probably never heard about. A narrow valley wedged between Burgundy and
Switzerland, this is countryside filled with limestone cliffs and hillocks upon
which the best vines are planted. These wines are tangy, complex, pure and
delicious.
Red or White?
Both. The whites provide a
gamut of styles from the fresh and crisp Savagnin and chardonnays topped up
(ouillé), to the oxidative, rich and nutty styles left purposely under-filled to
encourage flor development. Minerality is a recurrent theme, threading the
whites together. The reds can be a little paler in colour but don't be fooled as
they carry a lot of flavour.
Grapes
Savagnin, Chardonnay,
Ploussard (or Poulsard),
Trousseau, Pinot Noir
Styles
Most of the whites show saline and hazelnut
tones, and if they are developed under flor there are richer yeasty and
oyster shell flavours. As for the mountain reds, there is a cooler tannin
profile and a lovely show of earthy freshness.
Favourite Producers
Domaine Pelican, Stephane Tissot,
Jean Francois Ganevat, Frederic Puffeney