While the Jura has always been a vineyard for connoisseurs, the region is still relatively unknown. Michel TISSOT & Fils and Nicolas POTEL have set themselves the task of introducing wine lovers to the region’s full potential.
On the eastern border of France, between Burgundy and Switzerland, the vineyards stretch over 80 kilometres, along the foothills of the Jura massif. With 1,800 hectares and 180 producers, it is France’s smallest wine-producing area and surely one of its most interesting.
Renowned for its unique grape varieties such as the famous Savagnin, from which Vin Jaune and the region's signature white wines are made, and then Trousseau and Poulsard for the red wines, Jura is also and above all a terroir suited to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Between them, these two grape varieties cover 60% of Jura’s vineyards!
Cultivated in the region since the 10th century, Chardonnay is more than just a native variety... It is the predominant grape in the Jura vineyards, representing 45% of the vines, and expresses its full potential on the Jura’s light, limestone soil.
Pinot Noir has often been used in combination with local grape varieties, for its contribution in terms of flavours and aromas, and its ageing qualities. Planted since the 15th century in the Jura on gravelly soil, it is often the first to reach maturity in the vineyards. Today, the incredible expression of Jura Pinot Noir vinified as a single variety is being rediscovered and appreciated not only in the Jura, but all over the world.
These two iconic grape varieties and relative proximity are not the only points of convergence with neighbouring Burgundy. One could even speak of vineyard “cousins”, the resemblance is so obvious in terms of climate and soil.
The Jura’s terroirs are, in fact, the perfect geological counterpart of Burgundy on the opposite side of the Saône, while the temperature curves, days of sunshine and weather averages resemble those of the Burgundy hillsides.
In this way, not forgetting the historical roots that have always linked these two regions, it is clear that the Jura can be considered as a sixth Burgundy “Côte”.