Jura is one of the wine world’s best-kept secrets — and frankly, I am a little reluctant to shout about it too loudly. Tucked between Burgundy and Switzerland in a narrow strip of eastern France, this small, cool-climate region produces wines of such genuine originality that they have developed a devoted international following among drinkers who value character over convention.
The star of the show is Vin Jaune — Yellow Wine — made from the Savagnin grape and aged for more than six years in barrels deliberately left not quite full. The resulting flor yeast veil transforms the wine into something nutty, saline, and almost Sherry-like — except it is not fortified. It is famously paired with local Comté cheese, a combination that borders on revelatory. This is not wine for the timid, but it rewards curiosity handsomely.
Beyond Vin Jaune, Jura produces Chardonnay in both oxidative and non-oxidative styles, light reds from Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir — pale, delicate, and food-friendly — and a growing range of Crémant du Jura sparkling wines. The limestone and marl soils, of actual Jurassic origin (yes, that Jurassic), contribute a minerality that runs through the entire range.
Production is small. The wines are genuinely different from anything else in France. If you are bored with the expected, Jura is exactly where you need to be looking — just keep it between us.
Jura Appellations (Official AOCs)
Back to French Wine Regions
Do you want to better understand French wine? May we suggest Be A Beverage Expert (BABE), a guide to understanding wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails.