The AOC area in the Jura wine-growing region in eastern France is reserved exclusively for the dessert wine Vin Jaune. It comprises 45 hectares of vineyards on exceptional soil consisting of black marl and limestone in the communes of Château-Chalon, Domblans, Menétru-le-Vignoble and Nevy-sur-Seille. 

History

The area is named after a Benedictine convent where, according to tradition, Vin Jaune was first produced. Among the aristocratic connoisseurs of wine from this region were King Henry IV, Queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1909–2004) and the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II (1868–1918).

Wines

These aromatic wines are made exclusively from Savagnin (Traminer) grapes. The prescribed alcohol content of at least 12% vol is slightly higher than in other regions. Only around 50,000 bottles are produced annually. In poor vintages, the AOC designation is not used; the decision is made by a tasting panel. If the verdict is negative, the wine must be marketed as Côtes du Jura. This was the case for the 1974, 1980, 1984 and 2001 vintages.

Image credits: Max Hendlmeier – www.weintalk.de