Jura Vin Jaune
Interesting Facts
A bottle of vin jaune from 1774 sold at auction in 2012 for $49,200.
Savagnin is called a 'founder variety' because it's a parent to such grapes as Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Grüner Veltliner.
In the Jura, Savagnin is also known as 'Naturé'.
A classic pairing of vin jaune is Comté, a cheese that's also from the Jura.
How does this style taste?
Based on 1,279 reviews of 128 wines
Light
Bold
Soft
Acidic
Dry
Sweet
- nutty
- walnut
- almond
- hazelnut
- toast
- marzipan
- biscuit
- dried fig
- brioche
- maple syrup
- roasted almond
- toasted almond
0 mentions of ageing notes
- honey
- minerals
- mushroom
- saline
- smoke
- earthy
- salt
- stone
- wax
- leather
- ginger
- chalk
0 mentions of earthy notes
- cheese
- yeast
- cream
- oil
- banana
- cheesy
- toasted bread
- sourdough
- yogurt
- lemon curd
- sweaty
- parmesan cheese
0 mentions of yeasty notes
Grapes
Get to know the style
Vin jaune from the Jura region of France, is best known for oxidized nutty and toasty flavors and aromas, similar to a dry Fino Sherry. These high-acid wines also offer up notes of curry, spice, citrus and mineral.
To create vin jaune, wine from Savagnin grapes—an ancient variety native to northeastern France and southwestern Germany—spends six years nearly untouched under a layer of flor (naturally occurring yeast) inside a cask (a process similar to sherry production, but Vin Jaune is not fortified).
Vin jaune is made in four Jura appellations: Arbois, Château-Chalon, Côtes du Jura and L'Étoile. The best examples of vin jaune come from Château-Chalon, where the Savagnin is late-harvested so it achieves more flavor and ripeness. It is also the only wine that's allowed to be made in that region.
True to its name, 'vin jaune', which translates to 'yellow wine', can show in the glass as bright yellow or golden in color.