SAVAGNIN

This is the grape variety most dear to the winemakers of the Jura. This, married with the grey lias marl, produces the Vin Jaune. It is not grown anywhere else but here in the Jura, and represents 15% of the growing area. Related to the Traminer grape of the Rhine valley, it's name, which in French is close to "sauvage" or wild, indicates that it is descended from vines that were originally wild. It was the abbesses from Chateau-Chalon who first cultivated this vine. The Savagnin is moderately vigorous, with leaves that are either round or with three lobes lightly marked, and of medium size. The grape bunches are short, the grapes small, plump and round. It is usually the last variety to be harvested, often at the end of October when the grapes take on their "bronzed" appearance. Their flavour is very sweet, but delicate.

POULSARD

This is the "favourite child" of the north of the wine region, where it gives surprisingly light red wines. It is typically Jurassian, taking its name from a "pelousse" - a type of edible wild berry, and it represents about 20% of the growing area. This early grape variety has large, deep lobed leaves and produces ovoid grapes. Sweet and juicy, this is also a good desert grape. Used alone, the Poulsard gives a light red wine, that you could almost take for a rosé, however it is not, as it is made by the red wine vinification process. The wine is drunk relatively young. Light, it has a bouquet redolent of woodlands and is very fruity.

TROUSSEAU

This local variety is the most temperamental and the most rare of the Jura varieties, covering just 5% of the planted area. It prefers the areas of the north of the wine region on the more gravely and therefore warmer soils. The grapes are an intense black, oblong, medium sized and plump, almost cylindrical with a very sweet flavour. Relatively late in maturing, the grapes produce a red wine with an intense colour, which after several years in the cellar can rival the best Burgundies. It remains a virtually unknown variety.

PINOT NOIR

The second grape variety that has arrived from Burgundy, which the vineyard of Arlay has used since the 15th century. It is often the first variety to ripen. The leaves are of modest size and even the grapes give the impression of being short and stocky. The fruits are very dark and full of flavour. The Pinot Noir is rarely used on its own in the Jura because the quality doesn't compare to that of their Burgundian neighbours. It is used primarily to increase the depth of colour and structure of the Poulsard.