Jura

This small appellation in the Jura wine-growing region in France is applicable only for vin jaune. The vineyard area totals 45 hectares in the commune of Château-Chalon, which was named after an abbey, and in three neighbouring communes. It is reputed that vin jaune was “invented” in this abbey. Among the enthusiastic aristocratic followers of this style of wine from the region was king Henry IV., queen Juliana of the Netherlands (1909-2004) and the last Russian czar, Nicholas II. (1868-1918). The unusual soil is made up of limestone and black marl. A commission assesses the quality of the grapes each year. The appellation is not used at all in poor vintages, examples for this are 1974, 1980, 1984 and 2001. The spicy wines of Château-Chalon are among the very best of the four vin jaune appellations. The required minimum alcohol level of 12% vol is a little higher than in the other areas, but is usually considerably exceeded in practice. Annual production is only around 50.000 bottles. Well-known producers include Domaine Berthet-Bondet, Jean Bourdy, Philippe Butin, Daniel et Pascal Chalandard, Franck Guigneret, Domaine Jean Macle and Domaine de la Pinte.