Jura

The appellation is located in the Jura wine-growing region in France, and applies to a sweet vin de liqueur. The appellation was classified in 1991, the fourhundredth appellation in France. This type of wine has been produced in France since the 14th century. The unusual formula is ascribed to the abbesses of the Château-Chalon abbey. It was originally a cooked wine to which spices and flavours had been added. It was known as Galant at the time, and was the favourite wine of Margaret of France, the duchess of Burgundy and wife of Philipp the Bold (1363-1404). In later times, a grape must was produced that had been concentrated by boiling, and this was then blended with spirits made from the grape husks (grappa-style), and known as Mistelle. Before being classified as an AC, it was known as Maquevin or Marc-Vin. There are white versions made from Chardonnay, Poulsard and Savaginin, as well as rosé and red versions made from Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir. These are used to make both varietal and blended products. The fermentation of the must is stopped at an early stage by the addition of marc that has been matured in oak for a minimum of 18 months, the resulting wine has a very high level of residual sugar, and an alcohol content of up to 20% vol., Macvin must be matured in oak for a minimum of one year, and may not be sold before the 1st of October of the year following the harvest. Well-known producers include Domaine Baud, Château de l´Etoile, Bernard Frères, Henri Maire and Domaine Désiré Petit.