D3: Jura: Background: Wink Lorch on the Jura
Wink Lorch is a wine writer and educator as well as a specialist on the wine region of Jura in eastern France. A fascinating insight into the wines of the Jura and Vin Jaune, a style unique to the region
Wink has been in the wine trade all her working life and was a founder of the Association of Wine Educators. She divides her time between England and Chinaillon-Le Grand Bornand, a mountain ski resort in the Haute Savoie department of France. She's an expert on Jura which is located 50 miles east of Burgundy on the foothills of the Jura mountains.
The wine styles are mostly unique to the region. The Cremant is the only real international style, a traditional method sparkling wine usually made from Chardonnay. There are five permitted grapes Chardonnay and Savagnin plus 3 reds - Pinot Noir, Poulsard and Trousseau. Vin Jaune translates as 'yellow wine' but is defined by appellation rules as a style of wine, closest to sherry but it is not fortified. Chateau-Chalon is the only appellation in the region to produce only Vin Jaune. It is made from 100% Savagnin which ripens late but is not left to rot. The wine is usually vinified in concrete tanks and goes through malolactic fermentation before being matured in 228 litre Burgundy barrels with space left in the top. A layer of yeast forms called 'le voile' or 'veil', protecting the wine partially from oxidation. The wine is then left for an incredible 6 years before being bottled into 62cl bottles. Vin Jaune is characterised by spices and crystallised fruit on the nose. It is served without chilling and is bone dry with high acidity. Only drink with food - try with Comte cheese, the regional cheese of the Jura, and with walnuts, a superb combination.
Wink also owns and edits the website, wine travel guides , a useful resource for touring the wine regions of France and Europe.
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