Lons le Saunier Travel Planning with NileGuide

Around Lons-le-Saunier

Château-Chalon, Etoile and the southern Côtes du Jura
By Wink Lorch

This Guide was last updated on 26 August 2009
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Main appellations

Château-Chalon

Just over 50ha are entitled to the Château-Chalon appellation, the name reserved exclusively for Vin Jaune made from 100% Savagnin. The appellation, which is applying for Grand Cru status, has a pre-harvest inspection committee with the right to disallow use of the appellation for a particular vintage - last time was in the 2001 vintage, which would have been released in 2008. All Savagnin grapes harvested in that year would have been simply made into a white Savagnin wine and sold as Côtes du Jura. The appellation also has a tasting committee to approve the wine before bottling, after the six years of ageing.

L'Etoile

Small appellation around the village of the same name, famed for having tiny star-like fossils in the soil. Mostly planted with Chardonnay, the AC is exclusively used for white wines including Vin Jaune (from Savagnin) and Vin de Paille (where black grapes may be used). The village is also known for its fine Crémant (see below).

Côtes du Jura

The largest AC in this micro-region for all vineyards outside the individual Château-Chalon and l'Etoile appellations. This appellation may be used for all styles and colours of Jura wines including Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille.

Crémant du Jura

Covering the whole Jura region and one of the nine Crémant appellations in France, producing white and rosé sparkling wines using the Traditional Method from any of the Jura varieties. The white sparkling wines must be from at least 2/3rd Chardonnay, and most are 100% Chardonnay.

Macvin du Jura

Covering the whole Jura region, this appellation is for white and occasionally red Vin de Liqueur, or fortified wine, matured in wood.