Description
The heart of the Jura, Arbois is perhaps the region's best-known appellation, covering a range of classic regional grapes and styles.
Arbois, in eastern France, is the Jura wine region's most-prolific appellation for red, white and rosé wines. Jura's famous Vin Jaune and vin de paille (yellow wine and straw wine) styles can also be made here, but Arbois predominantly gained its reputation for red wines. The town of Arbois is the Jura's regional wine capital.
Varieties
The principal red varieties are Poulsard (or Ploussard as it is known here) and the Trousseau grape. Pinot Noir is also planted. About 70 percent of Jura's red wines are produced under the Arbois name. Savagnin and Chardonnay are the white grape varieties.
Link (or otherwise) to the Arbois grape variety
The link between the wine region and the Arbois grape variety of the central Loire Valley has not been established. Leaf shape is similar to that of Savagnin, but research to this point suggests the Arbois variety originated in the Loire.
Regional production
Arbois wines are produced from around 800 hectares (2000 acres) of vines. Arbois covers 13 communes (Abergement-le-Grand, Arbois, Les Arsures, Mathenay, Mesnay, Molamboz, Montigny-lès-Arsures, Les Planches-près-Arbois, Pupillin, Saint-Cyr-Montmalin, Vadans and Villette-lès-Arbois) on the hills and valley slopes surrounding the town.
One of these – the commune of Pupillin – is particularly known for the quality of its wines. These come from a patchwork of vineyards planted on south facing, limestone rich slopes. Wines from these sites can be sold as Arbois-Pupillin.
Within the zone, a few additional vineyards are designated for sparkling wine production (Crémant de Jura). Some other plots supply fortified Macvin de Jura. which has its own AOC.
Technically the appellation lies within the broader Côtes du Jura appellation. However, Arbois producers are likely to only use this designation if they also own a vineyard plot outside the border and combine the fruit.
Wine styles
The finished Arbois wines cover a remarkable range of the wine color spectrum. The locals frequently use descriptors such as corail (coral) and rubis (ruby) in addition to red, white and rose.
This diversity is due in large part to the fact that 'white' Arbois wines may be made from up to 20 percent red grapes – and vice-versa. Poulsard, the region's key red variety, is lightly pigmented and is used to control the final color of a 'rose' wine.
Geology and climate
The slopes of the region give shelter and catch sun. This partly explains the emphasis on red wine here. The terroir is also characterized by soils which retain heat well. These include limestone and marlstone screes, along with sandy, sometimes clay-rich locations.
The climate is continental, with warm summers and very cold winters – as might be expected at this slightly elevated altitude (350m or 1150ft). The local vine training preference is for high trellising, to keep the vines safe from the ground frosts which regularly occur here in early fall.
Savagnin grapes are particularly at risk from autumnal frost. This is because they remain on the vine until later in the season to achieve the high levels of ripeness required for the production of Vin Jaune.
Etymology
The name Arbois comes from Celtic words meaning 'fertile soil'. This likely refers to the particularly rich alluvial soils surrounding the Cuisance river, which rises just to the east.
First French region to receive AOC status
The Arbois appellation was one of the very first of six French AOCs introduced on 15 May 1936. Its claim to be the very first of all seems to be based on its position in the alphabet relative to the other five.
Easy drinking red wines with bright fruit aromas and low tannins. The wines are often released without much aging in tank, oak barrels or bottle, and are meant to be drunk early.
The style can be enjoyed without food. The wines might also be served cooler than other reds. Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village wines probably typify this style. However, many grape varieties could be used, if grapes ripen moderately, fermentation/maceration techniques do not emphasize tannin and color extraction, and new oak barrels are avoided.
Characteristics
Red fruit aromas: strawberry, raspberry, cherry
Bubblegum aromas (if made using carbonic maceration)
Moderate tannins and alcohol – though given the wine is light bodied, these might be noticeable
Origin：Arbois, France,
Type：Red Wine
Grapes：Pinot, Poulsard, Trousseau
Alcohol：12.5%
Bottle Size：750ml
