Special dessert wine from the French Jura wine growing region. It is produced there in four appellations: Arbois, Château-Chalon (considered the best area), Côtes du Jura and L'Etoile. The production share is only about three percent of the total Jura quantity. Louis Pasteur (1822-1895), a French chemist and bacteriologist born in this region, was fascinated by the phenomenon of Vin Jaune. He studied the complex processes of fermentation on site and made groundbreaking discoveries about the effect of the previously unknown bacteria. The term literally means "yellow wine"; it is also known as "France's answer to sherry". In contrast to the latter, however, no sprit (addition of alcohol) takes place.
The Vin Jaune is obtained from the variety Savagnin Blanc(Traminer). After fermentation for months, it has to mature in oak barrels for at least six years. The wine must not be put on the market until at least six years and three months after the grape harvest. Every year on the first weekend in February, the so-called "Percée du Vin Jaune" (Percée = opening), the latest vintage is officially released during an event. The barrels are not filled to the top and the relatively large natural shrinkage due to years of storage of 20% to 40% may not be supplemented by refilling.
On the surface a grey pile is formed by the oxidative processes, which is a layer of special yeasts. This gives the wine its characteristic nutty aroma, similar to a Spanish Fino Sherry. The yeast layer absorbs the oxygen and allows only a very slow oxidation. The wine is bottled in a special 62-cl bottle called Clavelin. The content of the bottle corresponds approximately to the loss of liquid in six years: one litre of base wine makes 0.62 litres of Vin Jaune. The best qualities can be stored for a hundred years or more. The best known producers are listed under the above appellations.
Complete lists of the numerous vinification measures and cellar techniques, as well as the types of wine, sparkling wine and distillate regulated by wine law are included under the heading "Vinification". Comprehensive information on wine law can be found under the keyword wine law.
Picture: From User:Arnaud 25 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link