Côtes du Jura AOC
Key French Terms
The sweeping regional appellation of eastern France, producing every style of Jura wine across 105 communes and 640 hectares of limestone and marl.
Côtes du Jura AOC is the largest appellation in the Jura region by geographical scope, stretching nearly 80 kilometers across eastern France. It covers 105 communes and produces all Jura wine styles, from oxidative whites to the celebrated Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille. Whites dominate production, and the appellation accounts for roughly 70% of all Jura red wines.
- Established as AOC in 1937; wine history in the region dates to the 1st century A.D.
- 640 hectares under vine, spanning 105 communes from Champagne-sur-Loue in the north to Saint-Amour in the south
- Largest appellation in Jura by geographical scope; second in production volume after Arbois
- Produces all Jura wine types: red, white, rosé, Vin Jaune, Vin de Paille, and Crémant du Jura
- Accounts for about 70% of Jura's red wines and 30% of its whites
- Located between Burgundy and Switzerland at elevations of 220 to 380 meters
- Louis Pasteur, born in the region, conducted fermentation experiments at a vineyard near Arbois
Geography and Scope
Côtes du Jura AOC sits in eastern France, positioned between Burgundy to the west and Switzerland to the east. The appellation stretches nearly 80 kilometers from Champagne-sur-Loue in the north to Saint-Amour in the south, encompassing 105 communes and 640 hectares of vineyards. Vines are planted at elevations between 220 and 380 meters, and high trellising is standard practice to protect against autumn frosts.
- Runs nearly 80 km north to south across the Jura department
- Vineyards sit at 220 to 380 meters elevation
- High trellising protects vines from autumn frost damage
- Overall Jura region has approximately 2,000 hectares under vine
Soils and Climate
The soils vary significantly across the appellation's long north-to-south axis. The northern sector is dominated by limestone from the Middle and Upper Jurassic periods, the center features marly soils from the Lias and Trias, and the southern zone returns to Middle Jurassic limestone. The climate is continental, with cold winters, warm summers, high autumn rainfall, and a real risk of spring frosts and hail. The overall character is cooler than Burgundy.
- Northern soils: Middle and Upper Jurassic limestone
- Central soils: marly clay from Lias and Trias formations
- Southern soils: Middle Jurassic limestone
- Continental climate; cooler and wetter than Burgundy with high autumn rainfall
Grape Varieties and Wine Styles
Five grapes are authorised in Côtes du Jura. For whites, Chardonnay (known locally as Melon d'Arbois or Gamay Blanc) and Savagnin are the key varieties. Reds and rosés are built from Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau. White wines dominate overall production. The appellation is best known internationally for oxidative-style whites and two specialty wines: Vin Jaune, aged under a film of flor-like yeast, and Vin de Paille, made from late-harvested dried grapes. Grapes are hand-picked and transported in crates, and pressing uses whole clusters.
- White grapes: Chardonnay (Melon d'Arbois) and Savagnin
- Red and rosé grapes: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, and Trousseau
- Specialty wines include Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille
- Whole-cluster pressing; hand-harvested grapes transported in open crates
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Open Wine Lookup →History and Heritage
Winemaking in the Jura dates to the 1st century A.D., with Pliny the Younger citing the region's wines. Written documentation continues from around the year 1000. The appellation received AOC status in 1937 after recovering from the devastation of phylloxera. Louis Pasteur, who was born and raised in the Jura, conducted his landmark fermentation experiments at a vineyard near Arbois, giving the region an unusual place in the history of science as well as wine. In recent decades, the Jura has experienced a significant revival in global wine markets.
- Pliny the Younger referenced Jura wines in the 1st century A.D.
- AOC status granted in 1937
- Louis Pasteur used a local Arbois vineyard for his fermentation research
- Region has undergone a major international rediscovery in recent years
Côtes du Jura whites range from fresh, Burgundy-influenced Chardonnays to nutty, oxidative Savagnin-based wines with notes of walnuts, dried fruit, and spice. Vin Jaune shows intense walnut, curry, and dried apricot character from extended oxidative ageing. Vin de Paille is rich and honeyed. Reds from Poulsard are pale, delicate, and berry-driven; Trousseau adds more structure and spice; Pinot Noir tends toward red fruit and earthy tones.
- Domaine Rolet Côtes du Jura Chardonnay$18-22Reliable, widely available expression of Jura Chardonnay from one of the region's largest estates.Find →
- Domaine Labet Côtes du Jura Fleur de Savagnin$30-40Textbook ouillé-style Savagnin showing fresh citrus and mineral character without heavy oxidation.Find →
- André et Mireille Tissot Côtes du Jura Savagnin En Barberon$35-45Single-vineyard Savagnin from a leading biodynamic producer; shows the grape's full oxidative complexity.Find →
- Domaine Berthet-Bondet Côtes du Jura Vin Jaune$60-80Classic Vin Jaune from a specialist estate; walnut, curry, and dried fruit in the traditional oxidative style.Find →
- Château d'Arlay Côtes du Jura Rouge$25-35Historic estate bottling blending Poulsard, Trousseau, and Pinot Noir; earthy and elegantly structured.Find →
- Côtes du Jura received AOC status in 1937 and is the largest Jura appellation by geographic scope, covering 105 communes across nearly 80 km.
- Authorised grapes: Chardonnay (Melon d'Arbois), Savagnin (white); Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau (red/rosé).
- Produces all Jura wine styles including Vin Jaune and Vin de Paille; accounts for 70% of Jura red wine production and 30% of whites.
- Soils vary by zone: Middle/Upper Jurassic limestone in the north, Lias/Trias marl in the center, Middle Jurassic limestone in the south.
- Continental climate at 220 to 380 meters elevation; cooler than Burgundy with high autumn rainfall and spring frost risk.