The French Jura wine region lies north-west of Geneva, on the far side of the Jura mountains, a scenic drive of a few hours through forests and plateaus that crosses the border into France. It is known for wines found nowhere else, above all vin jaune, a yellow wine aged for years under a veil of yeast, and for the towns of Arbois and Château-Chalon; AirportsTransfers.ch can drive you there from Geneva for a tasting trip of one or several days.
- Getting there: across the Jura mountains, crossing the border into France
- Signature wine: vin jaune, made from Savagnin and aged under a veil
- Other wines: Poulsard and Trousseau reds, Chardonnay, Crémant du Jura, vin de paille
- Key places: Arbois, Château-Chalon, Pupillin, L'Étoile
- Local pairing: Comté cheese and poultry with morels
A small region with unique wines
The Jura vineyards are among the smallest of France's classic regions, spread over a narrow band of hillsides between the Jura mountains and the Bresse plain. Their wines are distinctive and long overlooked, but they now have a devoted following among sommeliers and wine lovers. The region grows five main grapes: Savagnin and Chardonnay for whites, and Poulsard, Trousseau and Pinot Noir for reds. Poulsard, also called Ploussard, gives pale, delicate, aromatic reds, while Trousseau is deeper and spicier. Whites come in two styles: topped-up wines, made in a conventional way, and oxidative wines, aged in barrels that are not topped up, giving nutty, complex flavours. Crémant du Jura, a traditional-method sparkling wine, is another regional strength.
Vin jaune and Château-Chalon
Vin jaune is the emblem of the Jura. Made exclusively from Savagnin, it is aged in barrels for more than six years without topping up, during which a film of yeast, the voile, forms on the surface and protects the wine while giving it its characteristic aromas of walnut, curry spice and dried fruit. It is bottled in a special squat bottle called a clavelin, holding 62 centilitres, said to represent what remains of a litre after the long ageing. Château-Chalon, a village perched on a rocky spur above the vineyards, is the most prestigious appellation for vin jaune and is classed among France's most beautiful villages. The region also makes vin de paille, a sweet wine from grapes dried on straw or racks, and Macvin, a blend of grape juice and local spirit.
Arbois and the surrounding villages
Arbois is the wine capital of the Jura, a small town on the river Cuisance with arcaded streets, wine shops and many producers. It is also the town where Louis Pasteur grew up, and his family house and laboratory can be visited; his research on fermentation was partly carried out here. Close by, Pupillin is a village devoted almost entirely to wine, known for its Poulsard, and the Arbois vineyard path offers walks among the vines. Further south, L'Étoile, named after star-shaped fossils found in its soils, produces whites and sparkling wines. Around Château-Chalon, the valley of the Seille and the abbey village of Baume-les-Messieurs, set in a dramatic blind valley, are worth a detour. Many producers welcome visitors, though calling ahead is wise for smaller estates.
Food, cheese and the best time to go
Jura wine is inseparable from the local cuisine. Comté, the region's famous hard cheese, is the classic partner for vin jaune, and cheese-ageing cellars in the region can sometimes be visited. Poultry cooked with vin jaune and morels is a signature dish, along with smoked sausages from Morteau and Montbéliard. Each year the Jura holds a well-known festival to celebrate the release of the new vin jaune vintage, rotating between villages, which draws large crowds. Spring and autumn are pleasant for touring, with the grape harvest in early autumn, while summer brings long days for walks in the hills. Because the villages are spread out and the roads wind through forests, a chauffeur is the comfortable way to enjoy several tastings in a day.
Travelling to the Jura with AirportsTransfers.ch
Public transport between Geneva and the Jura wine villages is limited, so a private transfer is often the easiest option. With AirportsTransfers.ch, you book online, see the fixed price per vehicle and pay securely by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you arrive by air, your chauffeur tracks your flight, waits at arrivals with a name sign and stays on without extra charge if you land late. Book a chauffeur by the hour, from two hours, for a tasting day, or a return transfer to your hotel in Arbois. Sedans suit couples, a V-Class van welcomes up to seven passengers with room for wine purchases, and child seats are available on request. Companies receive an invoice. Questions? Call or WhatsApp +41 78 346 56 77, 24/7.
