📜 Jura (Swiss canton)

Jura is the youngest canton of Switzerland: it was created in 1979 by separating from the canton of Bern. It lies in the north-west of the country, on the border with France. There are very few vineyards here, and it is one of the smallest wine territories in Switzerland.

The canton belongs to the Three Lakes (Trois-Lacs) wine region, together with the shores of lakes Neuchâtel, Biel and Murten. Vines grow on the slopes of the Doubs valley, around Saint-Ursanne. The climate is cool, so sunny slopes matter.

Growers plant Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay and Savagnin, as well as new disease-resistant varieties such as Solaris. Still white and red wines are made, with small batches of sparkling.

Do not confuse the Swiss canton with the French département of Jura, which makes the famous vin jaune, vin de paille and macvin. The Jura mountains are shared by both countries, but these are different wine areas with different rules. Because volumes are small, these wines are hardly exported: they are drunk in Switzerland itself, mostly at the producers and in local restaurants. The name Jura on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.