🥃 Marc du Jura
Protected EU name: spirit from marc of Jura wines, Savagnin mandatory; at least 24 months in wood, from 40% ABV.
Marc du Jura is a protected EU geographical name for a spirit from the marc of Jura wines. The marc must come from an estate growing at least three local varieties, always including Savagnin. The spirit for consumption is aged in wood for at least 24 months; the specification describes notes of walnut, candied fruit and vanilla.
The marc comes from wines of AOC «Arbois», «Château-Chalon», «Côtes du Jura», «Crémant du Jura» or «L'Etoile». Six varieties are allowed: chardonnay, savagnin, pinot gris, pinot noir, poulsard and trousseau. Distilling and ageing may take place in communes of the departments of Jura and Doubs.
Distillation is in a copper still «à repasse» of up to 10 hl, or in an apparatus of vessels and columns with Raschig rings. Such apparatus does not allow the spirit to be rectified, so the marc must be impeccable. A batch comes from one estate, distillation is finished by 30 April, and the distillate may not exceed 70% vol.
Ageing is in vessels of up to 600 l. Label mentions: «vieux» from 5 years, «très vieux» from 8, «hors d'âge» from 10. According to the specification, 180 of the 216 Jura wine producers, almost 85%, distil their own marc, about 900 hl of pure alcohol a year. The name has been in the EU register since 13 February 2008 (PGI-FR-02027).
Why this matters to you. The label may show neither a grape variety nor the name of a wine, including «vin jaune». Marc is a drink of its own, not a “spirit from yellow wine”. WHO reminds: there is no safe dose of alcohol.
Facts
| Legal basis | EU geographical indication PGI-FR-02027 (since 13 February 2008) |
|---|---|
| EU category | 6 “Grape marc spirit” |
| Raw material | marc of Jura AOC wines from estates growing 3 or more varieties, including Savagnin |
| Distillation method | «à repasse» still of up to 10 hl, or vessels with columns; up to 70% vol., by 30 April |
| Minimum maturation | 24 months in wood, vessels of up to 600 l |
| Alcohol (% vol.) | from 40% ABV |
How it connects to Spirits
🥃 Marc du Jura → kind of → 🍇 Pomace spirits → kind of → 🥃 Spirits
Links
- Next step
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation
- Packed in
- 🍷 Oak barrel, 🍷 Wine label
- Made from
- 🥃 Pomace, 🍇 Savagnin, 🍇 Poulsard
- What it affects
- 🍷 Alcohol and health, 🍷 Drunk driving
- Traditions
- 🧑🤝🧑 French
- Part of
- 🍇 Pomace spirits, 🥃 Marc, 🥃 Pomace brandy
- Related to
- 📍 Jura, 📜 Arbois
- Similar and different
- 🍷 Vin jaune, 🥃 Grappa, 🥃 Marc d'Alsace Gewurztraminer, 🥃 Marc d'Alsace Gewurztraminer
Frequently asked questions
Is it true that Marc du Jura is made from yellow wine?
No. It is distilled from marc, and the specification forbids mentioning «vin jaune», «vin de paille» or the name of a wine on the label.
Why is Savagnin mandatory in Marc du Jura?
The marc must come from an estate growing at least three of the six allowed varieties, among them Savagnin. The specification links walnut notes with it.
How long is Marc du Jura aged?
For consumption, at least 24 months in wood, in vessels of up to 600 l; «vieux» from 5 years, «hors d'âge» from 10.
What is the strength of Marc du Jura?
It is sold from 40% ABV. The specification notes that young marc is often bottled stronger, at 50 or 53% vol.
Who distils Marc du Jura?
Mostly the winegrowers themselves: about ten have their own still, about sixty use communal ones, and the rest take their marc to 7 fixed stills or an itinerant apparatus.
What to read next
- 🍷 Alcohol and health — Alcohol in any drink is harmful in large amounts, and the risks grow with the quantity.
- 🍷 Alcoholic fermentation — Yeast eats the sugar in the must and releases alcohol and carbon dioxide.
- 🍷 Oak barrel — A wooden barrel of oak staves in which wine matures and breathes.
- 🥃 Pomace — Grape skins, seeds and stems left after pressing.
- 🧑🤝🧑 French — The main population of France; their cheese culture is camembert, brie, Comté and roquefort, and the country has 51 dairy AOP names.
Similar
🥃 Marc d'Auvergne · 🥃 Marc de Provence · 🥃 Marc du Bugey · 🥃 Marc du Languedoc · 🥃 Marc de Savoie · 🥃 Marc d'Alsace Gewurztraminer
⚠️ Spirit drinks contain alcohol and are for adults only. Alcohol harms health. Do not drink during pregnancy or before driving; check the label for ingredients and possible allergens.
Sources
- eAmbrosia: technical file of the GI «Marc du Jura», Ares(2016)7194796, PGI-FR-02027
- eAmbrosia register: «Marc du Jura», EUGI00000014195 (PGI-FR-02027), GI registered, EU protection 13.02.2008
- Regulation (EU) 2019/787 on spirit drinks (OJ L 130, 17.5.2019), Annex I, category 6 «Grape marc spirit or grape marc»
- Regulation (EC) No 110/2008, Annex III: geographical indications of spirit drinks, category 6 (version of 31.01.2020)
- WHO/Europe: No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health (04.01.2023)