Savagnin Arbois 1997

At the heart of the Arbois vineyard, Roger Martin writes a page in the history of Vin Jaune. At the place called “La Pinte à la Capitaine,” on the blue marls of the Lias, he planted 14 hectares of Savagnin. It was then the largest estate planted in Savagnin. Today, Pierre Martin perpetuates the work of his father and has enlarged the Estate which totals 34 hectares of vines. In 1999 the La Pinte estate made a brave choice by converting its entire land to organic viticulture. Since 2009 they have reached a new stage of practicing biodynamic farming throughout the 34 hectares.

Savagnin (not to be confused with Sauvignon blanc) is white wine grape variety with green-skinned berries. It can produce different styles of wines, from refreshing sparkling and fruity whites to intensive oxidative Vin Jaune with nutty bouquet.

Jura is a small wine-growing region in eastern France that is responsible for both traditional and very unique oxidative wine styles. The region is located between Western Burgundy and Eastern Switzerland and is characterized by a wooded and hilly landscape, twisted by the relief of the Jura mountains. In the production of local wines, five main grape varieties are used: three authentic and two international. The first of the local varieties is Poulsard, a red grape that accounts for about one-fifth of the region's plantings. Trousseau is another indigenous red variety that needs a lot of sunlight. White Savagnin is found throughout the region. They also create wines from the well-known Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties.