Macvin du Jura Wine

Macvin du Jura is a sweet wine appellation of the Jura region in eastern France. In geographical terms it covers the entire region, although it accounts for only 3% of Jura's total wine production.

Macvin du Jura is a powerful vin doux naturel. It has been produced here for more than six centuries, although it was only granted its own appellation in November 1991. The modern-day version is aged in oak barrels for 12 months before release, and is made from late harvested grapes. All five of Jura's key grape varieties are used in the production of Macvin – i.e. Chardonnay, Savagnin, Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau. Most Macvin is white, although some reds are made, using Trousseau and Poulsard.

The eau-de-vie used to stop the fermentation mid-process (a method known as mutage) must be made from grape marc produced in Jura, and must have spent at least 18 months in oak barrels. The appellation laws also stipulate that the eau-de-vie used must be produced by the same winery as the sweet base wine to which it is added.

Macvin is not a generic term or style used elsewhere in France; it is unique to Jura and is a variation on marc vin. The region's relative isolation, close to the border between France and Switzerland, means that it is home to several anomalies like this, with vin jaune being the most obvious example.