Has anyone viisted the Jura?

I love the Jura's wines, but a "tour" via Google Streetview indicates that the region is also stunningly beautiful. From what I can tell, wine tourism is well-developed in Arbois and Puligny?, so the tourism infrastructure seems amenable to a visit.

Plus, those little country roads are calling to me as a cyclist. They look simply beautiful in a gentle, green way.

Brian, I would definitely encourage you to visit the Jura region. I have never explored it in any depth nor have I visited any of their vignerons at their estates. However I have passed through the region and have stayed at Arbois on several occasions. The countryside is certainly very hilly and attractive and Arbois is a pleasant town enhanced by the presence of the outstanding hotel/restaurant Jeunet (Michelin **), where I have had several memorable meals combining refinement with a strong regional accent. It was probably close to 10 years ago when I last went there and the then sommelier was extremely good at finding local wines which paired superbly with the cooking. He also had a caviste shop nearby in the town where I was able to stock up on Jura wines, alas long since all gone except for one last bottle of vin jaune from Macle. I am waiting for the home chef to prepare a poularde au vin jaune et aux morilles (chicken with morels cooked in vin jaune) before opening it. This means acquiring another bottle of vin jaune (€20+) for the cooking as well as expensive morels, so not a dish for every day.

Thanks, Tim! It is on my list!

(Although the Loire Valley would probably be first. I have friends who are both cyclists and auto sports nuts, so a trip to Le Mans would be great!

I have a good friend over in the UK who has lots of info. I could hook you up if you like Brian?
Wink Lorch from the UK and France has written a wonderful book on the Jura. Think Tim can back me up on that.

Also great reference material here>

https://jurawine.co.uk/

https://wideworldofwine.co/ (click on Jura).

Thanks, Tim! It is on my list!

(Although the Loire Valley would probably be first. I have friends who are both cyclists and auto sports nuts, so a trip to Le Mans would be great!

Brian, Loire valley is a great choice for a visit but, wine-wise, is much less compact than the Jura with over 400km from the Muscadet region to the area round Sancerre and Pouilly-sur-Loire. There are even interesting wines like the Côtes de Forez much further upstream. As you may know, it's quite a cycle ride from Le Mans to the Loire at the nearest point near Tours; about 100km. Le Mans itself has a very fine cathedral which is unusual in having a quite austere Romanesque nave and a much more flamboyant gothic choir.

PS: I confirm that Wink Lorch's book is great.

Thanks, Guys!

I remember Wink used to post here a while ago?

Will look it up for sure!

Yes, I've been there a couple of times. Have travelled through the whole region and stayed in Arbois. I agree it is a beautiful region, really worth a visit, especially if you like the style of wines they make. Twice I have visited producers (such as Berthet-Bondet) in Château Chalon, a small and quite spectacular little village. Highly recommended! If/when you get there, Wink Lorch's book is a must. She is really the authority on the wines of Jura.

Cheers,
Anders