It's both a curse and a blessing that the remote Jura, Arbois, and Côtes du Jura AOCs remain on the sidelines of major commercial French winemaking. But for anyone who appreciates Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Savoie, this sparsely planted alpine region near the Swiss border is worth exploring. There are some mainstream grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, as well as several other red and white grapes used in blends, Crémant du Jura, Sherry-like Vin Jaune, sweet fortified Macvin du Jura, and brandy. Local varietals to try are Savignin-based white wines and reds made with Poulsard and Trousseau. Given the quality, anything you choose is incredibly food-friendly, versatile, and moderately priced compared to other regions.
