Domaine Grand : Cuvée Tradition 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Cuvée Tradition 2021 from Domaine Grand

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a luminous golden hue, sometimes enhanced by amber highlights, reflecting the oxidative aging process typical of Jura wines.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic complexity with notes of dried fruits, notably walnut, hazelnut, and almond. These are joined by aromas of dried fruits such as pear and fig, along with spicy touches reminiscent of curry and ginger. Nuances of citrus—especially lemon zest and bitter orange—round out the bouquet, while a mineral, saline dimension adds depth.

Palate

The attack on the palate shows a lovely fruity expression driven by the Chardonnay, followed by a rich, complex texture. Hazelnut and spice notes gradually unfold, delivering beautiful concentration without heaviness. Tension and vibrancy carry through the entire tasting, leading to a persistent finish with mineral and slightly bitter accents that add complexity.

Food and wine pairings

Cuvée Tradition 2021 pairs perfectly with Comté, the region’s emblematic cheese whose dried-fruit aromas echo those of the wine. It also complements, with elegance, poultry in cream and mushrooms, freshwater fish such as pike, as well as soft cheeses. Lovers of bolder pairings can match it with spicy dishes that recall the curry notes perceived on the nose.

Serving and cellaring

Cuvée Tradition 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 11 and 14°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but has excellent aging potential through around 2040.

A Jura white wine combining tradition and organic farming

The estate

The Domaine Grand traces its origins back to 1692 with Antoine and Claudine Grand in Passenans. Since 2015, Emmanuel Grand and his wife, Nathalie Morin, have run the estate and undertaken a major restructuring, reducing the vineyard from 25 to around 10 hectares to focus on quality. Certified organic since 2021, the estate carries on nine generations of winegrowing expertise while adopting environmentally respectful practices. Recognized by the Guide Hachette des Vins, which named Emmanuel and Nathalie “Winemakers of the Year” in 2020, Domaine Grand embodies the excellence of Jura wines.

The vineyard

Cuvée Tradition comes from parcels located within the Côtes du Jura appellation, spread across a range of terroirs around Passenans. The soils are composed of red marl, well suited to Chardonnay, and gray marl, ideal for Savagnin. These Jurassic-origin clay-limestone formations give the wines their distinctive mineral character. The estate practices organic viticulture with grass cover between rows, manual soil work, and the use of green manures produced on site. The vines benefit from a continental climate with cool temperatures, helping preserve the grapes’ natural acidity.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in the Jura presented particular challenges, with episodes of spring frost affecting yields. The growing season extended into early October for later-ripening varieties, allowing for gradual maturation. Cooler conditions helped maintain bright acidity in the Chardonnay and Savagnin grapes, delivering remarkable balance despite the climatic difficulties encountered.

Vinification and aging

Cuvée Tradition 2021 is vinified according to traditional Jura methods. The Chardonnay ferments in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and primary aromas. Aging then takes place in oak barrels under a veil of yeast, this characteristic layer of yeasts that naturally develops on the wine’s surface. This controlled oxidative aging process gives Cuvée Tradition its aromatic complexity typical of Jura veil wines, with notes of dried fruits and spices.

Grape varieties

Chardonnay (around 60 to 70%)
Savagnin (around 30 to 40%)