Côte de Jouan, flag-bearing Climat
Chablis 1er Cru Côte de Jouan
This Climat of Chablis Premier Cru gets its name from the Latin word jugum(moderately high hill).
Côte de Jouan lies on a moderate to steep slope facing south and east, enjoying early morning sunlight and good air circulation. All the conditions are therefore met for the grapes to ripen properly, without ever being affected by frost. The soil is typical of Chablis with clay and limestone marls from the Kimmeridgian. Keep an eye out — they are shallow and sometimes even appear above the surface!
Côte de Jouan is one of the four flag-bearing Climats on the left bank to not encompass any secondary Climats: Vau Ligneau, Côte de Léchet, Côte de Jouan and Chaume de Talvat.
Character, stories and legends
- Côte de Jouan and the Climat of Chaume de Talvat have many characteristics and advantages in common. The wines have an intense minerality with those flinty notes that are so characteristic of the wines of Chablis. Its firm structure, counterbalanced by its vivacious acidity, helps Côte de Jouan improve over time. It has a 6 to 8 years’ ageing potential.
- Côte de Jouan would seem to derive its name from the Latin word jugum (moderately high hill), which corresponds to the local topography. Do not be surprised if you are unfamiliar with this name: before the end of the ‘80s, the name "Côte de Jouan" couldn’t be found on a label! It is only in 1987 that the name of this Climat replaced "Les Landes et Verjuts", which has since disappeared.