Cabernet Jura

Summary

Cabernet Jura is a premium red PIWI variety created by renowned Swiss breeder Valentin Blattner in Switzerland’s Jura region, producing structured, age-worthy wines with classic Cabernet character and excellent disease resistance. Named for its birthplace in the Swiss Jura, Cabernet Jura has become one of the most respected red PIWI varieties, demonstrating that disease-resistant grapes can produce serious, cellar-worthy wines. With approximately 150 hectares planted and rapidly growing, Cabernet Jura represents a significant achievement in sustainable viticulture—offering winemakers a path to premium red wine production with minimal environmental impact.

Identity

VIVC: Entry #23633
Berry Color: NOIR
Type: PIWI (Interspecific hybrid)

Breeding Number: VB 91-26-1

Creator: Valentin Blattner, Soyhières, Switzerland
Year: 1991 (crossing)

Name Origin: Named for the Jura region of Switzerland where Blattner is based

Genetic Origin

Parentage: Includes Cabernet Sauvignon genetics × disease-resistant varieties

Note: Exact parentage details are proprietary intellectual property of Valentin Blattner, but the variety includes:

Cabernet Sauvignon (for varietal character, structure)
Multiple resistance genes from hybrid material

Breeding Goal: Create a premium, age-worthy red with full Cabernet character and near-complete disease resistance

Result: One of the most successful premium red PIWI varieties

Valentin Blattner’s Legacy

Cabernet Jura is one of several important varieties from Blattner:

Cabernet Jura: Structured, age-worthy red
Cabernet Noir: Related red variety
Sauvignac: Sauvignon Blanc-like white
Pinotin: Pinot Noir-like red

Disease Resistance Profile

Disease	Resistance Level	Notes
Downy Mildew	VERY HIGH	Near immune
Powdery Mildew	HIGH	Strong resistance
Botrytis	MEDIUM-HIGH	Good resistance
Black Rot	HIGH	Good resistance

Spray Reduction: 80-95% reduction vs. traditional Cabernet Sauvignon

Practical Impact:

Often requires zero fungicide applications
Ideal for organic and biodynamic certification
Dramatically reduced environmental footprint

Distribution

Total Global Plantings: ~150 hectares (rapidly expanding)

Country	Hectares	Status
Switzerland	~100	Origin; well-established
Germany	~30	Growing significantly
France	~10	Emerging interest
Austria	~5	Trial plantings
Other	~5	Various

Growth Trend: Among the fastest-growing premium PIWI varieties

Viticulture

Growth Characteristics

Vigor: Medium
Growth Habit: Semi-erect
Budbreak: Medium
Flowering: Mid-season
Véraison: Medium-late
Harvest: Medium-late (similar to Cabernet Sauvignon)

Climate Requirements

Ideal Climate: Cool to moderate continental
Heat Summation: 1,300-1,700 GDD (base 10°C)
Advantage: Ripens more reliably than Cabernet Sauvignon in marginal climates
Frost: Good tolerance

Soil Preferences

Adaptable: Various wine soils
Ideal: Well-drained limestone, clay-limestone
Effect: Terroir influences expression, as with traditional Cabernet

Viticultural Management

Training: Guyot or cordon
Pruning: Standard practices
Yield Control: 50-70 hl/ha for quality
Spray Program: MINIMAL to ZERO—defining advantage
Canopy Management: Standard practices

Enology

Must Parameters at Harvest

Parameter	Optimal Range	Notes
Brix	22-25°	Good accumulation
pH	3.3-3.7	Moderate
Titratable Acidity	5.5-7.0 g/L	Good structure
YAN	180-280 mg/L	Generally adequate

Phenolic Profile

Anthocyanins: HIGH (excellent color)
Total Tannins: HIGH (firm structure)
Character: Classic Cabernet-like profile

Fermentation

Yeast Selection: Various; standard red wine yeasts
Temperature: 26-30°C
Duration: 10-18 days
Maceration: Extended (14-28 days) for premium
Cap Management: Regular punch-downs

Wine Style

Cabernet Jura is made for quality:

Style	Method	Character
Classic	Standard maceration, barrique	Structured, Cabernet-like
Premium	Extended maceration, new oak	Age-worthy, complex
Reserve	Top sites, extended aging	Cellar-worthy

Malolactic Fermentation

Standard: Complete MLF
Effect: Integrates tannins
Timing: Post-alcoholic

Oak Aging

Recommended: 12-24 months
Type: French oak barriques
New Oak: 30-50% for premium
Effect: Integrates well; enhances complexity

Aging Potential

Minimum: 3-5 years recommended before drinking
Optimal: 8-15 years
Best Examples: 15-20 years

Sensory Profile

Visual

Intensity: DEEP (rivals Cabernet Sauvignon)
Hue: Ruby-purple
Character: Classic Cabernet appearance

Aromatic Profile

Category	Descriptors
Fruit	CASSIS (blackcurrant), blackberry, plum
Herbal	Herbs, subtle mint
Spice	Black pepper
Oak	Cedar, vanilla, toast
Aged	Tobacco, leather, graphite

Palate

Body: Full
Acidity: Medium
Tannins: FIRM (age-worthy)
Alcohol: Moderate to high (13-14.5%)
Finish: Long, structured

Comparison to Cabernet Sauvignon

In blind tastings, Cabernet Jura is frequently identified as Cabernet Sauvignon, demonstrating:

Successful varietal character replication
Quality on par with traditional varieties
PIWI breeding can achieve vinifera-like results

Winemaker Considerations

Challenges

Availability: Limited nursery stock
Recognition: Not yet widely known
Appellation Rules: Not permitted everywhere
Pricing: Justifying value to consumers
Labeling: Cannot use “Cabernet Sauvignon”

Opportunities

Premium Quality: Demonstrates PIWI potential
Sustainability: Zero-spray possible
Market Differentiation: Unique sustainability story
Age-Worthiness: Serious cellar wines
Climate Adaptation: Reliable in marginal areas

Winemaking Tips

Treat like premium Cabernet Sauvignon
Extended maceration extracts quality tannins
Oak aging essential for complexity
Allow sufficient bottle age before release
Market on both quality and sustainability

Regulatory Status

Current Authorization

Switzerland: Authorized in major cantons
Germany: Qualitätswein status in some regions
France: Experimental/VQPRD trials
EU: Increasing recognition for PIWI

Future Outlook

Growing acceptance as PIWI varieties demonstrate quality comparable to traditional varieties.

Comparison with Other Premium Red PIWI

Characteristic	Cabernet Jura	Regent	Pinotin
Style	Cabernet-like	Merlot-like	Pinot-like
Body	Full	Medium-Full	Medium
Tannins	Firm	Soft	Fine
Aging	10-15 years	5-10 years	5-10 years
Color	Deep	Deep	Medium

The Premium PIWI Revolution

Cabernet Jura represents a turning point in wine production:

Proves PIWI can compete at premium level
Demonstrates sustainability without quality sacrifice
Opens doors for other quality-focused PIWI varieties
Models future of environmentally responsible winemaking

Sources

VIVC Database - Vitis International Variety Catalogue
Blattner Varieties (breeder documentation)
PIWI International Association
Swiss Wine Promotion
German Wine Institute

Last Updated: January 13, 2026