Arbois is unquestionably the winegrowing capital of the Jura region. Wine has historically been an important industry for Arbois. Its first attempt to officially establish its winegrowing boundaries occurred in 1910, and its AOC designation was awarded in 1936. Though the wines of this region are made from the same varieties as those used in the Côtes du Jura (Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau for the reds, and Chardonnay and Savagnin for the whites), they are more expressive and complex as Arbois’ scree-strewn limestone soils are perfectly suited for growing grapes. The region’s reds are particularly favored by the terroir and account for half of the vineyards that are cultivated. The descriptor “Vins de Paille” refers to sweet wines made from over ripened grapes that are dried after harvest. They develop aromas of dried figs and apricots as well as tropical fruit. “Vin Jaune” is the name for a certain type of sweet, golden white wine made using a particularly unique and mysterious technique. It is aged six years after fermentation in barrels that are not fully topped off. A layer of yeast forms on the wine, imparting intense and distinctive aromas of honey, curry and dried rose petals. Complex, with an extremely long finish, these wines have exceptionally powerful aromas.