Nestled between Saumur and Tours in the Loire Valley, Chinon is a wine appellation that perfectly embodies the elegance and diversity of the wines from its magnificent region.
Primarily known for its red wines made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety, Chinon is much more diverse than it appears, whether in terms of grape varieties, terroirs, or winemaking styles.
To better understand it,
The AOC Chinon, between Saumur and Tours, crossed by the Vienne
History of the AOC Chinon
The wine history of Chinon dates back to the Gallo-Roman era. It is indeed supposed that the vine was already present in these lands as early as the 2nd century AD. During this period, production only met local needs.
In the 12th and 13th centuries, viticulture allowed the town of Chinon to develop significantly.The local wines were then served at the court of Henry II Plantagenet (King of England) and Philip II Augustus (King of France), making Chinon a royal wine.
In the 16th century, the wines of the region entered the pantheon of literature thanks to François Rabelais and his famous Gargantua. « — O Lacryma Christi ! — It’s wine from La Devinière, it’s pineau ! — Ah, the lovely white wine ! Upon my soul, it's taffeta !». This famous situation cites here "La Devinière", a hamlet in the village of Seuilly, located a few miles from Chinon. The "pineau" mentioned here refers to our current Chenin.Because yes, unlike today, white wine was once largely predominant in the Chinon vineyard!
In the 18th century, local wines were exported with great success thanks to Dutch merchants. They introduced Chinon wine to a wealthy foreign clientele, particularly English and Dutch.
Finally, in 1937, the Chinon AOC was finally created and allowed to protect the authenticity and quality of the wines produced in the region.
Today, the appellation covers about 2,400 hectares spread over 26 villages and includes more than 200 producers. The wines are predominantly consumed in France while 10% of the production is intended for export.
The villages of the AOC Chinon
Climate and soils of Chinon
The climate of Chinon is of the temperate oceanic type, with continental influences. Winters are mild and summers moderately warm, allowing for a slow and steady ripening of the grapes. Chinon actually has the mildest climate in Touraine!
The precipitation is rather moderate and well distributed throughout the year, thus avoiding excessive water stress.Finally, the vineyard experiences, depending on the vintages, the influence of cool and dry East winds as well as warmer and more humid West winds.
The diversity of the terroirs is also one of the major assets of the appellation. The vineyard is based on a tuffeau subsoil (chalk) formed 90 million years ago. It is this same tuffeau that has been used for centuries to build houses and cellars.
On this chalk base, we then identify three main types of soils:
- Clay-limestone soils : located on the hillsides, these soils are conducive to the production of high-quality red wines, offering fine tannins and a beautiful minerality.
- Sandy and gravelly soils : located in the valleys and plains along the Vienne, these soils generally produce lighter and fruitier wines, best enjoyed young.
- Tuffeau soils : characteristic of the Chinon region, these chalky soils are perfect for white wines, bringing freshness and minerality.
However, be cautious of shortcuts establishing a definitive causal link between soil types and wines...One can sometimes be very surprised during a tasting!
The wines of the AOC Chinon
Accounting for 90% of the local production, the red wines are the flagship of the appellation. With more than 13 million bottles, Chinon is also the leading red wine-producing appellation of Loire !
Made from the Cabernet Franc grape variety, locally called "Breton", the reds here present aromas of fresh red and black fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, etc.), associated with a certain minerality as well as light vegetal and spicy nuances (notably pepper).Depending on the terroir and the winemaking style, the tannins can be more or less pronounced and the body more or less dense. Some reds are enjoyed in their youth, while others can be kept for 10 years or more!
Note that the Cabernet Sauvignon can also be used as an accessory variety, up to a maximum of 10%. However, in practice, few winemakers use it.
These same grape varieties also allow for the production of rosé wines, accounting for 8% of the local production. These offer delicious notes of fleshy red fruits like cherry, strawberry, or raspberry and present a beautiful texture on the palate.
Finally, the white wines, which represented the majority of production a few centuries ago, are now very much in the minority (although delicious), accounting for only 2% of production. They are dry, made from the single Chenin grape variety and offer the taster liveliness, minerality, fruity notes (citrus, quince, peach, pear, apricot), and floral notes. Most are intended to be consumed within the first five years following their vintage.
Cabernet Franc vines on the AOC Chinon
What to eat with a Chinon ?
Such a range of colors and wines obviously allows for imagining numerous culinary pairings with the wines of the appellation! Here are some examples to ideally pair your cuvées.
- Charcuterie: the red wines of Chinon pair wonderfully with charcuterie. Sausage, country ham, and pork rillettes indeed make a perfect match with the light and delightful reds of the appellation.
- White meats: a roast chicken, poultry in sauce, or a vegetable risotto are enhanced by the floral and fruity aromas of Chenins from Chinon. However, fleshy rosés and light reds can also do the trick according to your preferences!
- Red meats: a rack of lamb, a beef fillet, or a duck breast pair perfectly with the most structured red wines of the appellation. Do not hesitate to opt for the most powerful and tannic vintages here.
- Cheeses: goat cheeses from the region, such as Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, find an ideal companion in Chinon whites, balancing their creamy texture with a welcome liveliness.
- Fish and seafood: the dry white wines of Chinon pair perfectly with oysters, grilled fish, or shellfish, thanks to their freshness and minerality.
You will have understood, many dishes can ideally be paired with at least one of the local colors!
What are the best wines of Chinon ?
Among the emblematic producers of the Chinon appellation, the Fabrice Gasnier estate certainly stands out.Based in Cravant-les-Côteaux, the vineyard is cultivated here using biodynamics and covers 35 hectares spread across the different soil types of the appellation. The family's wines are renowned for their purity and fruit depth, making them a very reliable choice. We therefore recommend their range which is flawless!
From enjoyable wines to serious and complex cuvées, you will surely find your happiness with them! And if you need advice, do not hesitate to contact
See you soon for new discoveries!
The entire Gasnier family
