Vin de chinon Vignes de Marc PlouzeauGet to know an area with a strong wine-growing character, marked by vineyards where the Cabernet Franc grape is king. In the land of the illustrious François Rabelais (honoured in Seuilly by a remarkable museum in the house where he was born, La Devinière), indulge in the pleasures of good things that delight the heart and the mind. Work with the winegrowers to appreciate the authenticity of Chinon wines!
Vignes à Beaumont En Veron AOC Chinon
Aoc Chinon wineA town of art and history, Chinon is a delight for walkers, with its cobbled streets lined with pretty buildings and shops where you can sit and eat. As you turn a corner, you’ll catch a glimpse of the impressive royal fortress: it was here that Joan of Arc changed the fate of the kingdom of France when she met Charles VII.
Vineyards have been developing since the 4th century. The Loire and Vienne rivers, which were navigable, accompanied its development, making it easy to export wine production and spreading its reputation. Chinon wine was served at the courts of Henry II Plantagenet, Philippe Auguste and Charles VII. As some of the written records show, Chinon was a wealthy town in the 13th century, and the cultivation of vines had a lot to do with it.
Five centuries later, a new stage was reached: from their trading posts in Nantes, the great Dutch merchants introduced Chinon wine to a wealthy English and Dutch clientele outside France. As a result, the Chinon vineyards began to focus on the production of quality white wines. Yes, white! At the time, it was the white wines made from the Chenin grape variety that were prized.
AOC Chinon harvest - Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault
Domaine de Marc Plouzeau AOC Chinon
Rosé wine - AOC Chinon
Caves du Domaine Lambert - AOC Chinon
AOC Chinon rosé - CNVL boat at
Vendanges dans le vignoble de ChinonMore than 150 winegrowers fly the Chinon appellation flag high, making the most of the yellow-tinged tuffeau soil, which is clayey-limestone or clayey-sandy and rests on deep chalky layers. As well as the slopes of the Vienne valley, several of them have vineyards on the Puys du Chinonais, to the north of the town: on these hills, the highest of which rises to 88m, the heat is felt more strongly than elsewhere. A climate described as Mediterranean, which no doubt has something to do with the typicality of the wines.
But as always, in this world of passion and high standards, it’s best to come and see for yourself. As well as the events scheduled throughout the year (open days, winegrowers in the city in April, vineyards, wines and walks at the beginning of September, etc.), wine tourism can be experienced at the heart of the tourist cellars. From guided tastings to oenological escape games, not forgetting the contemporary scenography of the Sibylle cellar, choose from a wide range of activities and experiences. It’s easy to discover the vineyards of Chinon!
AOC Chinon Domaine d'Etilly red wineToday, the Chinon vineyards cover 2,300 hectares and produce no less than 13 million bottles. Most of the production is now concentrated on red wine, produced from a single grape variety (Cabernet Franc) and often matured in troglodytic cellars, where the temperature is ideal. The result is wines for laying down (vintages such as 1947, 1976, 1989 and 1990) that are not only popular with the French, but also with American (500,000 bottles a year are exported), Canadian, British and Belgian wine-lovers.
Harvest at Domaine Jm Raffault in Chinon
Bunch of grapes - AOC Chinon - Domaine Jm Raffault
Cave Monplaisir Jean Maurice Raffault in Chinon
Cave Monplaisir Jean Maurice Raffault in Chinon
Chinon AOC winesLet yourself be enchanted by Cabernet Franc, the unique grape variety that grows on the terroirs of Chinon. With its aromas of red fruit and spices, this red wine has an assertive personality, both intense and soft, supported by supple tannins.
While Cabernet Franc is the soul of Chinon’s red wines, Chenin Blanc is also a perfect setting for great white wines. With its fresh notes of white fruit and flowers, it echoes the luminous landscapes of the Vienne. Taste it and savour a delicate, mineral experience.
These wines reveal notes of ripe fruit, undergrowth and sometimes even truffles. Experience the perfect balance between power and finesse, guided by the Chinon winemakers who will show you the art of tasting. Along the way, you’ll also hear their passionate accounts of their cuvées, the history of their estates and many other anecdotes!
You’re sure to be surprised by Chinon white wine: the minerality and notes of apple and pear will awaken your taste buds. Chenin Blanc brings freshness and delicacy, making it an excellent companion for some of Touraine’s specialities, such as fish from the Loire or goat’s cheese from Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine.
Rosés from the Chinon appellation are imbued with summery softness and shared moments. Opposite the royal fortress, take a seat at Chinon’s “guinguette”, with a glass of rosé in your hand, your feet in the water, and the pretty lights of a sunset. Succumb to this light, fruity freshness, ideal for summer evenings; Chinon rosé is a hymn to conviviality!
AOC Chinon red wine - Domaine De NoiréEntering the cellars of Chinon means discovering a world apart: troglodytic cellars and the magic of barrel ageing! The dampness of the stone walls and the coolness of the barrels mean that the wines benefit from perfect ageing conditions for their precious nectar. The Cabernet Franc and Chenin grapes wait here until they reach their full expression.
Don’t stop at Chinon! Just a few kilometres away, Azay-le-Rideau and the surrounding area await you for equally captivating experiences. As well as two magnificent châteaux, you’ll also find winegrowers on hand to offer you a tasting of their wines. Explore these vineyards in complete freedom and let yourself be carried away by the charm of Touraine’s enchanting landscapes.
For a complete experience, combine the wines of the Chinon appellation with local flavours. Try the rillons de Touraine, pieces of preserved pork that go perfectly with a Chinon red. And push open the door of the Vazereau educational farm, where a host of goat’s cheeses will whet your appetite for gourmet pairings with white wines and light rosés.
AOC Chinon red wine - Le Vazereau goat's cheese
Plat au restaurant Les Arpents à Amboise
