Saint-Chinian AOC

The appellation is located in the west of the French wine region Languedoc between Minervois and Faugères. The red wine was classified as AOC in 1982, the white wine in 2004. The wines belong to the second quality category "Grands Vins du Languedoc". The origin of the viticulture lies in a Benedictine monastery founded in 794 on the left bank of the Vernazobres. The wine was already famous in the 14th century and in the 19th century it was given to patients in the hospitals of Paris as a sick wine to fortify them. The vineyards cover 3,100 hectares. They extend over 20 communes in the department of Hérault.

The area is divided into two different sections. In the southern part, near the commune of Saint-Chinian, with clay and limestone soils, more full-bodied, milder wines grow. In the northern, higher part around the two municipalities of Berlou and Roquebrun, slate soil predominates, which produces mineral wines. In 2004, two sub-appellations were created here with the names Saint-Chinian Berlou (municipalities of Berlou, Cessenon sur Orb, Roquebrun, Predes sur Vernaobres, Vieussan with 250 hectares) and Saint-Chinian Roquebrun (municipalities of Cessenon sur Orb, Roquebrun, St. Nazaire de Ladarez, Vieussan with 400 hectares). The red wines from these two areas are classified in the highest quality category "Crus du Languedoc".

Saint-Chinian: Red wine and rosé are blended from at least 2 of the 3 main grape varieties Grenache Noir(Garnacha Tinta), Mourvèdre(Monastrell) and Syrah, as well as Carignan Noir(Mazuelo), Cinsaut and Lladoner Pelut(Garnacha Peluda). The rosé should be pressed mainly by the Saignée method. The white wine is produced from the main grape varieties Grenache Blanc(Garnacha Blanca), Marsanne, Roussanne and Rolle(Vermentino), as well as Bourboulenc, Carignan Blanc, Clairette, Macabeo and Viognier.

The two sub-appellations only apply to red wines. Saint-Chinian Berlou is made from Carignan Noir (30 to max. 40%), as well as Syrah, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre (max. 70%). Saint-Chinian Roquebrun is produced from the varieties Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah (70%), as well as Carignan Noir (max. 30%).

There are over 100 producers and eight cooperatives. These include Domaine Borie la Vitarèle, Domaine Canet-Valette, Château Cazal-Viel, Domaine de Fonsalade, Château Guiraud, Domaine des Jougla, Marquise des Mûres, Mas Champart, Château Maurel Fonsalade, Château Milhau-Lacugue, Château Moulinier, Domaine Navarra, CV du Rieu-Berlou, CV de Roquebrun, Château Val d'Orbieu and Château Viranel.

By Guillaume Frozman CALAS - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link