Chinon Wines (pronounced shee-non)
There are 170 winemakers in the Chinon appelation, producing roughly 15 million bottles a year in white (a very small production), red (the bulk of it) and rosé (small, but growing). If you are new to the game and want to learn how to navigate the “appelation Chinon“, we advise you start with one of the local wine bars/shops or communal cellars to get your bearings and then zoom in on the producers whose wines suit your taste.
Chinon is the Loire’s largest red wine appellation (by volume) and one of France’s most fascinating. It mostly makes red wines from Cabernet Franc, in a range of styles from light and accessible “picnic” wines, to complex and tannic wines that require years of aging to really show their stuff. Chinon also makes small amounts of delicious rosé and teeny-tiny amounts of some truly mesmerizing white wines from Chenin Blanc. But what makes it so fascinating to wine geeks the world over is that it is one of the most striking examples of the effect of terroir on wine in all of France.
WHAT DOES CHINON WINE TASTE LIKE? Black fruits, herbs, tea, anise and venison are the notes that immediately come to mind, and with highly aged bottles, expect hints of spice. The grape used is Cabernet Franc, which, as famous as it is, is rarely seen as a single variety. Chinon makes an exception to this rule by allowing Cabernet Franc to express its own wines on the distinctive terroir of the region; it is usually employed as a blending grape for a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon in Burgundy and Bordeaux. That being said, some Chinon producers in the valley do add Cabernet Sauvignon to the blend, but the standout grape here is certainly Cabernet Franc. In terms of alcohol content, Chinon red wines contain about 12.5% ABV.
HOW DO YOU SERVE CHINON WINE? Younger Chinon should be served a tad cooler than more aged bottles – aim for around 57°F (14°C) – cool but not cold, as this is still a fairly complex red wine. The more tannic varieties of Chinon Blanc are served better a little closer to room temperature, somewhere around 62°F (16-17°C), to help bring out their distinct structure.
TYPES OF CHINON WINE
1. CHINON The most common Chinon is the red variety, which ranges from young and fresh bottles to highly tannic, structurally complex and well-aged wines. The best aged Chinons, such as Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie 2015 can cost up to $70 or more a bottle. Alternatively, you can pick up a Chateau de Coulaine Chinon Bonnaventure 2018 for a more reasonable $20 – $25.
2. CHINON BLANC If you come across a white variety of Chinon, known as Chinon blanc, you have found a rare treat that makes up only 2% of all Chinon production. The limestone soils once again come into play here, with the province of Ligre on the Western slopes of the Vienne, south of Chinon, being the main area of production. Chinon blanc is typically medium-bodied with complex aromas of green fruit and baked sweets. The elusive nature of Chinon blanc is reflected in its price range – a bottle of Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc La Croix Boissee 2019 will set you back around $50. A price worth paying, in our opinion.
3. CHINON ROSÉ Cabernet franc with macerated skins? That’s Chinon rosé, a crisp and refreshing take on classic Chinon grown on the banks of the Loire and Vienne rivers. Alluvial sands impart a decidedly riverstone touch to this unusual wine, and you can pick up a bottle of Charles Joguet Chinon Rose 2019 for a modest $20 – $25.
Chinon is the Loire’s largest red wine appellation (by volume) and one of France’s most fascinating. It mostly makes red wines from Cabernet Franc, in a range of styles from light and accessible “picnic” wines, to complex and tannic wines that require years of aging to really show their stuff. Chinon also makes small amounts of delicious rosé and teeny-tiny amounts of some truly mesmerizing white wines from Chenin Blanc. But what makes it so fascinating to wine geeks the world over is that it is one of the most striking examples of the effect of terroir on wine in all of France.
WHAT DOES CHINON WINE TASTE LIKE? Black fruits, herbs, tea, anise and venison are the notes that immediately come to mind, and with highly aged bottles, expect hints of spice. The grape used is Cabernet Franc, which, as famous as it is, is rarely seen as a single variety. Chinon makes an exception to this rule by allowing Cabernet Franc to express its own wines on the distinctive terroir of the region; it is usually employed as a blending grape for a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon in Burgundy and Bordeaux. That being said, some Chinon producers in the valley do add Cabernet Sauvignon to the blend, but the standout grape here is certainly Cabernet Franc. In terms of alcohol content, Chinon red wines contain about 12.5% ABV.
HOW DO YOU SERVE CHINON WINE? Younger Chinon should be served a tad cooler than more aged bottles – aim for around 57°F (14°C) – cool but not cold, as this is still a fairly complex red wine. The more tannic varieties of Chinon Blanc are served better a little closer to room temperature, somewhere around 62°F (16-17°C), to help bring out their distinct structure.
TYPES OF CHINON WINE
1. CHINON The most common Chinon is the red variety, which ranges from young and fresh bottles to highly tannic, structurally complex and well-aged wines. The best aged Chinons, such as Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie 2015 can cost up to $70 or more a bottle. Alternatively, you can pick up a Chateau de Coulaine Chinon Bonnaventure 2018 for a more reasonable $20 – $25.
2. CHINON BLANC If you come across a white variety of Chinon, known as Chinon blanc, you have found a rare treat that makes up only 2% of all Chinon production. The limestone soils once again come into play here, with the province of Ligre on the Western slopes of the Vienne, south of Chinon, being the main area of production. Chinon blanc is typically medium-bodied with complex aromas of green fruit and baked sweets. The elusive nature of Chinon blanc is reflected in its price range – a bottle of Bernard Baudry Chinon Blanc La Croix Boissee 2019 will set you back around $50. A price worth paying, in our opinion.
3. CHINON ROSÉ Cabernet franc with macerated skins? That’s Chinon rosé, a crisp and refreshing take on classic Chinon grown on the banks of the Loire and Vienne rivers. Alluvial sands impart a decidedly riverstone touch to this unusual wine, and you can pick up a bottle of Charles Joguet Chinon Rose 2019 for a modest $20 – $25.