Contents
Chiroubles is a dry red wine recognized by an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée since 1936. It also benefits from the European label Appellation d’Origine Protégée. This appellation belongs to the Beaujolais wine region, located 50 kilometers north of Lyon and south of Saône-et-Loire.
The charming commune of the same name, where Chiroubles grapes are grown, is located in the extreme north of the Rhône department, in the arrondissement of Villefranche-Sur-Saône and the canton of Belleville. The wine is described as dry because its natural sugar content is less than 2 grams per liter.
A gourmet walk with Chiroublons
The people of Chiroubles, the Chiroublons, are particularly famous for their organization of the “Promenade Gourmande”, a ritual event attended by hundreds of visitors, which takes place every year on the second Saturday in July and consists of discovering the landscapes and wines of the Cru through a step-by-step menu.
The most famous of the Chiroublons is undeniably Victor Pulliat. Indeed, this man is the creator of the magazine “Le Vignoble”. He is famous for having discovered the remedy to combat the “Phylloxera” epidemic that destroyed more than three-quarters of French vineyards in the 1890s. Even today, his name is echoed in some of the songs that pay tribute to him in the region.
Of the 12 Beaujolais appellations on offer, only 10, including Chiroubles, have the “cru” label. This gives it a status that confirms the very distinct quality of the wines it offers.
The nine other Beaujolais crus are: Saint-Amour, Chénas, Juliénas, Moulin-à-vent, Morgon, Fleurie, Régnié, Côte-de-brouilly and Brouilly.
The Chiroubles vineyards benefit from exceptional exposure at altitude.
The commune of Chiroubles, where the wine of the same name is produced, lies in the northern part of the Beaujolais vineyards, west of the mountains that separate the Loire and Saône valleys, in the Rhône department. The vineyards, which extend over the Monts du Beaujolais, lies at an altitude of between 250 and 450 meters, at the foot of the Saint-Rigaud massif, making Chiroubles the highest Beaujolais cru.
There are between 350 and 360 hectares of vines on the Chiroubles terroir. The climate is semi-continental with Mediterranean influences. Similarly, the soils are predominantly granitic and sandy. Clay and shale are also found here.
Summers are hot and sunny, while winters are cold and harsh. Despite the vineyard’s altitude, its exceptional southeast exposure ensures milder temperatures and better shelter from the wind than other vineyards at similar altitudes.
The combination of the vineyard’s soils and particular exposure to a continental climate means that 18,000 hectolitres of Chiroubles cru are produced every year.
In addition, harvesting will be done by hand and rather late, as the cold climate allows the grapes to develop only very slowly.
Gamay Noir with white juice creates a gourmet treat
Several traditional grape varieties are included in the Chiroubles specifications. The most widely used grape variety is Gamay Noir with white juice, which accounts for 85% of the appellation’s parcels. This variety thrives on the granitic sand of the Chiroubles soils, producing highly aromatic wines with ageing potential of several years. It tends to run out over time, as it is weak but fertile, so production must be controlled.
The resulting wine has a beautiful ruby-red color with purplish hues. On the nose, Chiroubles brings out aromas of red fruits such as raspberry and wild strawberry, with clear notes of violet.
As for the palate, round and delicious, it reveals a very fruity finish that can be described as a real delicacy.
Its ageing potential varies from 2 to 5 years on average. This wine is best drunk young, reaching its peak usually 3 years after bottling. However, some cuvées can wait more than 5 years.
Chiroubles is a wine with a feminine character… a perfect accompaniment to cold meats…
Wines from this appellation are delicious and gourmet. They have a very feminine character, expressed by a light tannic structure and a pronounced violet fragrance. They should be served at a temperature of between 14 and 16 degrees.
They can be enjoyed with poultry, Lyon charcuterie such as pig’s trotters, or simply around a barbecue.
Which AOC Chiroubles vintages are worth a visit?
Chiroubles is distinguished by several remarkable vintages that ensure the quality of the wines from this appellation. In fact, since the beginning of the 21st century, it has been able to boast a vintage of the century in 2005, as well as vintages of the millennium in 2009 and 2011.
2 AOC Chiroubles estates using traditional methods
Domaine Louis Tête
Domaine Louis-Tête is located a few kilometers from Beaujeu. Louis Tête wines are produced using traditional methods by Agamy’s cellar masters, with respect for terroirs and traditions. For three generations, they have been a benchmark in Beaujolais wine circles.
Ferraud & Fils
This Chiroubles wine estate has belonged to the Ferraud family for 5 generations. Since 1882, the traditional, family-run P. Ferraud & Fils has been passing on its know-how with passion. The main grape variety is Gamay Noir with white juice, distributed both in France and elsewhere in the world, including Europe, the West Indies and Japan. The wines of Maison P. Ferraud & Fils are recognized the world over, winning over many connoisseurs with their depth and maturity.
