Saint-Chinian – hidden gem in Languedoc

Saint Chinian is one of the appellations in the Languedoc, located a bit inland with a landscape dotted with remote villages, harsh hilltops and dedicated vignerons. St Chinian in short:

-- 20 villages north-west of Bézier
-- received its AOC in 1982 and covers 3300 ha, 510 growers, 135,000 hl, 2/3 produced by the cooperative
-- Belgium is the biggest export market followed by Denmark (!)
-- 89% red, 10% white, 1% rosé (AOC for red since 2004)
-- the soil is very varied with both schist, limestone and clay elements, but often not very fertile
-- maximum yield is 50 hl/ha but in reality it is often lower
-- climate is sunny, dry and windy
-- grapes: primarily Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre (min 60%) but also Carignan, Lladoner Pelut and Cinsault
-- sometimes macération carbonique is used instead of regular vinification
-- the wine style varies with soil, grapes and vinification but is often quite powerful with intense fruit and aromas, often with the typical “garrigue” (wild herbs) style
-- www.saint-chinian.com

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