Wines of Saint Chinian

Vineyards, Grape Varieties and Winegrowers

Saint Chinian vineyard — Vineyards of Saint Chinian, Saint Chinian Roquebrun and Saint Chinian Berlou

Wine Region : Languedoc.
AOP / AOC: Saint-Chinian.
Winemaking: red wine, rosé wine, white wine.

Main grape varieties: (red and rosé wines) Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Lledoner pelut | (White wine) White Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne, Vermentino.
Secondary grape varieties: (red and rosé wines) red Carignan, Cinsault | (White wine) White Carignan, Clairette, Viognier.

The Saint-Chinian vineyard

Between schists and limestones

The Saint-Chinian vineyard is bordered by the Faugères vineyard to the northeast and the Minervois vineyard to the southwest. Anchored to the Montagne Noire by the "Saint-Chinian chain," dominated by the Caroux and Espinouse massifs but open to the Béziers plain, the appellation is divided between schist hills in the northeast and limestone folds in the southwest. The Mediterranean vegetation surrounding the vineyards itself reflects this division. To the north, vines grow alongside holm oaks, rockroses, and strawberry trees, while to the south, maquis and garrigue scrubland cover the eroded limestone.

At the roots of the vineyard

This remarkable geological feature has largely contributed to the long-standing presence of viticulture. Wine production has been known here since antiquity, when the proximity of the Via Domitia facilitated the export of amphorae throughout Narbonensis . Later, during the medieval period, the maintenance and cultivation of the vineyards were ensured by the monastic communities well established in the region. It is notably from the monastery of Sancti Aniani that the appellation takes its name. From the 17th ^century onwards , the construction of the Canal du Midi , which borders the southern edge of the appellation, contributed to the maintenance and flourishing growth of the wine industry.

Wines in three colors

Land of red wines par excellence, Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre dominate the appellation, complemented by the presence of Cinsault and Carignan which are also found in the blend of rosés. Arrived later in the appellation, the whites from Grenache blanc, Marsanne or Roussanne are also present. All the interest of the terroir is based on the typicity that each wine is brought to draw and express from these soils divided between reliefs of schist and limestone folds. The wines of Saint Chinian are indeed expressive of this geological contrast where the vine and its fruits capture the mineral signature of the soils as much as the aromatic influences of the associated flora.

The Saint Chinian Berlou and Saint Chinian Roquebrun crus

Winemaking: Red wine.

Main grape varieties: (Berlou and Roquebrun) Grenache, Syrah, (Berlu) Mourvèdre.
Complementary grape varieties: (Berlou and Roquebrun) Carignan, (Roquebrun) Mourvèdre.

The appellation includes two geographical designations that have acquired AOP status: Berlou and Roquebrun . Characterized by their schist soils and considered cru within Languedoc , they are reserved for the production of red wines . Each encompasses a limited number of communes where the grape harvest, vinification, and aging of the wines are carried out on-site. Respecting limited yields, the grapes are harvested by hand to ensure they arrive at the winery in perfect condition. Following vinification, the wine is aged for at least fifteen months . In Berlou , where the vines only begin to produce fruit in their ninth year, Carignan accounts for at least one-third of the blend in the wines.