Chénas

The Chénas appellation d'origine contrôlée is a communal appellation recognized since 1936. The Chénas vineyard covers some 260 hectares, making it the smallest of the Beaujolais crus. The vineyards entitled to the appellation extend over the communes of Chénas, in the Rhône department, and La Chapelle-de-Guinchay, in the Saône-et-Loire department.

The grape variety used to make Chénas wine is Gamay noir with white juice, as in all Beaujolais vineyards. The vines face northwest, east and south. From the highest parts of the appellation, including the Pic Rémont, the granite soils extend forward towards the Saône plain, evolving into silico-clay soils with a stony surface. The rarity, quality and elegance of Chénas wines make them highly prized by connoisseurs. Very fine products are offered by Maison Coquard, Château Bonnet, Domaine Thillardon and Domaine Dominique Piron.

Chénas etymologically means "place planted with oak trees". Chénas is a French AOC (Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée) created and recognized since 1936 by the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité. Chénas wines are grown in a Beaujolais vineyard extending over several communes. 

Chénas is a commune in the Rhône department where the vineyard was born. Historically, this Beaujolais cru was one of Louis XIII's favorite wines. The vineyard stretches over several communes, between Chénas in the Rhône and La Chapelle-de-Guinchay in Saône-et-Loire, and includes a number of very specific localities, fertile for the vineyard's grape varieties: .

- Les Journets,

- Les Gandelins,

- En Nervat,

- Aux Bois Back,

- Aux Blémonts

- Les Gandelins

AOC Chénas terroir 

Chénas wines are grown on granite soils, which are quite sandy in nature. As a result, Chénas wines are very special because of the nature of the soils, which are not easy to maintain. As a result, Chénas wines are of superior quality, thanks in part to the attention paid to the vines from cultivation through to harvesting and bottling. Raised at an altitude of 260 m, the vineyards extend over some 250 hectares of viticultural land.

The vineyard, which stretches between the Rhône and Saône-et-Loire rivers, is at the heart of the Beaujolais region, and has grown over the centuries. Chénas wines are red. Production of red Chénas grapes is estimated at around 9,400 hectolitres in 2010. This significant figure is the result of strong demand and the growing reputation of Chénas wines. No fewer than 6,000 vines are planted per hectare. On these hectares of land, the vines enjoy favorable exposure to the east, south and northwest, depending on the grape variety.

Red wine from the Chénas Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée can be stored in the bottle for a maximum of 4 to 8 years. This period is extended for specific vintages. Chénas wines are increasingly sought-after by the media. However, some great wine-lovers have already made it one of their preferred cru wines for years. Several estates offer Chénas red, including Domaine Piron, Château Bonnet and Domaine Thillardon. 

Chénas stands out from other crus, thanks in part to its ruby-red color with hints of garnet, and its woody, floral notes on the palate. 

It's a complex wine, tender yet powerful, voluptuous and silky yet spicy. A Chénas wine is best served with a meat dish such as beef, steak or even chicken.