Saint Chinian Wine Region

Taste invented by Nature

The Saint Chinian appellation is located near the town of Saint-Chinian, between Béziers and Saint-Pons-de-Thomières. It covers an area of ​​33 square kilometers, for a production of about 13,500,000 liters per year on average, mainly red and rosé wines in the Languedoc wine region, south of France.

The Saint Chinian AOC title was born in 1982, specifically for red and rose wines, but in 2005, white wine was introduced to the appellation.

Diverse Taste Across Region

The terroir is divided into two sectors by Orb and Vernazobre: ​​in the north, schists and sandstones dominate; in the south are clay-limestone soils are most present. The grape variety is dominated by Syrah, Grenache Noir, and Mourvèdre. They are most often associated with carignan for red wines and with cinsault for rosé wines. North of the vineyard, the wines produced on shale are fruity, supple, and generous, with a fine and well-defined nose juggling between smoky notes of roasted coffee or even cocoa. Those produced in the south on clay-limestone soils are more full-bodied, long, and typical.

Medicinal Wines

In 2004, an AOC was recognized for the white wines previously excluded from the AOC Saint Chinian. Legend has it that in the nineteenth century, the wine of Saint-Chinian, known as invigorating, was given to drink Parisian hospitals’ patients.

The Saint-Chinian AOC title was born in 1982, specifically for red and rose wines, but in 2005, white wine was introduced to the appellation.

Explore Wineries in Saint Chinian

A part of the important features of St-Chinian appellation for red wines are as follows:

• Soil: In the north, schists and sand-stones dominate. In the south are clay-limestone.
• Taste: Light.
• Wine color: Red and a dark ruby cherry color.
• Aromas: Coffee, licorice, and spices.
• Aging potential: 2 – 5 years.
• Serving temperature: 14 to 16° C

A part of the important features of St-Chinian appellation for rose wines are as follows:

• Soil: In the north, schists and sand-stones dominate. In the south are clay-limestone.
• Taste: Soft.
• Wine color: Rose.
• Aromas: Red fruits.
• Aging potential: 1 – 6 years.
• Serving temperature: 9 to 11° C

A part of the important features of St-Chinian appellation for white wines are as follows:

• Soil: In the north, schists and sand-stones dominate. In the south are clay-limestone.
• Taste: Well balanced.
• Wine color: White wines with golden color.
• Aromas: Citrus fruits and exotic fruits.
• Aging potential: 1 – 6 years.

Discover Wine Tastings and Tours in Saint Chinian