Fleurie WIne Region Guide

The Fleurie wine sub-region is one of the oldest wine regions in France and has been producing wines for more than a millennium. The Fleurie wine appellation has an area of about 1,600 hectares and produces more than 2 million bottles per year. Producing red wines almost exclusively from Gamay grapes with fruity, floral aromas and silky texture, Fleurie wine is known as “The Queen of Beaujolais” due to its distinctive uniqueness among Beaujolais wines. Sometimes it is also referred to as “the most feminine wine.” France has many appellations that are often overlooked and not well-known. This article will explore the Fleurie appellation and wine that comes precisely from this region.

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Where is Fleurie located?

Situated in the Rhone Valley region, eastern France, Fleurie is a commune of the Rhone department near the city of Lyon. Fleurie appellation is among ten Beaujolais crus; the neighbouring appellations are Moulin-à-Vent and Chénas from the north, Morgon from the south and Chirboule from the west. This area is one of the best to grow grapes in France because of its sunny slopes, which face the Saône River valley below and enable the vineyards to benefit from the sunshine and warm mornings.

History of Fleurie wine appellation

According to historical facts, which date back to the Middle Ages, Fleurie was founded by a group of monks from the nearby monastery who wanted to cultivate grapes for their use and visitors. The monks also needed to defend their territory from invaders, which led them to plant vines on the steep slopes that overlooked the valley.​​ The vineyards had massively expanded over time, and Fleurie wine was largely consumed in France and England by the 19th century. Fleurie region earned the status of Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) in the 1930s, like seven other areas in Beaujolais. Nowadays, around 180 growers make wine in the Fleurie appellation. Some of them are part of the oldest wine co-operative in the region, La Cave des Producteurs des Grands Vins de Fleurie, established in 1927.

Type of Fleurie Terroir

Fleurie soil is primarily composed of pink granite, but in the other parts of the area, other soil components like coarse and dry sand stipulate the variations in the texture and taste of the wines. The different types of soils allow for identifying areas where grapes have the best chance of developing strong, robust flavours. Vineyards on the lower slopes tend to have a higher percentage of water-retaining clay, giving them a more intensive, concentrated taste. In comparison, the vineyards on the higher slopes ripen faster because of the hit and therefore have a sweeter taste and more delicate aromas.

The Fleurie climate is characterized by a mixture of maritime and continental influences. It is classified as a warm-climate region. ​​There tend to be warm days and cool nights, making it perfect for growing grapes, leading to well-balanced ripening, compensated acidity, and flavours. To summarize, terroir is a great indicator of which vineyard locations are best for producing wines with dense, structured taste, and Fleurie terroir is a clear example of that.

Fleurie wine characteristics

Fleurie wine is red, produced exclusively from Gamay grapes. Nevertheless, white grape varieties like Chardonnay, aligoté, and Melon are allowed up to 15% in production. Fleurie grapes are juicy and deeply coloured. Fleurie wine itself, which literally means “floral”, is light to medium body with various aromas ranging from red fruits and blueberries to flowers like rose and violet. The wines are elegant, delicate, luminous, and very fruity in crimson red colour and fleshy structure. Ageing potential of wines is 2 to 5 years, but it can last up to 10 years ​​when the vintage is good; they are the best served at 13-15 °C. Therefore, Fleurie wine is enjoyable to drink on every occasion; its moderate acidity, silky texture, and richness in flavour make it one of the most refined wines.

Food to pair with Fleurie wine

Poulet au Vinaigre

Poulet au Vinaigre, or chicken in vinegar, is a traditional French dish made from chicken, butter, garlic, herbs, and tomatoes with vinegar. It goes great with Fleurie red wine, like all other dishes with meat; this mouthwatering combination can make a great family dinner or be good even for a festive occasion.

Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is a very famous French based on eggs and flour, there could be wide varieties of quiche, but generally, it is made with bacon, cream cheese, and herbs. This savoury pie makes a perfect, nutritious meal and is an excellent accompaniment for Fleurie wine tasting.

Oeufs en meurette

Oeufs en meurette, or eggs in red wine, is a traditional dish, and it is also one of the most popular dishes from the area of Burgundy. This dish consists of eggs that are poached in a red wine sauce. The eggs are served with either a meurette or bourguignon sauce. Either way, you will get that deep richness and complex flavour from the ingredients in red wine, bacon, onions, and shallots. This dish is the best accompanied by a garlic bread toast and, of course, a glass of Fleurie red wine.

Places to visit in the Fleurie region

Chapelle de la Madone

Madonna Chapel is a beautiful monument with a stone façade and an amazing view over the town. It is the highest point in the area, at 425 meters in altitude, and this mesmerizing chapel is the most photographed spot by tourists. The main entrance is through a small portico with two columns and a peaked pediment. The interior has geometric decoration, particularly on the nave and crossing walls. This ancient chapel was restored about a decade ago and is a marvellous site surrounded by vineyards.

Parc du château de Laye

This magnificent garden was remodelled in 1853 by the French landscape architect Paul de Choulot. He transformed the classical garden into a vast “landscape & agricultural” park of 22 hectares, where the principles described in his “Théorie de l'Art des Jardins” or “theory of the art of garden” were implemented.

Roche de Solutré

The Rock of Solutré, located a few kilometres from the Fleurie wine region, is a rock about 495 meters in altitude and stands at the heart of a classed area in France's “grand sites”. It has a spectacular view of the Mâconnais vineyards from the top and is an absolute must-see if you are in the area.