Saint-Chinian

The Saint-Chinian appellation is a sub-regional appellation for Languedoc wines. Since February 4, 2005, two communal appellations have been recognized: Saint-Chinian Berlou and Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, distinguished for their excellence and typical characteristics. Saint-Chinian wine, one of the region's finest, has been an AOC since 1982 for its red and rosé wines and since 2004 for its white wines.  

Located on either side of the Orb and Vernazobre rivers, the Saint-Chinian vineyards extend over some twenty communes northwest of Béziers: Assignan, Babeau-Bouldoux, Berlou, Causses-et-Veyran, Cazedarnes, Cébazan, Cessenon-sur-Orb,   Creissan, Cruzy, Ferrières-Poussarou, Murviel-lès-Béziers, Pierrerue, Prades-sur-Vernazobre, Puisserguier, Quarante, Roquebrun, Saint-Chinian, Saint-Nazaire-de Ladarez, Vieussan, and Villespassans. An extraordinary geological and climatic diversity gives Saint-Chinian a special character that makes each wine unique. In the north, the vines are planted on predominantly schist soils and in the south on clay-limestone soils, at an altitude of between 100 and 400 meters.

Saint-Chinian wines are made from Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Lledoner Pelut grapes for reds and rosés, and from Grenache, Marsanne, Roussanne, and Vermentino (or Rolle) grapes for whites. Saint-Chinian wines are best appreciated by tasting the vintages offered by Mas Champart, Clos Bagatelle, or Domaine La Madura.