CHINON
Chinon is a historic wine appellation located in the Loire Valley, France, along the banks of the Vienne River near the town of Tours. The region is one of the Loire Valley’s most important red wine areas and is widely recognised for producing elegant wines from Cabernet Franc, the signature grape of Chinon.
The vineyards of Chinon stretch across rolling hills and river terraces, with soils ranging from limestone (tuffeau), clay and gravel. These diverse terroirs allow winemakers to craft a range of styles, from lighter, fruit-driven wines grown on sandy soils to more structured and age-worthy wines from limestone slopes.
Chinon wines made from Cabernet Franc are known for their fresh red fruit flavours, vibrant acidity and aromatic complexity, often showing notes of raspberry, cherry, violet, graphite and subtle herbal spice. The wines are typically medium-bodied with fine tannins and excellent balance.
While the region is primarily known for red wines, Chinon also produces a small amount of white wine from Chenin Blanc, which can offer freshness, minerality and delicate floral aromas.
