Chénas is a small appellation of red wines produced in an area of northern Beaujolais that is one of the ten crus of Beaujolais. It takes its name from the oak forests that once dotted the surrounding hillsides, an area that is now home to a sea of Gamay vines. Chénas wines are among the heaviest in the Beaujolais, and are known for their Floral">floral and earthyCharacter and their ability to age. Chénas is, along with Moulin-a-Vent, one of the most renowned crus of the Beaujolais, and the best examples can be kept for up to ten years.
The Chénas Vineyard is located on the slopes of Mont Remont, between the borders of Julienas and Moulin-a-Vent. The 290 hectares (700 ac) of Chénas vineyards are divided between the Rhône and Saône-et-Loire departments. The town of Chénas itself is located in the Moulin-a-Vent wine area, which is confusing because the boundaries of the appellation have changed over time. As a result, only certain vineyards located in the commune of Chénas can be used for the production of Chénas wine.
Gamay is a Burgundian grape variety that has existed since the 14th century. For fear of competition with the pinot noir of Burgundy, gamay was finally uprooted and planted in the Beaujolais region, from Mâcon to Lyon. These siliceous and granitic soils suit it perfectly, and it gives its best here. But it is also planted all over France, such as in Lorraine, in the Loire Valley, in Bugey, in Savoie and in Auvergne. Gamay is early and very productive and needs to be limited so that quality prevails over quantity. Short winter pruning of the shoots and high density of vines per hectare are the methods that allow it to produce very fruity, fresh and greedy red wines. Gamay is also very popular in red wine futures, and produces wines from the Beaujolais region with very interesting character and ageing potential. The AOCs Crémant-de-Bourgogne, Mâcon, Anjou, Touraine, Rosé de vallée de la Loire, Côtes-d'Auvergne, Saint-Pourçain, Bugey, Gaillac, Côtes du Luberon... and many vins de pays are proud of it. Today, about 36,000 hectares of Gamay are cultivated in France, including 22,000 hectares in Beaujolais.
red wines from the region of Chénas go well with generally quite well with dishes of pasta, veal or pork such as recipes of pasta with asparagus and chicken, dafina or potjevleesch.
On the nose in the region of Chénas often reveals types of flavors of red fruit, earth or black fruit. In the mouth in the region of Chénas is a with a nice freshness.
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