Moulin-a-Vent is arguably the most remarkable of the ten Beaujolais crus, located in the far North of the Beaujolais region. Moulin-a-Vent wines, made from the Gamay Grape, are known to be among the most concentrated and Tannic of the Beaujolais, a far cry from the light and simple wines of Beaujolais Nouveau. Floral">floral and Fruity in their youth, these wines often develop Spicy and earthy characteristics as they age. The Moulin-a-Vent Vineyards stretch across the Rhône and Saône et Loire departments, on the west bank of the Saône.
The appellation borders Fleurie to the South, and the Chenas vineyard Lies directly to the north. In fact, the official boundaries of Moulin-a-Vent cover the land of the administrative commune of Chenas, and the vineyards surrounding the town of Chenas itself fall under the Moulin-a-Vent appellation. The most striking feature of the terroir is the pink granite soil with veins of manganese running through it. This mineral - not found in any other Beaujolais crus - is toxic to the vines and retards the growth of the leafy vegetation and grape bunches.
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 Moulin-à-Vent go well with generally quite well with dishes of pasta, veal or pork such as recipes of pasta with 4 cheese sauce, cocotte chicken roulades or potjevleesch.
On the nose in the region of Moulin-à-Vent often reveals types of flavors of non oak, earth or oak and sometimes also flavors of red fruit, cherry or raspberry. In the mouth in the region of Moulin-à-Vent is a with a nice freshness.
