| History Come to Chinon and discover the land or Rabelais, doctor, author and lover of "Breton", the local vintage. But the vine did not wait for the author Pantagruel to become established here. A vase from the gallo-roman period in the shape of the bunch of grapes proves this point. Chinon is also marked by the Renaissance period, which gives the town its charm. The town welcomed numerous kings and princes from Plantagenet to Richelieu. In 1429, Charles VII received Joan of Arc there. She had come to persuade him to recapture the French Kingdom. Soil Situated to the southwest of Tours, the Chinon vineyards are spread over 1850 hectares and 19 communes. They open out on either side from the Vienne almost to the Loire. Sheltered by northern winds the appellation enjoys a micro-climate particular favourable to the growth of the wine. On average 80,000 hectolitres are produced annually. Wines The wine of Chinon mainly from the Cabernet Franc grape, locally called "Breton". It is characterised by its lovely ruby colour, its pronounced violet bouquet and the variety of its soils, which change its personality. Red Chinon is light, fruity and full of aroma if it is produced on gravely terraces. The hills and plateaux of clay mixed with silica give full-bodied, well-constructed wines of great suppleness. Festivals and Associations The brotherhood of "Bons Entonneurs Rabelaisiens" holds five solemn chapters in its famous "Caves Painctes" in Chinon, which inspired Rabelais. Exceptional chapters take place throughout the year. Wine fairs take place in Chinon during the second weekend in March, on the 1st May in Panzoult and in Cravant on Ascension Thursday. |
