AOC Juliénas

History of the AOC Juliénas

The Juliénas appellation is one of the oldest and northernmost in Beaujolais. The vine cultivation dates back to Roman times, and according to legend, Juliénas is said to derive its name from Julius Caesar! As one of the 8 crus of Beaujolais, AOC Juliénas is renowned for its high-quality red wines with a distinctive character for the region.

Climate and Terroir of the AOC Juliénas

• Climate: The climate of Juliénas is typically continental, with cold winters and hot summers, allowing for optimal ripening of Gamay, the flagship grape of Beaujolais.
• Soils: The appellation benefits from varied soils, ranging from granitic soils to blue clay soils, imparting characteristic complexity and minerality to the wines.

Gamay: Indispensable Grape Variety of AOC Juliénas

Gamay is the emblematic grape variety of Beaujolais and its crus, including AOC Juliénas. Gamay is renowned for its ability to produce fruity, soft, and aromatic wines. However, in Juliénas, it exhibits more structure than in other Beaujolais crus, beautifully expressing the effect of this unique terroir.

Style of AOC Juliénas Wine

• Appearance: Intense red color ranging between ruby and garnet.
• Nose: A generous bouquet intertwining notes of red and black fruits (strawberry, cherry, blackcurrant), floral nuances (peony, violet), and spices.
• Palate: On the palate, AOC Juliénas red wine is generous and structured, offering a beautiful balance between fruit and tannins. Its persistent finish often reveals typical mineral notes of the terroir.
• Serving Temperature: 14°-16°C.
• Aging Potential: 3 to 8 years.

Best Food Pairings with AOC Juliénas Wine

Here are our recommendations for achieving the best food pairings with a bottle of red wine from a domaine in AOC Juliénas:

• Beef stew
• Lentil sausage stew
• Veal paupiettes
• Coq au vin (chicken in wine)
• Cheese (Neufchâtel)