AOC Juliénas

Tradition holds that the Beaujolais vineyard was born in Juliénas, on slopes said to have grown vines for two thousand years. This reputed cradle lies in the north of the region, some 37 miles (60 km) from Lyon. Growers here use traditional fermentation and semi-carbonic maceration side by side.

Pink Granite Below, Greenish Schist Above

Three kinds of bedrock share the Juliénas area. At the base, pink granite, the common foundation of Beaujolais, is well represented in the zone; as it weathers, it breaks down into a sandy grit of varying depth. East of the village, that granite sand mixes with colluvium, slope deposits of clay and silica.

Higher up the hillsides, schists of volcanic and sedimentary origin come to the surface, tinted green by minerals rich in iron and magnesium. They form steep slopes with clayier but shallow soils. Vines grow between 740 and 1,480 feet (225 to 450 m), on slopes facing east, south and southwest, sheltered from north and east winds.

These acidic soils give Gamay its structure and its purplish-red color, which darkens with age. On the heights, the wine is tauter and more lively; elsewhere, the fruit comes forward. Young Juliénas often shows floral and fruity notes; as it ages, spicy notes join them in the glass.

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 10 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 oceanic, under continental and southern influences, 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 stone 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)

Juliénas Beyond the Glass

What was the Maison de la Dîme in Juliénas?

The Maison de la Dîme in Juliénas is the building where the tithe, the tax owed to the clergy before the French Revolution, was collected. It was paid in kind, out of the harvest. The house, now privately owned, can still be seen on a walk through the village.

Who was Victor Peyret?

Victor Peyret was a wine merchant who did much to build the reputation of Juliénas, notably among journalists at the satirical newspaper Le Canard enchaîné. In 1954, he had the village’s former church turned into a tasting room. Each year, a prize in his name honors a writer, journalist or artist who has celebrated wine.

Is Juliénas also made in Saône-et-Loire?

Juliénas is partly made in Saône-et-Loire, in the commune of Pruzilly. Its other three communes, Juliénas, Jullié and Emeringes, lie in the Rhône department. The whole area sits about 9 miles (15 km) southwest of Mâcon and some 19 miles (30 km) north of Villefranche-sur-Saône.

Where can you buy Juliénas direct from the winemaker?

You can buy Juliénas, sold by the producer, on Avenue des Vins. Each wine’s page names the producer who made it.

See also: AOC Saint-Amour - AOC Fleurie - AOC Morgon