Discovering the Moulin-à-Vent AOC

Have you heard of the Moulin-à-Vent AOC? It’s one of the 10 crusof the Beaujolais region!

The village of Moulin-à-Vent

After Saint-Amour and Chénas, Laetitia Allemand takes us today to Moulin-à-Vent. Are you familiar with the Moulin-à-Vent AOC? It’s one of the 10 crus of the Beaujolais region! This red wine with a protected designation of origin is produced in the area straddling the Rhône and Saône-et-Loire departments. Surrounding the vineyards of this AOC, you’ll find the Fleurie cru to the southwest and the Chénas appellation to the north. All aboard—we’re heading to Beaujolais!

Don’t look for this village on a map—it doesn’t exist. We’re in the vineyards of one of the 10 Beaujolais crus, arguably the most prestigious.

The windmill behind me has stood proudly on the small hill in Romanèche-Thorins for over 450 years. Now designated a Historic Monument, it actually ground grain right up until the mid-19th century!

The vineyards of the Moulin-à-Vent AOC, a Beaujolais wine

The long history of this windmill in the landscape has made it the symbol of this appellation, which naturally took the name “Moulin à Vent” in 1936 when it was granted AOC status.

But it’s not just this mill that’s old here… The local wines have also long enjoyed a fine reputation; as early as 1816, they were ranked among the best, on par with the great Burgundies. And that comparison still holds true today!

Serving Suggestions for Moulin-à-Vent AOC

This is the quintessential age-worthy Beaujolais wine. It is full-bodied and complex, blending aromas of ripe fruit, spices, and flowers. Let it age for 6 or 7 years before enjoying it with a turkey stuffed with chestnuts for Christmas. It’s the perfect red wine! When a bit younger, it pairs beautifully with a pork tenderloin glazed with honey or cream.

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Since 2014, Les Grappes has been dedicated to meeting passionate winemakers across France to unearth authentic, vibrant wines with rich histories. By collaborating directly with over 500 vintners, we meticulously select cuvées that we genuinely appreciate and are eager to share with you.

This blog serves as an extension of that journey. Here, we share our discoveries, expert advice, favorite selections, optimal food and wine pairings, tasting recommendations, and everything that inspires us daily in the world of wine.

The objective is straightforward: to assist you in selecting bottles that align with your preferences and to enhance your enjoyment in tasting them.