The quality of the region’s wine, however, is nothing new. Moulin-à-Vent was one of the first French appellations to receive official AOC status in 1924. Unlike its neighboring crus, which were mostly named for villages, Moulin-à-Vent took its name from the windmill that still stands as an emblem of the region. Its wines were historically sold not in nearby Lyon, like most Beaujolais, but in Paris—and often at prices on par with Premier Cru Burgundy.
Moulin-à-Vent’s Premier Cru application, submitted to France’s INAO, proposes an upgrade for 14 lieux-dits*, including Les Vérillats, La Rochelle, Rochegrès, and Les Thorins. These sites have long been respected for their quality and consistency. If approved, Moulin-à-Vent would become the first Beaujolais appellation to earn Premier Cru status. The proposal covers around 370 of the appellation’s 1,550 acres and has already sparked new interest. Nearby producers in Burgundy had eyes on Moulin-à-Vent long before the recent INAO application, however, including Louis Jadot which bought Château des Jacques in 1996.
Excerpt Taken From: Forbes
Author: Lauren Mowery
