MoulinàVent

Moulin-à-Vent is one of the ten Crus of Beaujolais and an Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) for red wines in northern Beaujolais, France. The vineyards sit on a south- to southeast-facing hillside above the town of Romanèche-Thorins in the Saône valley, within the Rhône department. The name derives from a prominent windmill that marks the site and serves as a historic landmark of the area.

Wine production in Moulin-à-Vent is centered on the Gamay grape. The terroir—characterized by steep slopes and well-drained soils, often with clay and calcium-rich layers—contributes to wines with greater structure and aging potential than many other Beaujolais wines. Winemaking styles vary; some producers favor traditional methods to extract tannin and depth, while others employ carbonic maceration to emphasize fruit in lighter styles. The result is a range of wines, but Moulin-à-Vent is generally regarded for its capacity to develop complexity and evolve over time in bottle.

Typical wines from this cru are full-bodied with deep color and tasting notes that include dark berries such as blackberry and black cherry, plus plum, earth, spice, and sometimes floral or mineral hints. Fine-grained tannins and a firm structure support longer aging, with many examples developing savory and tertiary complexity over a decade or more. Moulin-à-Vent pairs well with robust dishes, including grilled meats, game, and aged cheeses.