Julienas is an appellation covering wines produced from vineyards in the north of the Beaujolais region of eastern France. The village of Julienas is named for the Roman leader Julius Caesar, and vineyards have been established here for more than 2000 years. The red, Gamay-based wines of Julienas tend to be heavier than those of the neighboring appellation of Saint-Amour, with rustic characters of spice, flowers and red fruit.
© Daniel Gillet/InterBeaujolais
The vineyard zone of Julienas covers the south- and southeast-facing slopes of the hills immediately west of the Saone River valley. The small hill of Chenas lies directly to the south of Julienas, while Saint-Amour and the southernmost vineyards of the Maconnais can be found to the north. As in most Beaujolais appellation laws, a small amount of white wine is permitted in the Julienas blend.
The terroir of Julienas is often considered to be the most variable in the Beaujolais region. The soils are transitional, ranging from granite further up the hills in the west to more sedimentary and alluvial in the east nearer the river. These soils often have a high proportion of water-storing clay in them, although the natural slope of the vineyards provides enough drainage that the vines do not become waterlogged. Irrigation is neither necessary nor permitted in the region's vineyards. (© Proprietary Content, Wine-Searcher.)
The topography of the area surrounding Julienas has provided a suitable mesoclimate for the production of wine. The flat terrain of the Saone River valley enjoys unobstructed sunlight throughout the growing season, and warm, dry winds from the eastern slopes of the nearby hills help to keep the canopies of the vines dry. This warmth is moderated by some influences from the Mediterranean Sea in the south, which helps to cool the vineyards during ripening, leading to the development of acidity alongside flavor.
Julienas is home to around 1500 acres (600ha) of vines, and is one of the most recognizable of the Beaujolais crus. While denser than some of their southern counterparts, Julienas wines tend to have a shorter longevity, and are best drunk no more than two to three years from vintage.
