AOC Côteaux du Lyonnais

The AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais is one of the most singular and confidential appellations in the French wine world. Located to the west of the Lyon metropolis, between the Monts du Lyonnais and the Rhône Valley, this appellation embodies local viticulture, deeply rooted in its territory, and long focused on local supply. Today, the Coteaux du Lyonnais PDO is enjoying a revival thanks to the demanding work of committed winemakers, notably in an organic dynamic that respects the terroirs.

Viticulture in the Coteaux du Lyonnais dates back to antiquity. The Romans had already identified the potential of these well-exposed granite slopes. During the Middle Ages and up to the XIXᵉ century, vines played a central role in the local economy, supplying the wine consumed by the booming city of Lyon. While the vineyard has seen a sharp decline with industrialization and urbanization, it has managed to preserve a strong identity, carried forward today by a new generation of winegrowers.

The vineyards of the AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais extend over rolling hillsides, at altitudes between 250 and 450 meters. The soils are predominantly composed of granite, gneiss and schist, sometimes overlain by thin sandy-clay layers. This geology favors excellent drainage, giving the wines a mineral expression and great freshness. The varied exposures allow gradual ripening of the grapes, essential in this climatic transition zone.

The climate of the Coteaux du Lyonnais lies at the crossroads of continental and southern influences. Winters can be cold, summers hot but rarely excessive, and thermal amplitudes between day and night play a key role in preserving acidity and natural balances. These conditions, combined with regular winds, provide a favorable environment for organic viticulture, by limiting the pressure of cryptogamic diseases.

The AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais bio is gradually becoming a matter of course. Many estates have embarked on a conversion to organic farming, sometimes complemented by biodynamic or natural practices. Soil cultivation, often manual or mechanical due to the slope, controlled weeding and the absence of herbicides reflect an approach that respects living organisms. This approach aims to reveal the purity of the grape varieties and the identity of the granite terroirs.

Red wines represent the heart of AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais production, made mainly from Gamay. This grape variety, perfectly adapted to granitic soils, finds a singular expression here, distinct from that of neighboring Beaujolais. The reds are characterized by their freshness, bright fruit and drinkability, while retaining a structuring framework that gives them depth. Aromas of fresh red fruit, cherry, raspberry and sometimes floral notes dominate, supported by a fine minerality.

Gamays from AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais are distinguished by a straighter, often spicier structure than in other zones. Vinification, often using semi-carbonic or traditional maceration, aims to preserve fruit expression while adding complexity. In organic versions, extractions are generally gentle, and the use of sulfur is limited to preserve aromatic purity.

The appellation also produces white wines, more confidential but of great interest. Made mainly from Chardonnay, sometimes complemented by Aligoté, the whites of AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais offer fresh, taut profiles. The granitic soils bring a marked minerality, while the temperate climate preserves acidity. Aromas of white-fleshed fruit, citrus and flowers unfold with elegance, giving rise to digestible, precise wines.

Rosés, made mainly from Gamay grapes, complete the range of AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais. They stand out for their freshness, fruity expression and balance, a far cry from standardized rosés. Their structure makes them an easy match for simple, convivial cuisine, true to the spirit of the appellation.

In the cellar, winemakers committed to the AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais bio favor low-intervention vinifications. Fermentations with indigenous yeasts, ageing in vats or old tuns and the absence of oenological make-up faithfully reflect the character of the vintage and terroir. This approach gives rise to wines that are sincere, distinctive and accessible.

The wines of the AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais fit naturally into a gastronomic logic. The reds are the perfect accompaniment to artisanal charcuterie, white meats, traditional Lyonnais dishes and bistro cuisine. Whites are at home alongside fish, fresh cheeses and vegetable dishes, while rosés can be adapted to a wide range of dishes.

Today, the AOP Coteaux du Lyonnais is asserting itself as an appellation of character, driven by winemakers committed to organic and artisanal viticulture. Through the freshness of its wines, the sincerity of its expressions and its close link with the Lyonnais terroir, it embodies a contemporary vision of wine that is local, authentic and deeply respectful of its environment. Coteaux du Lyonnais thus offers a singular and endearing interpretation of Gamay and Chardonnay, in an appellation that is still confidential but resolutely forward-looking.