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Respecting life
It has been a source of inspiration for a long time. Like my grandfather, I have always wanted to know and understand so that I can make better progress. At the beginning of the 1990s, I began to take training courses in agronomy, in particular the study of soils and biodynamics. For me, these studies were rather like doors opening onto viticulture and winemaking. I understood that in my profession, every detail counts and for each one it involves mastering specific dexterity. Although my domain does not follow a totally agro-biological approach, preserving the delicate balance that exists between the vine, the soil and the environment fires my motivation every day.
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Notebooks
After the First World War, my grandfather had no other choice than to work. A self-taught man, he read extensively, because he was so eager to acquire the best possible understanding of the vine and wine. He jotted down his comments and observations in his notebooks; he was passionate about organic chemistry. He developed processes for fermentations which were incredible for that time. Reading through his notebooks, I understood just how meticulous he was and how indebted I am to him.
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Choices
Nature being sovereign, it sometimes reserves many surprises and pushes us to make choices for the best. The difficult 2012 vintage convinced me to make only one wine that year, balanced and harmonious, instead of three parcels. The hazards of the profession also force us to choose the unexpected. For the 2020, I couldn't get the bottles and corks in time. For the bottling, I had to extend the ageing period to 24 months in stainless steel vats. The wines have developed an airy character as they have gained in elegance and complexity. Today, I have kept these long maturing periods for my parcel-based vintages.
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Cru
Historically, the estate is located in the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent cru. The latter remains the exclusive property of the estate and the House. I can't imagine making Moulin-à-Vent grapes that don't come from my own vines or from terroirs whose identity we know perfectly well. However, between the domaine and the Maison, we offer wines with a clear style that cannot be compared. The "monochrome-varietal" effect is largely offset by the complementary nature of the terroirs and the character of the vintage.
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Visual selection of the most robust vines
I am lucky enough today to have a lot of old vines. Keeping them for as long as possible is at the core of my main concerns, while anticipating for the future. Planting new vines or replacing vines here and there, I have made the decision to carry out a visual selection of the most robust vines. It is a decision that involves drastic technical changes which I am ready to carry out.
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Ripe
I have always seen my grandfather and father be among the last to harvest, or almost. I remain loyal to their principle, because I hold the same conviction that to make fresh, delicious wines, it takes “thickness”, with concentrated tannins. Everything happens in the last days of ripening, for he who waits.
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Soil
The soils of the Beaujolais are so-called "poor" soils. This deceptive term is, on the contrary, a mark of quality soils because their very nature forces the vine to draw from deep down everything it needs to grow and give ripe, fresh grapes. This forces us to think about not going beyond their potential and to know exactly what they need in terms of organic inputs without rushing them or saturating them.
The land of Beaujolais • A century of family history
Our impetus • The wines • Contact
Domaine Paul Janin & Fils
651 rue de la Chanillière
71570 Romanèche-Thorins
03 85 35 52 80
Wine-tasting by appointment from Monday to Saturday,
from 10. to 12. and from 14. to 18.
Excessive drinking is dangerous for the health.
alcoholic beverages should be consumed with moderation.