Fleurie
🇫🇷 France
AOC Rare findCru 1936 - The "Queen of Beaujolais," 870 hectares of silky perfumed elegance
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Region profile
History
Despite the floral wines, the name comes from a Roman legionnaire named Florus, not flowers. The La Madone chapel was built in 1866 atop the highest hill after the village survived both the oidium plague of the 1850s and the devastating 1865 frosts - villagers believed the Virgin Mary protected their vines. Yvon Métras, who farms 65-80 year old vines on La Roilette, is considered the "unofficial fifth member" of the Gang of Four natural wine movement - his traditional methods and old vines produce some of Beaujolais' most sought-after bottles.
- Climate
- Pink granite with unique iron-rich sand; southeast exposure at 350m creates perfect sun/shade balance; thin acidic soil forces deep rooting; 13 named climats each with distinct character
- Signature wines
- Yvon Métras Fleurie "Ultime" - the unofficial Gang of Four member's top cuvée, 65-80 year old vines fermented in ancient foudres, natural wine that converts skeptics; only 2,000 bottles produced
- What sets it apart
- Called "Queen of Beaujolais" to Moulin-à-Vent's "King"; the La Madone chapel is visible from across the appellation, a spiritual beacon over the vines; Yvon Métras is the "secret fifth" Gang of Four member
Facts
- 870 hectares with 180 growers producing 2M+ bottles annually
- 13 classified climats including La Madone (50ha, largest and most famous), La Roilette, Champagne, Les Moriers
- Cave des Producteurs des Grands Vins de Fleurie founded 1927 is Beaujolais' oldest cooperative
- AOC September 1936
Region profile from the Wine Memories wine-data corpus · verified January 2026