The celebrated François Rabelais, a Renaissance writer and humanist born in Chinon around 1494, is intimately linked to both the town and its cherished wines. His bawdy, brainy tales often veer toward the pleasures of the table—and the glass. In “Gargantua” (1534), for instance, wine flows as freely as the wit.
Chinon wine held a special place in Rabelais’ universe. This red, often made from Cabernet Franc, is mineral, supple, and slightly rustic—a perfect match for the robust characters he drew. In fact, the vineyards nestled along the Vienne river might well have inspired some of his earthy metaphors and joyful sensuality.
Today, the “writer from Chinon who loved wine” connection lives on not only through scholarly study but through visits to the Maison de la Rabelaisie, tastings in the region, and literary festivals celebrating his wit and wine. As Rabelais himself might say, “Drink, but not without reading.”
