A range of hills between the upper reaches of the Loire and Lyons in eastern France give their name to light, vigorous red and rosé wines made, like beaujolais, from the gamay grape. The wines, designed for early drinking, may taste reminiscent of those of the Côte roannaise to the north. Both regions, part-granitic, have known greater glory. Full aoc status was granted to Côtes du Forez in 2000. It is higher than the Côte Roannaise, has a slightly less dependable climate, and has taken an almost exclusively co-operative route. The Vignerons Foréziens co-operative is based in Boën-sur-Lignon and has won acclaim for its policy of developing quality through a series of different cuvées. Plantings had fallen to below 100 ha/250 acres by the early 2010s.
