16. Beaujolais Flashcards
1
Q
Describe the soil and climate of Beaujolais. Describe the grape growing techniques.
A
- moderate continental
- best wines: granite, low-nutrient soils
- yields can get high
- gobelet method of pruning: vines pruned to spurs around the head, then the shoots are tied together to hold them vertically
- also trained around wires to allow for mechanization
2
Q
Describe Gamey wines.
A
- fragrant wines
- raspberry, cherry
- rarely have higher than medium body and tannin
- light styles serve slightly chilled
3
Q
Describe the hierarchy of Beaujolais wines.
A
- Regional appellation of Beaujolais
- Beaujolais Villages
- Beaujolais cru (10)
4
Q
Describe the regional Beaujolais wines.
A
- east and south
- alluvial plain, River Saône
- carbonic maceration
- semi-carbonic maceration
5
Q
What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
A
- wine make specifically for early drinking
- cannot be released to the consumer until the third Thursday of Nov after the vintage
- can only be Beaujolais or Beaujolais Villages, not cru
- light body
- low tannin
- red berry fruit
- kirsch, banana, cinnamon-like spice from carbonic maceration
6
Q
Describe Beaujolais Villages.
A
- north and west
- rolling hills
- granite soils
- 39 villages
- individual village names rarely appear on labels
- blend of different villages
7
Q
Describe Beaujolais cru.
A
- 10 villages entitled to their own appelation
- Brouilly
- Morgon
- Fleurie
- Moulin-a-Vent
8
Q
Which two Beaujolais cru produce the most structured wines? What does this mean?
A
Morgon
Moulin-a-Vent
- fruit concentration, higher level of tannins
- good for bottle aging
9
Q
Which two Beaujolais cru produce a lighter, more perfumed style of wines?
A
Brouilly
Fleurie
10
Q
What are the typical wine-making techniques of the Beaujolais cru?
A
- crushed fruit fermentation
- some oak aging (large vats rather than casks)
- rarely display new oak flavors
- semi carbonic maceration
- some small proportion of while bunches (brighter fruit aromas)
