17. Beaujolais Flashcards
Name the 10 Crus of Beaujolais from North to South.
Saint Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Regnie, Brouilly,Cote de Brouilly, (Brouilly) [mnemonic: Saint Julia Childs Makes Fine Coffee Mornings Regularly Before Breakfast. (Watch out for Childs is Chenas, not Chiroubles; also typo on page 96 in WSET book)]
What were the first five Crus of Beaujolais created.
1938: Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon [mneumonic: “Child’s morning”]
What was the last Cru of Beaujolais created.
Regnie (1988)
Smallest Cru of Beaujolais.
Chenas
Largest Cru of Beaujolais.
Brouilly
Name the Beaujolais Cru associated with Valentine’s Day.
Saint Amour
Name the 3 Beaujolais Crus with the greatest aging potential.
Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon (3 of the 5 original Crus)
Beaujolais wine is grown in which two French Departments?
Saone et Loire (in Bourgogne Region) and Rhone (Rhone-Alps Region)
What is the Province of Bourgogne?
A political region that existed until the French Revolution and included Beaujolais. These provinces were later replaced by regions and subdivided into departments.
Who is namesake of Brouilly?
Brulius, a Roman army lieutenant
Who is the namesake of Julienas?
Julius Caesar
What day is Beaujolais Nouveau available?
third November Thursday (since 1985)[mnemonic: TNT]
What portion of total Beaujolais regional production Is dedicated to Beaujolais Nouveau?
up to a half; two-thirds of which is from Beaujolais AOC, one-third from Beaujolais Villages AOC and none from cru village.
What characteristics of Gamay lend itself to Beaujolais Nouveau?
soft fruitiness (raspberries, strawberries and cranberries), bright acidity and low tannins
What is the soil type of Northern Beaujolais?
granite and schist (igneous); crus are in rolling hills [“Gamay loves Granite’]
What is the soil type of Southern Beaujolais?
marl, limestone and clay (sedimentary)
In what part of Beaujolais is most of the Village and Cru wine sourced?
Northern
In what part of Beaujolais is most of the Beaujolais AOC wine sourced?
Southern
What is the climate of Beaujolais?
semi-continental
What is the dividing point of Northern and Southern Beaujolais?
Nizerand River near Villefranche-sur-Saone
What are Pierres Dorees?
broken yellow limestone in southern part of Beaujolais
Which harvest is earlier, Northern or Southern Beaujolais?
Northern! (Clay in the south remains too cold.)
What is gouleyant?
the way fine Beaujolais slips ineffably down the throat, aka “gluggable”
What is the serving temperature of Beaujolais wine?
13 degrees for Nouveau, whites and non-cru reds, 14 degrees for cru reds. (Cooler serving temperatures is also true for Cab Franc from Loire.)
What is the meaning of “Primeur” on a Beaujolais label?
same as Nouveau, but Primeur cannot be sold to trade after Jan 31
What is the meaning of “superieur” on a Beaujolais label?
for reds and roses, slightly higher alcohol and slightly lower maximum yields
What percent of Beaujolais wine production is white?
one percent
Cru Beaujolais contains what percent Gamay?
at least 85% (except Regnie which is 100% Gamay)
Cru Beaujolais can be blended with which grapes?
Chardonnay, Aligote and Melon
Red non-Cru Beaujolais can be blended with what grapes?
Chardonnay, Aligote and Melon, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris
White Beaujolais is made from what grapes?
Chardonnay and Aligote (until 2024)
What is the main training techniques used for the best vineyards in Beaujolais?
Gobelet: shoots of bush trained vines are tied together at the tips, which helps expose burnches to air and sunlight; lesser vineyards may train along wires
What is an example of a short pruning method?
Gobelot
What is an example of a long pruning method?
Guyot
How many AOC’s are in Beaujolais?
12 (10 Cru AOC’s, Beaujolais AOC, Beaujolais Villages AOC, but 96 villages)
What are characteristics of sparkling sweet rose from Beaujolais?
growing market, not AOC sanctioned, Methode Ancestrale
What does “pinoter” mean?
aged Beaujolais that becomes Pinot-like
Which Cru is considered the “King of Beaujolais”?
Moulin-a-Vent AOC
What are “roches pourries”? Where are they most significant?
rotted rocks from Morgon AOC, may be associated with cherry fruit character
What is the meaning of “morgonne”
express its terroir, earthy notes of forest floor (like Pinot Noir)
Which Beaujolais Cru has vineyards that face in all directions?
Cote de Brouilly AOC
What does sparkling wine from Beaujolais contain?
Chardonnay, Gamay, Pinot Noir; labeled Cremant de Bourgogne.
The name of Beaujolais comes from what?
town of Beaujeu
What kind of monks lived in Beaujolais in the Middle Ages?
Benedictine monks
What are the four boundries of Beaujolais?
Lyon, Macon, Monts of Beaujolais, Saone River
What juice is more prized, free-run or pressed?
free run
How many AOC’s are for Beaujolais Nouveau?
None.
How many villages can produce Beaujolais?
96 (but only 12 AOC’s)
Name the French wine regions that practice semi-carbonic maceration.
Beaujolais (Gamay), Roussillon and Languedoc (Carignan), Gaillac (Gamay)
How many villages can produce Beaujolais Villages AOC wine?
39
Compare the number of villages that make Beaujolais vs CDR.
96 vs 171
Compare the number of villages that make Beaujolais Village vs CDRV.
39 vs 95
Compare the number of villages that make Beaujolais Cru vs CDR Cru
10 vs 16
What are some typical Beaujolais flavor profiles?
kirsch, bubble gum, banana, cinnamon spices
What are basic Gamay Flavors without Carbonic Maceration?
raspberry, cherry
