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.)