4. Beaujolais Flashcards
What is the climate of Beaujolais?
Continental, but slightly warmer than the rest of Burgundy
Which river acts as a moderator of extreme temperatures?
The Saone River
What wind can affect flowering and the ripening of Gamay in Beaujolais?
The Mistral
At what altitude are the Beaujolais Cru and Beaujolais-Villages AOCs planted?
200-500m
Describe the soil of Beaujolais Cru and Beaujolais-Villages AOCs (3)
Fast-draining granite, schist and sand
How are vines for Beaujolais Cru and Beaujolais-Villages AOCs oriented?
South and south-east facing slopes for maximum sun exposure
When does Gamay bud?
Early
What is Gamay vulnerable to? (4)
1) Millerandage
2) Rot
3) Wind (can damage its thin skins)
4) Spring frost
When does Gamay ripen?
Early
How are vines traditionally trained in Beaujolais and why?
1) Gobelet/bush (no trellis) - head trained, spur pruned
2) To offer some wind protection
How are modern, higher volume Beaujolais vines trained and why?
1) VSP on trellises
2) To aid mechanisation for inexpensive wine
What is the white grape variety permitted in Beaujolais?
Chardonnay
Where is Chardonnay often found when grown in Beaujolais?
In the north bordering the Macon Villages appellation
What are the 10 crus of Beaujolais north to south?
1) Saint-Amour
2) Julienas
3) Chenas
4) Moulin-a-Vent*
5) Fleurie*
6) Chiroubles*
7) Morgon*
8) Regnie
9) Brouilly*
10) Cote de Brouilly
Is chaptalisation allowed?
Yes. It’s common in cooler years
What is the typical maceration time for Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages?
4-5 days to enhance the fruitiness and depth of colour suited for early consumption
What is the typical maceration time for Cru Beaujolais?
10-20 days
What winemaking choice can contribute to higher production costs of Cru Beaujolais?
Maturation in small or large barrels
Beaujolais that is destemmed and crushed followed by traditional fermentation and maceration on skins produce what style of wine? (3)
Deeper in colour
Fuller bodied
Higher tannin levels
Name two pioneers of France’s natural wine movement who were from Beaujolais
Jules Chauvet
Marcel Lapierre
Who are the gang of four?
Marcel Lapierre
Jean Foillard
Guy Breton
Jean-Paul Thévenet
According to French wine law, the earliest any AOC wine can be sold is 15 December. Beaujolais Nouveau is an exception. When is it released?
From the third Thursday in November
Beaujolais AOC is a regional appellation, but in practice the majority of vineyards are situated where?
In the south
When is Beaujolais AOC permitted to be sold?
From mid-January of the year after harvest
Why are Beaujolais-Villages often of a higher quality than Beaujolais AOC?
Due to higher levels of ripeness achieved in the northern half of Beaujolais where the Villages are situated surrounding the 10 crus
Which are the two largest Beaujolais Crus?
Brouilly and Morgon
Provide a synopsis of Brouilly AOC
Further south so marginally warmer area producing wines in a lighter, perfumed style
Provide a synopsis of Chiroubles AOC
The highest altitude cru that produces lighter and fragrant wines with a marked acidity
Provide a synopsis of the wines from Fleurie AOC’s north and south (2)
1) More clay in the north producing heavier, lower acid and fuller-bodied wines
2) Sandy soils in the south producing lighter, fragrant wines
Provide a synopsis of Moulin-a-Vent AOC
The most powerful and long-loved wines closer to Cote d’Or reds
Provide a synopsis of Morgon AOC
Pronounced intensity black cherry and red fruit with sufficient tannins to age for a decade in bottle
What has contributed to the drive in quality and away from carbonic maceration throughout Beaujolais in recent years?
Land prices are much cheaper than in Burgundy, which has attracted investment from Burgundy domaines looking to diversify
What are the top four export markets for Beaujolais?
1) USA
2) UK
3) Canada (villages and cru)
4) Japan (nouveau)
What is the maximum yield of Beaujolais AOC?
60 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield of Beaujolais-Villages AOC?
58 hL/ha
What is the maximum yield of Beaujolais Cru?
48 hL/ha
Which is harvested earlier: the Cru or Beaujolais AOC? Why?
1) The Crus
2) They achieve a higher level of ripeness due to their south, south-east facing aspect whereas Beaujolais AOC vineyards are flatter and more fertile
Name a producer of Chiroubles
Metrat
Name a producer of Fleurie
Anne-Sophie Dubois
Name a producer of Brouilly
Georges Descombes
Name a producer of Morgon
Foillard
Name a producer of Moulin-a-Vent
Chermette
Why is it imporant to reduce the number of buds on Gamay vines?
Gamay is a productive grape and yields need to be controlled for it to produce
concentrated, ripe grapes.
What effect can the Mistral have on the vines?
Can affect flowering and lead to millerandage
How might tannin and colour be enhanced in a Beaujolais AOC?
By blending press juice with free run juice
What is the notable south-facing vineyard situated within Morgon?
Côte de Py
What is the name of Beaujolais’s marketing body?
Inter Beaujolais
Co-operatives account for what per cent of Beaujolais’s production?
25%
What is the name of the important negociant who promoted Nouveau to the world?
George Duboeuf
