Beaujolais Flashcards
Which Bourgogne appellations can accept fruit from Beaujolais?
Coteaux Bourguigons
Bourgogne Rougue/Blanc/Rosé/Pinot Noir/Aligoté & Gamay
When is the last year Bourgogne Aligoté can accept fruit from Beaujolais?
2035
Describe the history of Beaujolais Nouveau
Paris became one of Beajolais’ top markets in the 20th century as the railroad sytem expanded. Parisians became enamored with the Lyonnais tradition of drinking Beaujolais en primeur, creating the phenomenon. In 1985 it was declared that the “Beaujolais Nouveau” day was going to be the 3rd Thursday in November. It account for 1/3rd of the total production of Beaujolais.
Which river seperates the north and south of Beaujolais?
Nizerand
What is the climate?
Continental with mediterranean influences
Describe the seasons of Beaujolais
Springs: cool and wet with frost
Summers: warm from the Mediterranean
Autumns: warm with rain and humidity
Winters: cold with snow and frost
What are the soil types of northern Beaujolais? How does this impact the wine?
Granite (igneous) & schist (metamorphic) with arene/gorrhe.
Wines are structured and complex.
What are the soil types of southern Beaujolais? How does this impact the wine?
Clayey limestone. Pierres Dorées (Golden Stone) is found amongst alluvial deposits. These are all sedimentary in nature.
Wines are lighter and fruitier.
What topographical features influence the climate?
The moutain peaks of Monts du Beaujolais in the NW of the region provide vineyard sites with SE aspect and maximum sunlight exposure.
Which topographical zones are home to specific wine production?
Granite outcroppings of the mountains are home to the Crus.
Gentle slopes south and east of here produce Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village.
Rolling plains futher south produce the bulk of general Beaujolais AOC.
What are the red grapes?
Gamay (98%)
Pinot Noir
What are the white grapes?
Chardonnay
Aligoté
Melon de Bourgogne
Pinot Gris
What is the only grape approved for white wine?
Chardonnay
What makes up the optional field blend?
Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Superieur can supplement Gamay with Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Aligoté and Melon but only if these grapes are co-planted and enter the vat as a blend. These secondary grapes can’t represent more than 15% of the total.
What are the main pruning methods for Cru wines?
Gobelet.
Cordon and Eventail are also permitted.
How long are the maceration time for different level wines? Nouveau Beaujolais Beaujolais Villages Beaujolais Crus
Nouveau: 2-3 days
Beaujolais: 4-6 days
Beaujolais Villages: 5-9 days
Beaujolais Crus: 8-15 days
What is the winemaking method used to craft sparkling sweet rosé?
Ancestral (not AOC sanctioned)
Can grapes destined for Cru wine be machine harvested?
No
Name the 10 Beaujolais Crus from north to south
Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Cote de Brouilly and Brouilly.
Which is the biggest Cru?
Brouilly
Which is the newest Cru?
Régnié
Which is the smallest Cru?
Chénas
Which are the 3 more feminine Crus?
Saint-Amour, Fleurie & Chiroubles
Which are the 3 most age-worthy Crus?
Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon & Chénas
Which Cru is the king of Beaujolais?
Moulin-a-Vent
Which Cru is described as a bouquet of flowers in a velvet basket?
Chénas
What does the local verb pinoter refer to?
Wines of Moulin-a-Vent becoming Pinot-like with age.
Which Cru is considered the most feminine?
Fleurie
Which Cru is the benchmark Beaujolais?
Chiroubles
Which Cru has roches pourries (rotted rocks) soils?
Morgon
What does the local term morgonner mean?
When wines from Morgon pick up earthy notes of the forest floor like Pinot Noir.
What is special about the Cotes de Brouilly vineyards?
They slope in every direction.
What special soils are found in Brouilly?
Cornes vertes (green horns). This refers to when the decomposed diorite breaks down and release their minerals, creating a soil with a blue-green hue.
Which Cru is at the highest altitude?
Chiroubles
