BEAUJOLAIS Flashcards
What date is Beaujolias Noveau released?
The third Thursday of November
The Saone River joins which river in the city of Lyon?
The Rhone
What wine region borders Beaujolais to the north?
Macon
What mountain range borders Beaujolais to the west?
The Monts du Beaujolais
Which river divides the northern and southern halves of Beaujolais?
Nizerand River
Marl and limestone soils dominate in the north or south?
South
Granitic and schist soils dominate in the north or south?
North
What is the climate of Beaujolais?
semi-continental (some influence from the Mediterranean)
Vignerons employ management practices to open up the canopy and maximise sunlight exposure (which also mitigates humidity build up and facilitates drying) to prevent what?
Grey rot
Interspersed midst the granite and schist rocks are sandy soils composed of weathered feldspars, micas, quartz and other minerals collectively referred to as?
Arene or Gorrhe
Found amongst the alluvial deposits in Southern Beaujolais is broken yellow limestone know as?
Pierres Dorrees (Golden Stones)
Soil type is significant in Beaujolais as Gamay demonstrates different characteristics when grown on different soils. It delivers more structured, complex wines when grown in the north or south?
North - granitic and schist soils
Soil type is significant in Beaujolais as Gamay demonstrates different characteristics when grown on different soils. It delivers lighter, fruitier, easy drinking wines when grown in the north or south?
South - limestone and clay
TRUE OR FALSE
The best vineyard sites are located on the steep granite outcropping of the Monts du Beaujolais in the north-western part of the region?
True
TRUE OR FALSE
Beaujolias crus are often harvested before the vineyards of southern Beaujolais?
True - this is due to the southwest aspect of vineyards which maximises light exposure and hastens ripening.
What % of plantings in Beaujolais are Gamay?
98%
What are the red grapes that are grown in Beaujolais?
Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc, Pinot Noir
What are the 4 white grapes grown in Beaujolais?
Chardonnay, Aligote, Melon de Bourgogne, Pinot Gris
TRUE OR FALSE
Pinot Noir is permitted in cru wines?
False - they must be 100% Gamay
What training technique was mandatory in Beaujolais?
Gobelet
Explain the Gobelet vine training technique
It keeps vines low to the ground. No stake or trellis is used. The vine is pruned to five or six short spurs that form a bowl (gobelet) around the trunk. This method limits yields; this concentrates flavour compounds in the clusters, providing high quality grapes that deliver full flavoured wines with ageing potential.
Which training method produces higher yields: Gobelet or Guyot?
Guyot
TRUE OR FALSE
The Beaujolais region pioneered the “Villages” concept in 1950
True
How many Villages are permitted to use the Beaujolais Villages appellation?
38
What is the common method of harvesting in Beaujolais? hand or machine?
Hand
Extremely aromatic which evokes fresh fruit (pressed grapes, raspberries, strawberries, cranberries) plus candied fruit, bananas and bubblegum with bright acidity and light tannins describes which type of Beaujolais wine?
Noveau
What are the 10 crus of Beaujolias from north to south
- Saint-Amour
- Julienas
- Chenas
- Moulin-a-Vent
- Fleurie
- Chiroubles
- Morgon
- Regenie
- Cote de Brouilly
- Brouilly
What is the northern most cru of Beaujolais with 12 special climats, producing wines of both long and short maceration times.
Saint-Amour
Which cru was named after Julias Caesar. Its soils are acidic and comprised of granite veined with magnesium and porphyry. It the eastern section of this AOC there are deep pockets of alluvial clay.
Julienas
Which Beaujolais cru has south facing vineyards, 4 special climats and its wines possess strawberry and lingonberry fruit with hints of violet and cinnamon. In certain years they display some peach and cassis aswell.
Julienas
Which AOC takes it name from the word oak tree?
Chenas (Chene)
Which is the smallest and rarest of the Beaujolais Crus?
Chenas
Which cru has vineyards located on Mont Remont, 2 special climats and produces wines with ageing potential that are floral with subtle hints of peony and rose. The tannins deliver a voluptuous mouth feel and the finish hints of spice and wood.
Chenas
Which Beaujolais Cru is named after a local windmill which has remained the symbol of the cru ever since?
Moulin-A-Vent
Which cru has soils that are composed of a soft and flakey arene plus a decomposed pink granite rich in Manganese?
Moulin-A-Vent
TRUE OR FALSE
Moulin-A-Vent is considered the “king of Beaujolais” because it produces the most full bodied and tannic wines of the Crus.
True
Which cru produces youthful wines that boast plum, cherry and a hint of violet. With age they become nuanced with dried fruit, truffle, cake spices and rose with meaty, musky undertones. The can last up to 10 years and can become “pinot-like’ (pinotent”
Moulin-A-Vent
Which cru, located at the foot of ‘La Madone” has two distinct soil types. Higher elevation consists of decomposed pink granite which is thin and dry, lower elevation the soils are deeper, richer and incorporate clay?
Fleurie
Which cru has 13 specials climats and is characterised by a wide range of fruity and floral aromas including peony, violet, iris, rose, red berries and peach. It is considered the most feminine of crus?
Fleurie
Which cru has the reputation of being the most ‘Beaujolais’ of all the crus?
Chiroubles - the wines are soft, light, fruity and delicate
Which AOC, with soils that are granite and gorrhe, is the highest of the 10 crus. It is also the coolest; harvest starts later here than others
Chiroubles
Which cru contains 2 special climats and produces wines that are highly perfumed and full of rose, peach, raspberry, lingonberry, and cake spices, with a silky mouthfeel.
Chiroubles
What is the second largest cru in Beaujolais?
Morgon
Which cru has soils composed of ‘roches pourries’ (rotted rocks) i.e. decomposed schist. These rocks are flakey and crumbly and rich in iron and manganese.
Morgon
Which wines cru is distinctly characterised by ripe cherry fruit attributed to the regions ‘rotted rocks’. They also possess hints of apricot, peach, plum within a powerful and rich framework of silken tannins.
Morgon
Which cru over time pick ups earthy notes of forest floor (sous bois) very reminiscent of Pinot Noir expressed by locals as morgonner
Morgon
What is the newest cru of Beaujolais?
Regenie
Which cru’s wines display tart cherry, raspberry, lingonberry and cassis. Sometimes, there is a hint of white peach.
Regenie
Which cru has vineyards facing north, south, east and west?
Cote de Brouilly
Which cru produces wines that taste of fresh grapes and cranberries, possess silken tannins, and boast vibrant acidity with a solid core of minerality. They take a few years in bottle to express their tru potential
Cote de Brouilly
What is the Southern most cru of Beaujolais?
Brouilly
Which crus have soils comprised of decomposed diorite, a volcanic rock that is almost blue-black in colour. As these soils break down and release their minerals, they create a soil with a blue-green hue referred to by the locals as cornes vertes (green horns)?
Brouilly and Cote de Brouiily
What wine making technique is commonly used when producing Beaujolias?
Carbonic Maceration
