Beaujolais

Question 1

Which grape variety is most widely grown in Beaujolais?

Answer 1

Gamay

Question 2

What type of climate does Beaujolais have?

Answer 2

Continental climate

Question 3

What moderates temp in Beaujolais?

Answer 3

Saone

Question 4

What has a significant cooling effect on the vineyards of Beaujolais?

Answer 4

The Mistral wind

Question 5

Explain how a wine producer may try and achieve concentration of flavors in Gamay grapes?

Answer 5

1. Vineyard management:
   a. Planting on south and south-east facing slopes for optimum sun exposure/nutrients/water
   b. Training the vine low to protect against strong winds and the added benefit to ripening from re-radiated heat from the ground.
   c. Canopy management - Gamay is a vigorous variety and spur pruning is recommended to reduce the vigor.
2. Ensuring stalks are ripe as Beaujolais wines usually require whole bunch fermentation, and unripe stalks can add bitterness and astringency.
3. Ensuring both the skins and pips are ripe to avoid added bitterness and herbaceous flavors.

Question 6

Which whole bunch fermentation techniques is used to make the majority of Beaujolais?

Answer 6

Semi-carbonic maceration

Question 7

How long do Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages wines usually spend macerating on the skins?

Answer 7

4-5 days

Question 8

What is free run juice often blended with to boost color and tannin in Beaujolais?

Answer 8

press wine

Question 9

Which of the following aromas/flavours are typical of Beaujolais wines?

Answer 9

banana
strawberry
kirsch
blueberry

Question 10

What type of winemaking has the Beaujolais region become famous for?

Answer 10

low intervention
sustainable
organic

Question 11

When can Beaujolais Nouveau be sold?

Answer 11

From the third Thursday in November. French wine laws dictate wines made in the country cannot be sold before 15th December. An exception is made for Beaujolais Nouveau.

Question 12

What is the maximum yield for Beaujolais AOC in hL/ha.

Answer 12

60, leading to wines with low flavor intensity

Question 13

What Beaujolais Cru includes wines from fruit grown on the south-facing Côte de Py vineyard, part of appellation, that tend to have pronounced intensity black cherry fruit alongside red fruit, and sufficient tannins to age for a decade in bottle.

Answer 13

Morgon

Question 14

What Beaujolais cru is two parts: the southern part of this cru has sandy soils producing lighter and more fragrant wine, while towards the north, where the soils have more clay, the wines become heavier, have lower acidity and are more full-bodied.

Answer 14

Fleurie

Question 15

What Beaujolais cru produces the most powerful and long-lived wines, closer in style to Côte d’Or red wines than to most other Beaujolais.

Answer 15

Moulin-a-Vent

Question 16

What Beuajolais cru is the highest altitude that produces lighter and fragrant wines with marked acidity.

Answer 16

Chiroubles

Question 17

What beaujolais cru is the most southern and marginally warmer area, producing wines in a lighter, more perfumed style.

Answer 17

Brouilly

Question 18

What % of Beaujolais is produced by co-ops with many growers choosing to sell to them?

Answer 18

25%

Question 19

What is the average vineyard holding size per grower in Beaujolais?

Answer 19

10 ha

Question 20

What % of Beaujolais is exported?

Answer 20

40%

Question 21

What are the top export markets for Beaujolais and what is their style preference?

Answer 21

Japan- Nouveau
USA & UK- village and cru