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French Wine Scholar > Beaujolais > Flashcards

Beaujolais Flashcards

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1
Q

Which wine region was Beaujolais previously included in?

A

Grande Bourgogne (Greater Burgundy); it was considered to be one of 5 sub-regions, prior to the French Revolution.

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2
Q

Which departements does Beaujolais reside within?

A
  • Saone et Loire within the region of Bourgogne-Franche-Comte
  • Rhone within the region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes
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3
Q

Name the inter-professional organizations that promote Bourgogne & Beaujolais

A
  • Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB)
  • Inter Beaujolais

Notes: these wine regions operate independently of one another in regards to marketing, sales, viticultural/vinicultural research and development.

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4
Q

Beaujolais and Bourgogne operate completely independent of one another with what exception?

A

Most of the regional Bourgogne AOCs can incorporate fruit from the historic Grande Bourgogne, including certain communes within Beaujolais.

This practice officially comes to an end as of 2035. Hence Beaujolais’s existing plots of Aligote are being phased out.

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5
Q

Who is Jules Chauvet?

A

A 4th generation winemaker, research chemist and Beaujolais native who championed the process of carbonic maceration in the 1950s. He experimented with this technique as a way to boost wine aromas.
He developed the INAO tasting glass to better capture wine aromas and is regarded as one of the best tasters in living memory.
He is also the father of the natural wine movement.

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6
Q

Which historical figure lauded the wines of Beaujolais and drank them every day?

A

General Charles de Gaulle

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7
Q

When was Beaujolais Nouveau first commercialized and made popular?

A

First commercialized in 1951.
It reached its pinnacle of popularity (and sales) in 1999.

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8
Q

How has Beaujolais benefited from the decline in Nouveau’s popularity?

A

This has allowed the region to explore the potential of Gamay, rose and the vineyards themselves.

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9
Q

How many Gamay variants have been amassed at Chateau de l’Eclair?

A

1,000

Beaujolais began collecting clones in 2003 to build a national Gamay conservatory.

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10
Q

What constituted the extensive soil assessment of the growing areas of Beaujolais in 2009?

A

Over the course of 8 years, it carried out:
* 50 field assays
* dug 1,000 soil pits
* performed 15,000 individual soil surveys

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11
Q

How many soil variations are found in Beaujolais and what are the forces that created them?

A

300 soil variations.
This rich and complex geology was generated by the forces that created both the Massif Central and the Alps.

Note: this geology earned Beaujolais a UNESCO Global Geopark designation in 2018.

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12
Q

What are some new production trends occurring in Beaujolais?

A
  • vinifying Gamay with conventional Bourgogne fermentation techniques
  • crafting rose via direct press
  • crafting rose via saignee
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13
Q

How much has rose production in Beaujolais increased from 2018 to 2019?

A

35%

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14
Q

Beaujolais was first cultivated by which ancient people?

A

Romans

They planted vines all the way from the mouth of the Rhone through the Saone River Valley.

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15
Q

Who was responsible for tending the vineyards and keeping viticulture alive during the 7th century through the Middle Ages?

A

Benedictine monks

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16
Q

Where does Beaujolais get its name from?

A

Beaujeu, which was the name of a town from the 10th century that was ruled by Lords.

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17
Q

What is vin primeur?

A

This means “first vinified”.
The Lyonnais tradition of celebrating the end of harvest by drinking Beaujolais as it was first vinified.
This practice created the fashionable trend and long-lasting phenomenon of Beaujolais Nouveau.

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18
Q

What was the initial release date set by the Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins du Beaujolais (UIVB) for Beaujolais Nouveau wines?

A

November 15th (1951)

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19
Q

What is the current release date of Beaujolais Nouveau?

A

The 3rd Thursday of every November (1985).

As set by the Institut National des Appellations d’Origine (INAO).

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20
Q

What major holiday does the release of Beaujolais Nouveau coincide with?

A

American Thanksgiving

Beaujolais touted the wine’s superb compatibility with turkey and ham, cementing Beaujolais’s vinous role as an integral part of that national feast day.

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21
Q

Where is Beaujolais located?

A

This region is in eastern-central France. It is bordered by the Maconnais to the north, the city of Lyon to the south, the Monts du Beaujolais mountains to the west and the Saone River to the east.

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22
Q

How long/wide is Beaujolais?

A
  • 34mi/55km long from north to south
  • 7-9mi/11-14km wide east to west
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23
Q

What is the climate in Beaujolais?

A

Semi-continental

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24
Q

What topographical features influence the climate in Beaujolais?

A
  • Monts du Beaujolais (to the west): shelters the vines from cold winds and creates a rain shadow
  • Saone River (to the east): regulates temperature extremes
  • Mediterranean Sea: the relative proximity brings a little extra warmth
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25
Q

What are the seasons like in Beaujolais?

A

Beaujolais experiences all 4 seasons:
* wide temperature differential between summer & winter (continentality)
* Summers: warm & dry
* Winter: cold, with light snow

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26
Q

How much rainfall does Beaujolais receive?

A

Approx. 29in/740mm per year.

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27
Q

What hazards to the vine are present in Beaujolais?

A
  • Spring frost
  • Autumn rain (Gamay is susceptible to gray rot)

Note: Canopy management is key to mitigating humidity buildup

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28
Q

How were the soils in Beaujolais created?

A

300mya they sat deep under the earth. Soils were pushed to the surface 33mya along with the Massif Central. This process was characterized by heat and pressure,

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29
Q

What types of soils are found in Beaujolais?

A

Northern: Granite & schist, interspersed with sandy soils composed of weathered feldspars, micas, quartz & other minerals collectively referred to as arene/gorrhe
Southern: Clayey limestone; Pierres Dorees/Golden Stones (broken yellow limestone) is found midst alluvial deposits formed on the Saone Plain during the close of the last Ice Age. Iron-oxide gives it the signature gold colour.

Note: the soils of the south are old, but not as old as north.

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30
Q

Where in Beaujolais are the best vineyard sites located?

A

On the steep granite outcroppings of the Monts du Beaujolais in the northwestern part of the region.
This is were the grapes for the crus are grown.
The southeastern aspect of these slopes maximizes sunlight exposure and hastens ripening.

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31
Q

Where are grapes usually harvest first? Northern (cru) or southern Beaujolais?

A

Beaujolais Crus (northern)

The slopes intensify the sunlight/warmth on the vines to speed up ripening.

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32
Q

Where are the vineyards of Beaujolais Villages found?

A

South and east from the granite peaks of nothern Beaujolais on gentler slopes.

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33
Q

Where are the vineyards of Beaujolais AOC found?

A

The bulk of these vineyards are found further south from the gentler slopes on a rolling plain.
They stop before they reach the Saone River, where the land is too fertile for the vine.

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34
Q

Name the grape varieties of Beaujolais.

A

White:
* [P] Chardonnay (2%)
* [S] Aligote, Melon de Bourgogne

Rose/Gris:
* [S] Pinot Gris

Red:
* [P] Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc (98%)
* [S] Pinot Noir

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35
Q

What types of soils does the Gamay variety grow well in?

A

It has a preference for granite soils,
but it is very adaptable to other soils.

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36
Q

What vine training methods are used in Beaujolais?

A

Red Beaujolais Villages & Beaujolais Cru AOCs:
* Gobelet (short or spur pruning); previously mandatory
* Cordon (single or double); now authorized
* Eventail (spur pruning); now authorized

Red & white Beaujolais and white Beaujolais Villages:
* Guyot

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37
Q

Why is the Guyot method not authorized for use in red Beaujolais Village or Beaujolais Cru vineyards?

A

This long pruning method produces a higher number of fruiting buds, generating higher yields. Higher yields reduces the overall quality of the grapes.

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38
Q

How are vineyards harvested in Beaujolais?

A

Mechanical harvesting is permitted, but not widely practiced due to the hilly topography and quality reasons.
It is completely disallowed for Beaujolais Noveau production (whole bunches can only be harvested by hand).

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39
Q

What is Terra Vitis?

A

A sustainable vine-growing certification that was initiated by a group of Beaujolais grape growers with exacting standards and a profound respect for nature.
Its inaugural certifications were awarded in 1998 in Beaujolais, but the organization currently counts more than 700 members across the whole of France.

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40
Q

What winemaking methods are used in Beaujolais?

A
  • Semi-carbonic maceration (Gamay is largely fermented via this process), involves an enzymatic fermentation & a traditional fermentation
  • Bourgogne red winemaking tradition (grapes are destemmed, crushed and undergo a yeast-driven alcoholic fermentation with maceration); this is a current & growing trend
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41
Q

Which wines in Beaujolais undergo aging?

A

Wines produced via semi-carbonic maceration undergo an optional aging period.
Beaujolais Nouveau wines do not undergo any aging and are bottle and released shortly after production is complete.

Wines produced in the traditional red Bourgogne method are more likely to undergo an aging period.

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42
Q

Describe Beaujolais wines produced using the red Bourgogne method.

A

This process produces drastically different wines from semi-carbonic maceration.
There is much less primary fruit and oftentimes perceptible notes of oak

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43
Q

Where in Beaujolais is the red Bourgogne method being used?

A

Occasionally within the Beaujolais Villages category.
More often found within the cru AOCs.

Note: this is never used for Beaujolais Nouveau

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44
Q

Which uncommon wine styles in Beaujolais are on the rise?

A
  • Beaujolais Nouveau rose
  • Dry white Beaujolais & Beaujolais Villages
  • sparkling sweet rose (not AOC sanctioned as of 2020); generally produced by the methode ancestrale (but not always)
45
Q

Beaujolais contributes grapes to which regions sparkling wines?

A

Cremant de Bourgogne

Small amounts of Chardonnay, Gamay & Pinot Noir are used.

46
Q

How many villages are there in the Beaujolais zone of production?

A

96

47
Q

How much area do the vineyards of Beaujolais cover?

A

11,675ac/4,724ha (2018)

48
Q

What are the 2 distinct zones of Beaujolais and what areas do they cover?

A
  • Northern Beaujolais: a band of contiguous vineyards running north from Villefranche-sur-Saone to the village of Saint-Amour; includes all of the cru AOCs plus the Beaujolais Villages zones of production.
  • Southern Beaujolais: the entire area south of the Nizerand River; the majority of the Beaujolais AOC zone of production is centered here.
49
Q

Name the non-cru AOCs of Beaujolais.

A
  • Beaujolais AOC
  • Beaujolais Villages AOC
50
Q

When was Beaujolais awarded AOC status?

A

1937

51
Q

What wine styles are produced under Beaujolais AOC?

A
  • Dry white
  • Rose
  • Red
52
Q

What grape varieties are permitted under Beaujolais AOC?

A

White:
* [P] Chardonnay
* [S] Aligote, Melon de Bourgogne

Rose/Gris:
* [S] Pinot Gris

Red:
* [P] Gamay
* [S] Pinot Noir

53
Q

What percentage of Beaujolais AOC’s production is red?

A

99%

54
Q

What percentage of red/rose wines from Beaujolais AOC can include secondary grapes?

A

Field blends can include up to 15% of:
* Pinot Noir
* Chardonnay
* Aligote
* Pinot Gris
* Melon

In reality, wines are almost always 100% Gamay.

55
Q

When can red Beaujolais AOC be labeled as superieur?

A
  • if it contains slightly higher alcohol
  • is produced from lower yields
56
Q

How many villages in Beaujolais AOC are recognized for producing wines of distinction and can append their names to the word “Beaujolais” on the label?

A

30

However, this is rarely done.

57
Q

What are the characteristics of red Beaujolais AOC wines?

A

Displays a fresh overt grapiness and is has light pigment, light tannins and bright acidity.

58
Q

What grape is used to produce white Beaujolais AOC?

A

Chardonnay

Most are unoaked.

59
Q

When was Beaujolais Villages awarded AOC status?

A

1938

60
Q

What styles of wine are produced under Beaujolais Villages AOC?

A
  • Dry white
  • Rose
  • Red

Note: the same as Beaujolais AOC

61
Q

What grape varieties are permitted for use under Beaujolais Villages?

A

The same as Beaujolais AOC.

62
Q

How many villages qualify for the Beaujolais Villages designation?

A

38 villages can label their wines Beaujolais Villages AOC.

63
Q

What are the field blend rules for red/rose wines from Beaujolais Villages AOC?

A

Can include up to 15% of secondary grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote, Pinot Gris, Melon de Bourgogne.

The same as for Beaujolais AOC.

64
Q

What are the characteristics of Beaujolais Villages AOC wines?

A

More densely pigmented than Beaujolais AOC wines, with less overt grapiness, deeper berry fruit and a distinct core of minerality.

These qualities are attributed to the presence of granite in the Beaujolais Villages zone of production.

65
Q

What grape is used in the production of white Beaujolais Villages AOC?

A

100% Chardonnay

Same as Beaujolais AOC

66
Q

What are the characteristics of white wines from Beaujolais Villages AOC?

A

Slightly more concentrated in flavour than the regional Beaujolais AOC. It is deeper, richer and more supple on the palate and mirrors white Macon in style.

67
Q

How are Beaujolais Nouveau wines classified?

A
  • Beaujolais: two-thirds of nouveau bottled as under this AOC
  • Beaujolais Villages

They follow the blending formulas, yields and minimum alcohol levels for the AOC category under which they are bottled.
They may be red or rose.

68
Q

How may Beaujolais Nouveau wines be labeled?

A
  • nouveau
  • primeur
69
Q

What are some requirements in the production of Beaujolais Nouveau wines?

A
  • Hand harvest
  • Semi-carbonic maceration
70
Q

What are the characteristics of Beaujolais Nouveau wines?

A

This is an extremely aromatic product that evokes fresh and candied fruit, bananas and bubblegum.
It is best served slightly chilled, due to its bright acidity and light tannins.

71
Q

Name the cru AOCs of Beaujolais.

A

From North to South:
* Saint-Amour AOC
* Julienas AOC
* Chenas AOC
* Moulin-a-Vent AOC
* Fleurie AOC
* Chiroubles AOC
* Morgon AOC
* Regnie AOC
* Cote de Brouilly AOC
* Brouilly AOC

Note: As Cote de Brouilly AOC lies within and is completely encircled by Brouilly AOC, Brouilly AOC both precedes and follows this cru in a north-south line-up.

72
Q

What percentage of Beaujolais’s production do the crus represent?

A

40%

73
Q

How do the Beaujolais crus differ from Beaujolais & Beaujolais Villages?

A
  • more structured
  • higher percentage of old fruit
  • longer skin contact during fermentation
  • aging potential
74
Q

What percentage of Beaujolais Cru wines are red?

A

100%

75
Q

What grapes are used in Beaujolais Cru wines?

A

Most are 100% Gamay.

Field blends allow up to 15% secondary grapes.

White grapes:
* [S] Aligote, Chardonnay, Melon de Bourgogne

Red grapes:
* [P] Gamay

76
Q

How are grapes harvested in Beaujolais Cru?

A

All crus mandate hand harvesting.

77
Q

What’s the significance of lieux-dits within Beaujolais Cru?

A

All of the crus have identified specific vineyard parcels (lieux-dits) within their boundaries that have reputations for producting high-quality wine.
These sites have been substantiated by geological & terroir studies sponsored by Inter Beaujolais.

The most well-known of these sites is Cote du Py within the Morgon AOC.

The goal is to have these vineyards recognized as climats by INAO, with eventual recognition of some of the sites as Premier Crus.

78
Q

Which 3 of the Beaujolais Crus tend to make their wines in a soft and light style?

A
  • Saint-Amour AOC
  • Fleurie AOC
  • Chiroubles AOC
79
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is always promoted around Valentines day?

A

Saint-Amour AOC (1946), which translates as “Saint Love”.

80
Q

Where is Saint-Amour AOC located?

A

This is the northermost Beaujolais Cru. Its vineyards border those of Bourgogne’s Maconnais region.

81
Q

What types of wines are produced in Saint-Amour AOC?

A
  • Short maceration: light, fruity and perfumed
  • Long maceration: naturally more tannic and structured
82
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is called the “Queen of Beaujolais”?

A

Fleurie AOC (1936)

This is considered the most “feminine” of all the crus.

83
Q

What are the characteristics of Fleurie AOC wines?

A

Floral, as the name indicates, but it can age and will develop sweet spice elements as it does.

84
Q

Where does Fleurie AOC get its name from?

A

A Roman legionnaire.

85
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is the highest and coolest?

A

Chiroubles AOC

Its vineyards are located upon steep slopes between 820-1,475ft/250-450m in elevation.
Harvest starts later here than in the other crus.

86
Q

What are the characteristics of Chiroubles AOC wines?

A

These have the reputation for being the most “Beaujolais” of all the crus.
The wines are soft, light, fruity & delicate. Benchmark Beaujolais.

87
Q

Which 4 Beaujolais Crus are generally considered to be more medium-bodied in structure?

A
  • Julienas AOC
  • Regnie AOC
  • Cote de Brouilly AOC
  • Brouilly AOC
88
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is named after Julius Caesar?

A

Julienas AOC (1938)

89
Q

What are the characteristics of Julienas AOC wines?

A

Layered and complex because the vineyards lie on diverse soil types.

90
Q

Which of the Beaujolais Crus is the newest?

A

Regnie AOC (1988)

91
Q

How does the soil in Regnie AOC influence the wine?

A

Soils have a higher percentage of sand, which crafts aromatic wines that are quick to mature.

92
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is the only one to have vineyards on slopes facing each point of the compass?

A

Cote de Brouilly AOC (1938)

Located on the slopes of Mount Brouilly.

93
Q

How does the soil in Cote de Brouilly AOC influence the wines?

A

Soils have a volcanic element (diorite) which gives the wines a unique hit of pepper.

94
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is named for a mountain, which is named after Brulius, a Roman army lieutenant?

A

Brouilly AOC (1938)

95
Q

Where is Brouilly AOC located?

A

The vineyards are located on a plateau surrounding the base of Mount Brouilly.

96
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is the southernmost and largest of the crus?

A

Brouilly AOC

It experiences much more of the Mediterranean warmth and sunshine than its northern neighbors.

97
Q

What soil type is found in Brouilly AOC?

A

Volcanic Diorite

Same as Cote de Brouilly AOC.

98
Q

Which 3 Beaujolais Crus are considered to be more powerful & generous, with more significant aging potential?

A
  • Chenas AOC
  • Moulin-a-Vent AOC
  • Morgon AOC
99
Q

Which is the smallest of the Beaujolais Crus?

A

Chenas AOC (1936)

100
Q

Where does Chenas AOC get its name from?

A

Chenas’ name recalls its location, an ancient oak forest.
Chene means “oak tree.”

101
Q

What are the characteristics of Chenas AOC wines?

A

Concentrated and need a few years of bottle age to manifest their true potential.
The flavour profile is described by locals as “a bouquet of flowers in a velvet basket.”
These wines often hint of wood even if there is no barrel regimen.

102
Q

Which Beaujolais Cru is named after a local windmill and is considered the “King of Beaujolais”?

A

Moulin-a-Vent AOC (1936)

The local windmill became a historic monument in 1930. The windmill has remained the symbol of the cru ever since.

103
Q

What vinification methods do many of the local vignerons of Moulin-a-Vent AOC favour?

A

Bourgogne methods.
These wines are the most full-bodied and tannic wines of all the crus and can last up to 10 years depending on the vintage. Many will have a clear tendency to become Pinot-like. Locals call this pinotent. (Pinoter)

104
Q

Which is the second-largest Beaujolais Cru?

A

Morgon AOC (1936)

After Brouilly AOC.

105
Q

What are the characteristics of Morgon AOC wines?

A

Distinct ripe cherry fruit; in warm years it is expressed as cherry jam or Kirsch.

With age, they pick up earthy notes of forest floor (sous bois) very reminiscent of Pinot Noir.

106
Q

What soils are found in Morgon AOC?

A

Decomposed schist soils referred to as “rotted rocks” or roches pourries.

The strong cherry notes of the wines are attributed to these soils.

107
Q

What is morgonner?

A

The term used by the locals in Morgon AOC to describe the transformation from aroma to bouquet in their wines.

108
Q

Which is Beaujolais’ most famous lieu-dit?

A

Cote du Py, located within Morgon AOC.

It is located on decomposed schist soils or locally termed roches pourries (rotted rocks).

109
Q

What is Coteaux du Lyonnais AOC?

A

This small appellation was aligned with Beaujolais, but became a separate entity in 1938. It is located directly south of Beaujolais and north of the Northern Rhone. The west side is delimited by the Monts du Lyonnais which form a semi-circle around the city of Lyon.
The climate is similar to Beaujolais but with more Mediterranean influence
Whites are mostly Chardonnay.
Reds/roses are largely Gamay.

French Wine Scholar (34 decks)

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