Beaujolais Flashcards
Which are the two inter-professional organisations that promote Beaujolais
1 Bureau Interprofessional des Vins de Bourgogne (BIVB)
2 Inter- Beaujolais
What rule will change in 2035
Burgundy Aligote will no longer accept grapes from Beaujolais
Which winemaking technique is Beaujolais known for
Carbonic Maceration
Who was Jules Chauvet?
1950s
4th generation Beaujolais native
Research chemist
Experimented to find more flavours=> carbonic maceration
INAO tasting glass
Taster
Father of natural wine movement
= winemaking without added sulphur
Describe the characteristics of Beaujolais Nouveau
First commercialised in 1951
Peak of popularity in 1999
vin primeur
Released third Thursday of every month (Thanksgiving weekend)
It’s made using the process of ‘carbonic maceration’ and bottled a mere 6 – 8 weeks after harvest. This method produces a wine that is very low in tannin with high acidity. Look for lush, juicy aromas of grape, light raspberry, cranberry, candied fruits (bon-bon), fig, banana, and even bubblegum
Beaujolais Nouveau OCW
In the 1970s and 1980s the region became too dependent on selling embryonic primeur wine, so-called Beaujolais Nouveau. When demand for Beaujolais Nouveau reached its peak, in 1992, nearly half of all Beaujolais AC was sold in this youthful state, for immediate consumption and, from the point of view of the producer, as an immediate generator of cash flow. But producers paid the price of much-reduced demand for their wine in the late 1990s and early 2000s when they had to resort to compulsory distillation.
Carbonic Maceration OCW
Red winemaking process which transforms a small amount of sugar in grapes which are uncrushed to ethanol, without the intervention of yeasts. It is used typically to produce light-bodied, brightly coloured, fruity red wines for early consumption, most famously but by no means exclusively in the Beaujolais region of France.
Carbonic maceration is not normally used with white grapes, as undesirable flavours are formed. When used to make red wines, whole bunches of grapes are deliberately placed, with care to ensure that the berries are not broken, in an anaerobic atmosphere, generally obtained by using carbon dioxide to exclude oxygen. An intracellular fermentation takes place within the intact berry and a small amount of ethanol is formed, along with traces of many flavourful aromatic compounds. All of these contribute to the distinctive aroma and flavour of the resultant wines. The maceration period in this anaerobic environment and phase, where these aromatic compounds are produced, depends on temperature, and can be from one to three weeks.
Which is the famous red grape of Beaujolais
Gamay
Collection of 1,000 variant clones
Which are the 5 stages of viticultural history of Beaujolais
1 Romans=grapes, Broullius
2 Middle Ages=Benedictine monks
3 18c=Expansion of Lyon, taxed on wines from outside region
4 19c = Railways and exports to Paris
5 1950’s=Beaujolais Nouveau
Location of Beaujolais
North=Maconnias
South=Lyon
West=Monts de Beaujolais
East=Saone river
55km x 11km
General climate of Beaujolais
4 seasons
Summers warm and dry
Winters cold
Rainfall average 740mm
Which 2 French cities were instrumental in launching Beaujolais’ popularity
Lyon and Paris
What are the three main climatic influences of Beaujolais
1 Monts de Beaujolais which shelter vines from cold winds and rain (shadow)
2 Rivers to East regulate temperature extremes
3 Proximity to Med creates extra warmth
What are the weather hazards in Beaujolais
1 Spring frost
2 Autumn rain
3 Grey rot in cool/humid conditions
What are the major soil types of Beaujolais and where are they located?
North Beaujolias=Granite (and schist)
plus sandy soils arene/gorrhe
South Beaujolais=Pierres Dorees (Golden Stones of limestone and iron-oxide)
Where are the best vineyard sites located
Steep granite outcrops of Monts du Beaujolais in NW
What altitude are the vineyards
200-300m
Are the vineyards located on the banks of the Saone?
No, this area is too fertile for the grapes
Where is the UNESCO global geopark
Beaujolais region for rich and complex geology.
It is renowned worldwide for its wines and the territory benefits from an exceptional geological diversity that has been shaped over nearly 500 million years. (….) Mont Brouilly is one of the most emblematic sites of the Beaujolais UNESCO Global Geopark. Rising in the heart of the wine-growing coast, Mont Brouilly is witness to the long and tumultuous geological history of Beaujolais. This geosite offers spectacular panoramas and a sustainable layout to discover its geology, history and legends, the vineyards and forests of Beaujolais
What are the primary red grapes of Beaujolais?
Gamay Noir
98% plantings
Prefers granite
Many old vines
Also Pinot Noir
Describe Gamay (OCW)
Gamay Noir, ancient Burgundian red grape variety solely responsible for the distinctive, evolving and unfairly unfashionable wines of beaujolais. Galet cites 30 different Gamays, many quite unrelated to the Beaujolais archetype, many of them particular clonal selections of it, and many more of them red-fleshed teinturiers once widely used to add colour to vapid blends. Red-fleshed versions can still be found, particularly in Mâconnais and Touraine, and France grew almost 200 ha/500 acres of Gamay Teinturier de Bouze in 2011. The ‘real’ Gamay is officially known as Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc to draw attention to its noble pale flesh, and is a natural offspring of Pinot and Gouais Blanc (see pinot).
The introduction of Gamay to the vineyards of the côte d’or in the late 14th century was viewed as scandalous by those whose livelihood did not personally depend on rearing productive vines, and great efforts were made to retain pinot noir at the expense of the less noble newcomer.
The vine is a precocious one, budding, flowering, and ripening early, which makes it prone to spring frosts but means that it can flourish in regions as cool as much of the Loire. It can easily produce too generously and the traditional gobelet method of training is designed to match this aptitude to the granitic soils of the better Beaujolais vineyards.
Although today an increasing proportion of Beaujolais, particularly from the crus, is vinified like red burgundy with full barrel maturation and is expected to age for several years in bottle, Gamay juice for long tended to be vinified in a hurry, not least because of strong market pressure in the 1970s and 1980s for Beaujolais nouveau. As a wine, Gamay tends to be paler and bluer than most other reds, with relatively high acidity and a simple but vivacious aroma of freshly picked red fruits, often overlaid by the less subtle smells associated with rapid, anaerated fermentation such as bananas, boiled sweets, and acetone in the Nouveau era. In Mâconnais and Switzerland, it is often blended with Pinot Noir, endowing the nobler grape with some precocity, but often blurring the very distinct attributes of each.
Gamay and Beaujolais are entirely interdependent. Few wine regions are so determinedly monocépagiste as Beaujolais; in 2011 all but 400 ha of the Rhône département’s nearly 17,548 ha/43,343 acres of vines were Gamay Noir. Vinification techniques vary but most common is a local variant on carbonic maceration.
What are the primary white grapes in Beaujolais
Just Chardonnay
(only 2% plantings)
Increasing with Cremant de Bourgogne
What are the primary grapes for rose wine in Beaujolais
Mainly Gamay but could have upto 15% secondary grapes in a field blend incl Pinot Gris
Which are Beaujolais’ dominant pruning and VTS
Gobelet for Beaujolais Cru and Villages
(dominant and previously mandatory)
Cordon (I or II), Evenetail (spur) = authorised
Guyot only permitted for Red and White Beaujolais and white Villages
Is harvest mechanised in Beaujolais?
Not often because of hilly terrain and disallowed for Beaujolais Nouveau
What is Terra Vitis
Vine growing certification with exacting standards
Initiated in Beaujolais
More than 700 growers
Which are the 2 main vinification styles in Gamay
1 Semi-carbonic maceration as for Beaujolais Nouveau. May be some aging
2 Burgundy method (destemmed, crushed, yeast fermentation and aging)
Cru AOCs and sometimes Villages
Which (non-red) styles are becoming more popular
Dry White (trad vinification)
Crémant de Bourgogne - uses Chardonnay grapes from Beaujolais and Pinot Noir, Gamay
Rose - including Beaujolais Nouveau rosé
Sparkling sweet rose - not AOC sanctioned in Beaujolais
Describe a typical Beaujolais Nouveau
A light red wine made with Gamay Noir grapes.
Fruit flavors: Raspberry, Tart Cherry, Cranberry
Other flavors: Mushroom, Forest Floor, Smoke, Violet, Baker’s Yeast, Banana, Bubblegum
Acidity: High
Tannin: Low
Alcohol: 10-13% ABV
Serving Temp: Slightly chilled at 54-58 °F (12-14 °C)
What is the role of the Nizerland River
Divides Beaujolais into two sections - North and South, with different soils on each side.
Mostly granite and schist (decomposed rock) to the North and clay-based soils (marl) to the South.
All of the Beaujolais Cru vineyards and Beaujolais Villages are located on the Northern side of Nizerland
Which is most Northerly - Beaujolais AOC or Beaujolais Villages AOC
Beaujolais Villages AOC
What are the primary grapes and wine style of Beaujolais AOC
Dry red from Gamay
Up to 15% can be Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote Pinot Gris or Melon but normally has none
What is red Beaujolais Superieur
Higher alcohol and lower yields
Describe a Beaujolais AOC
Red=Fresh, over-grapey, light pigment, tannins and bright acidity
White=unoaked Chardonnay
What fraction of Beaujolais Nouveau is from Beaujolais AOC?
2/3rds
Beaujolais Nouveau follows the same blending formulas, yields and min alcohol as the AOC they are from. True or False
True
What are the primary grapes and wine style of Beaujolais Villages AOC
As Beaujolais AOC
Dry red from Gamay
Up to 15% can be Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote Pinot Gris or Melon but normally has none
How does Beaujolais Villages AOC red differ from Beaujolais AOC?
Better sites because of soils
=>More densely pigmented
Less grapiness
Deeper berry fruit
Core of minerality
= from the granite
How many villages in Beaujolais Villages AOC
38
…of potential 96
What distinguishes a Beaujolais Cru from Beaujolais/Villages?
More structured fruit
More old vines
Longer skin contact in aging
Traditional yeast fermentation
Always hand harvested
What % of Beaujolais production is represented by the Crus
40%
What a lieux-dits
Specific vineyard parcels in the crus with a reputation for high quality wines
What is a well-known lieux-dit
Cote du Py in Morgon AOC
Wants to be a climat
Name the 10 Crus (North to South)
Saint Amour
Julienas
Chenas
Moulin a Vent
Fleurie
Chiroubles
Morgon
Regnie
Cote de Brouilly
Brouilly
What are the primary points to remember about Saint Amour AOC?
Border of Maconnais
Promoted around St Valentines
Soft
What are the primary points to remember about Julienas AOC?
Diverse soils
Medium bodied
What are the primary points to remember about Chenas AOC?
One of earliest
Smallest cru
Oak tree
Need aging
Bouquet of flowers in a velvet basket
Full bodied
What are the primary points to remember about Moulin a Vent AOC?
One of earliest
Windmill
King of Beaujolais
Most full bodied
Pinoter wines
What are the primary points to remember about Fleurie AOC?
One of earliest
Floral
Queen of Beaujolais
Sweet spice
Soft
What are the primary points to remember about Chiroubles AOC?
One of the earliest
Benchmark Beaujolais
Steep and cool
Highest
Soft and light style
What are the primary points to remember about Morgon AOC?
One of the earliest
second largest cru
Ripe cherry fruit
Schist and Roches Pourries (pitted rocks)
Cote du Py
Age to Morgonner style
Full body
What are the primary points to remember about Regnie AOC?
Newest Cru
Higher % of sandy soil
Aromatic wines
Quick to mature
med body
What are the primary points to remember about Cote de Brouilly AOC?
Slopes of Mount Brouilly (UNESCO)
Volcanic element to soil= pepper
Med body
What are the primary points to remember about Brouilly AOC?
Named after Mt Brouilly
Southernmost
Largest
Some volvanic elelment in soil
Med body
St Amour AOC OCW
St-Amour — the most northerly of the beaujolais crus and an area with some limestone in which a considerable amount of white Beaujolais Blanc (and st-véran) is made. A steady 320 ha/790 acres of Gamay vines are planted for the production of relatively light but true red Beaujolais. The cru was added several years after most others. One theory is that its name, which indubitably adds to its appeal, comes from a Roman soldier who celebrated a narrow escape from death in Switzerland by converting to Christianity and establishing a mission. He was later canonized as St-Amour. There are other, earthier theories, as one would expect of Beaujolais, perhaps the earthiest of all wine regions.
Moulin a Vent AOC OCW
. The area includes delimited vineyards within Chénas and Romanèche-Thorins. Of all the wine produced in the Beaujolais region, Moulin-à-Vent, or at least the wines grown on the slopes closest to the windmill itself, is expected to last the longest, taste most concentrated, and therefore, in a way, to be the least typical. With time, the wines begin to taste more like old Pinot Noir than Gamay, and some 50-year-old Moulin-à-Vent can be quite a satisfying drink, even if an atypical Beaujolais. It has also generally been the most expensive.
Fleurie AOC OCW
Fleurie, one of the ten beaujolais crus, and surely the appellation with the prettiest name in France, comprised 822 ha/2,030 acres of vines in 2012. It has a particularly efficacious co-operative, and produces wines which, it is easy to believe, have a particularly floral perfume. Partly because of its name perhaps, Fleurie is one of the most expensive Beaujolais. Soils vary from sandy in the south west where the lightest wines are grown, to clay towards moulin-à-vent in the west where wines can be quite meaty and full bodied.
Morgon AOC OCW
important beaujolais cru which encompasses about 1,100 ha/2,717 acres of vines around the commune of Villié-Morgon. The wines produced are considered notably denser and longer lived than most Cru Beaujolais and the appellation has even been used as a verb, as in describing the process by which a young Beaujolais becomes more like a Pinot Noir-dominated red burgundy with time in bottle: il morgonne. Soils here are more weathered and the total ripeness is likely to be greater than in most crus, although some consider that only the wines made on the ex-volcanic cone known as Côte de Py just south of Villié-Morgon have the real depth traditionally associated with Morgon.
How much planting is of Gamay
98%
Which type of soil does Gamay prefer
Granite - but is adaptable
Which is the supplementary red grape of Beaujolais
Pinot Noir
Which is the primary white grape and how much planting is devoted to it
Chardonnay =2%
Which are the 3 minor white/grey grapes of Beaujolais
Aligote, Melon and Pinot Gris
The finest wines of Beaujolais are produced in the northern part of the region. What is the dominant soil type there?
Clayey Limestone
Chalk
Granite
Gravel
Granite
What is the overall climate of Beaujolais?
Continental
Semi-continental
Mediterranean
Maritime
Semi-continental
Which names in Beaujolias are reminders of the Romans
Julianas, Fleurie and Brouilly
How many Gamay clones in Chateau d’Eclair
1000
How many different soil variations in Beaujolais
300 according to survey of 2009
Which of these cities were especially important in boosting the popularity of Beaujolais? Select all that apply.
Dijon
Lyon
Berlin
Paris
New York
Paris and Lyon
What is the official release date for Beaujolais Nouveau?
November 15th
The fourth Thursday in November
The third Thursday in November
November 5th
Third Thursday in November
Describe the soils in the south of Beaujolais
Clay and Limestone
Pierres Dorees
Describe the soils of the North of Beaujolais
Granite and Schist with sandy topsoil
Arene and Gorrhe
What are the 4 vine training mthods of Beaujolais
Gobelot (spur)
Cordon (spur)
Eventail (spur)
Guyot (cane)
Guyot only authorised for Beaujolias AOC and white Beaujolais Villages
When can you not use machine harvesting
Beaujolais Nouveau
(because you need whole bunches)
Crus
(High quality wines would normally hand harvest)
What methods are used for rose production in Beaujolais
Direct press and saignee
Which markets are important for Rose Beaujolais
Japan, France, UK
Describe a Sparkling red from Beaujolais
Gamay
Sweet
Methode Ancestrale
No AOC => Vin de France
What is the sustainable vine-growing certification created in Beaujolais in 1998
Terra Vitis
Beaujolais grape growers
Now 700 members in France
Which river divides northern Beaujolais from southern Beaujolais?
Saône
Loire
Azergues
Nizerand
Nizerand
The majority of wines dry white Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages wines are aged in oak.
True or False?
False
How many villages are covered in Bourgogne AOC
96
What % of production is Beaujolais AOC
60%
What can be appeneded to the Beaujolais AOC name
Village (30 of these villages)
Superieur (more alcohol and lower yields)
How many villages are included in the Beaujolais Village AOC
38
How much production is from the Beaujolais Crus
40%
What grape is Beaujolais Blanc made from
100% Chardonnay
What % of production is Nouveau
20% 0r 22 million bottles
Which Cru has rotted rocks
Morgon
Roches Pourries
Where is Cote du Py
Morgon
Famous lieu-dit
What gives Cote de Brouilly wines a spicy peppery quality
Volcanic diorite
Which is the largest of the crus by size and by production and the smallest by size
Broilly (by size and production)
closely follwed by Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-a-Vent
Chenas is the smallest
What is the small AOC south of Beaujolais where whites are mostly Chardonnay and red/roses are mostly Gamay
Coteaux du Lyonnais
How many Beaujolais Crus are there?
8
10
12
15
10
Which Beaujolais Cru has the highest elevation and the coolest conditions?
Juliénas
Côte de Brouilly
Chiroubles
Régnié
Chiroubles
If semi-carbonic maceration gives the wines those vivid Beaujolais aromas –
why is the time in vat for Beaujolais Nouveau so short?
Beaujolais Nouveau spends very little time in tank in order to retain those fresh bright, bold aromas.
Keeping the grapes in tank for longer will result in richer and more tannic wine. That wine cannot be released and drunk young.
What is another name for an enzymatic intra-berry fermentation initiated by carbon dioxide pressure
Semi-carbonic maceration
Semi-carbonic maceration blends the free-run juice with pressed juice. Which has undergone carbonic maceration?
Pressed juice
Where are the grapes for Beaujolais AOC mostly grown?
Southern Beaujolais
Northern Beaujolais
Southeren Beaujolais
Which mountains protect northern Beaujolais from cold west winds?
Monts du Beaujolais
Western Alps
Vosges
Jura Mountains
Monts du Beaujolais
How many AOCs are there in Beaujolais?
10
12
14
22
12
Which river flows southwards along the eastern edge of Beaujolais?
Loire
Saône
Rhône
Serein
Saone
The Gamay grape is especially susceptible to Black Rot.
True or False?
False - Gamay is susceptible to Grey Rot
What is the principal soil type of southern Beaujolais?
Granite
Schist
Clay and Limestone
Sandstone
Clay and Limestone
Which statement is incorrect about Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages Nouveau?
Grapes must be hand harvested.
Wine is made by semi-carbonic maceration.
Wines may be white, rosé or red.
Wines may be also labeled “primeur”.
Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages Nouveau can only be red or rosé wines.
Which training methods can be used for the Beaujolais Cru AOCs? Select all that apply.
Scott Henry
Chablis
Cordon
Gobelet
Guyot
Éventail
Trellis
Cordon, Gobelet, Eventail
Guyot used for Beaujolais AOC
Which AOC is used for white and rosé sparkling wines produced in Beaujolais by the Traditional Method?
Crémant de Beaujolais
Beaujolais Mousseux
Crémant de Bourgogne
Vin de France
Pétillant Naturel
Vin Mousseux
Cremant de Bourgogne
The crus of Beaujolais are AOCs for red wines only.
True or False?
True
White wines – made from 100% Chardonnay – can only be labelled Beaujolais Blanc AOC and Beaujolais Villages AOC
Which cru are the King and Queen of Beaujolais
Moulin-a-Vent (King)
Fleurie (Queen)
Which three crus are as regarded as having the greatest aging potential?
Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Morgon
In which Beaujolais Cru would you find the Lieu-Dit of Côte de Py?
Fleurie
Côte de Brouilly
Morgon
Chénas
Juliénas
Moulin-à-Vent
Morgon
The best cru slopes generally enjoy which aspect?
East
South East
South
South West
South-East
Which pruning system is only permitted to be used for red and white Beaujolais AOC and white Beaujolais Villages AOC wines?
Gobelet
Cordon
Éventail
Guyot
Guyot
leaves a higher number of fruiting buds and generate higher yields – so it not allowed for the more concentrated and prestigious red wines of Beaujolais Villages and the crus.
In which year will Aligoté grapes grown in Beaujolais no longer be accepted for Bourgogne Aligoté wines?
2025
2030
2035
2040
2035
Which appellation is used for red and rosé sparkling Gamay wines produced in Beaujolais by the méthode ancestrale?
Vin de France
How many villages are entitled to produce Beaujolais Villages AOC wines?
28
38
48
58
38
Beaujolais is to the North of which French city
Lyon
What is the official Beaujolais Nouveau release date each year?
Third thursday in November
In Beaujolais, what are weathered feldspars, micas, quartz and other minerals known as?
Arene and Gorrhe
What is the primary white grape of Beaujolais?
Chardonnay
What is the primary red grape of Beaujolais
Gamay
Which French term is synonymous with Nouveau
Primeur
Which Bourgogne sub-region is directly north of Beaujolais?
Maconnais
Which river separates northern and southern Beaujolais?
Nizerand
Why is the Guyot training method not permitted for the Beaujolais Crus?
Yields too high
Which important figure first championed the use of carbonic maceration?
Jules Chauvet
Grapes destined for Beaujolais Cru wines must be hand harvested.
True or False?
True
What are the Pierres Dorées?
Golden stone of Southern Beaujolais
White Beaujolais typically spends 12 months in oak.
True or False?
False
Which Cru produces the most full-bodied and tannic wines?
Moulin-a-Vent
Which Cru has the highest elevation and coolest climate?
Chiroubles
Which compound gives the Pierres Dorées their distinctive color?
Iron-oxide
What are the parents of Gamay
Pinot and Gouais Blanc
