Beaujolais Flashcards
What were the 5 subregions of Grande Bourgogne pre-French Revolution?
- Chablis
- Côte d’Or
- Chalonnaise
- Máconnais
- Beaujolais
What happened after the French Revolution?
France divided into
1. regions
2. départements
Where does Beuajolais sit in the départements?
Divided between.
1. Saône et Loire
2. Rhône-Alpes
Do wine regions correspond with administrative boundaries?
No
eg Beaujolais split between Loire and Rhône départements
What are the 2 organizations that promote Bourgogne and Beaujolais?
- BIVB - Burea Interprofessionnel de Vins be Bourgogne
- Inter Beaujolais
Operate independently
Can Beaujolais grapes be used in regional Bourgogne AOC?
Certain communities in Beaujolais are allowed except for Bourgogne Aligoté (phased out in 2035)
How and when did Beaujolais set itself apart?
Carbonic maceration
1950s
Who created carbonic maceration?
Jules Chauver
Why did Jules Chauver invent carbonic maceration?
Wanted to make it easy to identify color.
When was the peak for Beaujolais Nouveau?
1999
Who invented the INAO / ISO glass for tasting?
Jule Chauver (carbonic maceration fame)
Who is the father of natural wines?
Jules Chauver (carbonic maceration fame)
When was Beaujolais Nouveau (carbonic maceration) 1st introduced?
1951
Where is Beaujolais experimental station for Gamay?
Château de l’Éclair
-Has over 1000 Gamay variants
How many soil variations in Beaujolais?
over 300
What type of wine has gained in popularity in Beaujolais?
Rosé increasing 35% since 2015
Who 1st planted vineyards?
The Romans
Who was named for Mont Brouilly?
Roman Brulius
What Beaujolais Crus is named after Cesar?
Juliénas
What is vin primeur?
Lyonnais tradition to celebrate end of harvest season by drinking Beaujolais
Why is Gamay suits for Beaujolais Nouveau?
Soft fruitiness and low tannins
What is UIVB?
Founded 1951
Union Interprofessionals des Vin Beaujolais
-Sets date Nov 15 for Beaujolais Nouveau 1951
Who changed the original date of primeur and what year?
1985
INAO - Institute National des Appellations d’Origine
When is release date for Beaujolais Nouveau?
3rd Thursday in November
Why is the 3rd Thursday in November release of Beaujolais Nouveau important?
Corresponds with Thanksgiving for marketing
How long and wide is Beaujolais?
Long: 34mile / 55km
Wide: 7-9 miles / 11-14km
What borders Beaujolais?
N - Mâconnais
S - Lyon
W - Monts du Beaujolais
E - Saône River
Beaujolais Climate?
- Semi-Continental
- Rain Shadow from Monts du Beaujolais
- Saône River regulates
- Mediterranean brings warmth
What is a challenge to Gamay for growing and how to mitigate?
Susceptible to Gray Rot
Canopy management important to reduce humidity
Beaujolais Hazards?
- Spring Frost
- Autumn rain
Where does Beaujolais geology rest?
Massif Central
Soils of Beaujolais
Old Soils
1. Clay limestone
2. Schist
3. Granite
4. Sand
5. arène & gorrhe
4. Limestone - Pierres Dorées (Golden stones) yellow limestone
What is arène / gorrhe?
Sandy soils of weather feldspars, mica, quartz & other
Where are best vineyards?
NW - On Steep granite outcrops of Monts du Beaujolais
Where the Crus are.
SE sun exposure
What ripens earlier Beaujolais Crus in the North or Beaujolais in the South?
Beaujolais Crus - better sun exposure southern facing.
Where are Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages located?
In the south
Gentle slopes
Primary white grape of Beaujolais and percentage?
Chardonnay
2%
Primary red grape of Beaujolais and percentage?
Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc
98%
Main training?
- Gobelet (once mandatory)
- Cordon
- Éventail (spur prunning)
- Guyot only white/reds for lower AOCs not Crus
Why is Guyot not permitted for crus?
Higher yielding fruit = more yield
Only allowed for R/W Beaujolais and White Beaujolais Villages
The finest wines of Beaujolais are produced in the northern part of the region. What is the dominant soil type there?
Granite
What is the overall climate of Beaujolais?
Semi-continental
When did the Romans conquer Gaul?
52BCE under Cesar