Beaujolais

Question 1

When will Bourgogne Aligote no longer accept fruit from Beaujolais?

Answer 1

2035

Question 2

Who championed the use of carbonic maceration in the 1950s?

Answer 2

Jules Chauvet

Question 3

What else is Jules Chauvet known for accomplishing?

Answer 3

Developing the INAO tasting glass
Father of the natural wine movement

Question 4

When was Beaujolais Nouveau first commercialized?

Answer 4

1951

Question 5

How did Beaujolais’ UNESCO Global Geopark designation in 2018 impact the styles of wine crafted in the region?

Answer 5

An extensive soil assessment revealing 300 soil variations within the vineyards resulted in the designation. Now producers are crafting special cuvees to capitalize on the geo-analysis of their terroir

Question 6

What are some of the popular vinification techniques for red and rose wines?

Answer 6

(Semi) Carbonic Maceration, traditional Burgundian fermentation techniques for red production
Direct press/saignee for rose production

Question 7

What two French cities are responsible for launching Beaujolais’ popularity?

Answer 7

Lyon (non-local products were taxed heavily so they opted to drink locally produced wine)

Paris (adopted the Lyonnais tradition of celebrating end of harvest by drinking vin primeur)

Question 8

What was the original release date of Beaujolais Nouveau (set in 1951) and what did it change to in 1985?

Answer 8

November 15th

3rd Thursday of November

Question 9

What is the climate of Beaujolais?

Answer 9

Semi-continental

Question 10

What mountain is to the W of Beaujolais and what river lies to the E of Beaujolais?

Answer 10

Monts du Beaujolais; Saone River

Question 11

What are the 3 climatic influences of Beaujolais?

Answer 11

Monts du Beaujolais –> rain shadow effect and blocks cold westerly winds

Saone River –> regulates temperature extremes

Mediterranean influence –> creates a semi-continental climate

Question 12

What are the two main vineyard hazards?

Answer 12

Spring frost and autumn rain

Question 13

Is Gamay susceptible to gray or black rot?

Answer 13

Gray rot

Question 14

Describe the soils of Northern Beaujolais

Answer 14

Granitic soils with schist and sand (arene or gorrhe)

Question 15

Describe the soils of Southern Beaujolais

Answer 15

Clayey Limestone (similar to Maconnais)

Question 16

What is the name of the broken yellow limestone found in Southern Beaujolais?

Answer 16

Pierres Dorees (Golden stones)

Question 17

Where are the crus located?

Answer 17

N. Beaujolais on the steep granitic outcrops of the Monts du Beaujolais

Question 18

What aspect are the slopes of N. Beaujolais and how does it impact grape ripening?

Answer 18

SE; maximizes sunlight exposure and hastens ripening

Question 19

What are the primary and secondary white grapes grown in Beaujolais?

Answer 19

(P) Chardonnay (2% of plantings)
(S) Aligote and Melon de Bourgogne

Question 20

What is the gris grape variety grown in Beaujolais?

Answer 20

Pinot Gris

Question 21

What are the primary and secondary red grapes grown in Beaujolais?

Answer 21

(P) Gamay Noir (98% of plantings)
(S) Pinot Noir

Question 22

What pruning and training systems are permitted in the Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Cru AOCs?

Answer 22

Gobelet (main)
Eventail and Cordon (alternatives)

Question 23

Where is Guyot pruning/training permitted?

Answer 23

Red and white Beaujolais AOC and white Beaujolais Villages as it typically results in higher yields

Question 24

Is mechanical harvesting permitted in Beaujolais?

Answer 24

Yes, but not commonly used because of the hilly topography. It is not permitted for Beaujolais Nouveau production

Question 25

What is Terra Vitis?

Answer 25

Sustainable vine-growing certification specific to Beaujolais grape growers

Question 26

Beaujolais produces a sparkling sweet rose wine made by methode ancestrale. Are these wines bottled as Beaujolais?

Answer 26

No, Vin de France

Question 27

What geographical feature divides N and S Beaujolais?

Answer 27

Nizerand River

Question 28

How many AOCs does Beaujolais have?

Answer 28

12 - Beaujolais AOC, Beaujolais Villages AOC, and 10 Beaujolais Cru AOCs

Question 29

Beaujolais AOC Wine Styles: Grape Varieties:

Answer 29

Dry Red, White, and Rose White (typically unoaked): (P) Chardonnay, (S) Aligote, Melon Rose: (S) Pinot Gris Red (typically grapey with light tannin, light pigment, and bright acidity): (P) Gamay, (S) Pinot Noir

Question 30

Are red and rose Beaujolais 100% Gamay?

Answer 30

Typically yes, but up to 15% of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligote, Pinot Gris, and Melon are permitted

Question 31

What two things are required for a Beaujolais wine to be labeled as "superieur"?

Answer 31

Higher alcohol and lower yields

Question 32

How many villages are in the Beaujolais AOC and how many can append their name to the word "Beaujolais" on the label?

Answer 32

96 total villages; 30 can append their names (but rarely do so)

Question 33

How many villages qualify for Beaujolais Village AOC?

Answer 33

38

Question 34

How does the granitic soils of the Beaujolais Village AOC impact the wine styles produced?

Answer 34

More densely pigmented, deeper berry fruit, higher minerality

Question 35

Does Beaujolais Nouveau have its own AOC?

Answer 35

No

Question 36

What are the two requirements for Beaujolais Nouveau production?

Answer 36

Hand harvesting, semi-carbonic maceration

Question 37

Beaujolais crus represent about ___% of Beaujolais' production.

Answer 37

40%

Question 38

What is the most famous lieux-dit in Beajolais and which AOC is it located in?

Answer 38

Cote du Py; Morgon AOC

Question 39

Which Beaujolais Crus are known for producing soft and light styled wines?

Answer 39

Fleurie, Saint Amour, Chiroubles

Question 40

Which Beaujolais Crus are known for producing medium-bodied wines?

Answer 40

Julienas, Regnie, Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly

Question 41

Which Beaujolais Crus are known for producing powerful and generous wines with significant aging potential?

Answer 41

Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Chenas

Question 42

Saint-Amour is the ________ cru and it's name translates to ____________.

Answer 42

Northernmost; "Saint Love"

Question 43

Which cru is considered to be the "Queen of Beaujolais"?

Answer 43

Fleurie

Question 44

Which cru produces "benchmark" Beaujolais wines?

Answer 44

Chiroubles

Question 45

Why does harvest in Chiroubles happen later than the other crus?

Answer 45

Highest altitude, coolest site of all the crus

Question 46

What is the newest Beaujolais cru?

Answer 46

Regnie

Question 47

How does the sandy soils of Regnie AOC impact the wine style?

Answer 47

More aromatic wines that are quick to mature

Question 48

How does volcanic element (diorite) impact the wines of Cote de Brouilly?

Answer 48

Adds a unique hint of pepper

Question 49

Which is the largest Beaujolais Cru?

Answer 49

Brouilly

Question 50

Which is the smallest Beaujolais Cru?

Answer 50

Chenas

Question 51

Describe the wines of Chenas?

Answer 51

Concentrated and require bottle age to reach full potential. Wines can have a hint of wood even if there has been no barrel use in production

Question 52

Which Beaujolais Cru is considered to be the "King of Beaujolais" and why?

Answer 52

Moulin-a-Vent; most full bodied and tannic wines

Question 53

Define the terms "pinoter" and "pinotent"

Answer 53

When wines become more Pinot-like with age

Question 54

Describe a typical Morgon AOC wine

Answer 54

Ripe cherry fruit that is more jam or Kirsch like in warm years. with age, the wines pick up earthy notes of forest floor similar to Pinot Noir

Question 55

Define the term "morgonner"

Answer 55

A local term in Morgon that describes how their wines evolve with age

Question 56

Those in Morgon attribute the strong cherry note of their wines to this component of their terroir

Answer 56

Decomposed schist aka rotted rocks or "roches pourries"

Question 57

How does the climate of Coteaux du Lyonnais AOC differ from Beaujolais?

Answer 57

More Mediterranean influence