Beaujolais Flashcards
Learn the geography, grape varieties, climate, soil, wine styles, producers, and production methods of Beaujolais.
What is the climate of Beaujolais?
Continental
Beaujolais overlaps the southern part of which other subregion in Burgundy?
The very northern part of Beaujolais overlaps a bit of the southernmost portion of the Mâconnais.
What is the red grape grown in Beaujolais?
Gamay
What is the traditional training method in Beaujolais?
Gobelet (aka Bush vine)
In what type of soils are the best red wines in Beaujolais grown?
Granitic soils that are nutrient deficient.
What is carbonic maceration?
Carbonic maceration is a winemaking technique used for red wine production that extracts intense color and fruit flavors but little tannin.
- Whole clusters of Gamay are put into tanks, carbon dioxide is pumped into the tank and the tank is sealed, creating an anaerobic environment;
- Due to the absence of oxygen the berries undergo an intracellular fermentation (without the help of yeasts). In this anaerobic environment some tannin and lots of color are transferred to the flesh from the skins while the grapes are building up carbon dioxide, which then force them to burst;
- Once carbonic maceration has completed (7-10 days) the winemaker pumps both the free run and pressed juice from the skins into another vessel to allow yeasts to finish primary fermentation, rendering the wine dry and very fruity.
What are some of the flavors derived from carbonic maceration?
- Bubble gum
- Banana
- Kirsch
- Cinnamon
- Gum drops
- Red licorice
Is Beaujolais Nouveau produced via carbonic maceration or traditional methods?
Most Beaujolais Nouveau is produced using carbonic maceration.
Beaujolais Nouveau is intentionally made for early drinking.
When can Beaujolais Nouveau be released?
Beaujolais Nouveau can be released on the third Thursday of November the same year of harvest.
Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be sold after ____ the year after harvest.
August 31
How are the soils different from northern Beaujolais to southern Beaujolais?
Northern Beaujolais has more granite and schist soils, and the northern landscape has more rolling hills than the south.
Southern Beaujolais is on an alluvial plain with sandy soils, and the earth here is flatter than in the north.
Will one find more white wine or more red wine from Beaujolais?
Red wine
Gamay is king in Beaujolais but there can be some Chardonnay found on limestone outcroppings; Chardonnay from Beaujolais is sold as Beaujolais Blanc.
What is the hierarchy of quality wines in Beaujolais?
From highest to lowest:
- Crus of Beaujolais
- Beaujolais-Villages
- Beaujolais
How many Crus are there in Beaujolais, and which 4 do you need to know for the exam?
10 Crus
Know:
1. Moulin-à-Vent
1. Fleurie
1. Morgon
1. Brouilly
These 4 Crus of Beaujolais have the greatest production
Which Crus of Beaujolais offer wines with the most structure and concentration?
- Morgon
- Moulin-à-Vent