Beaujolais Flashcards
what dominates wine production in Beaujolais?
red wines made from Gamay
what is the range of styles in Beaujolais?
light and fruity and best consumed young to those that can develop complexity in the bottle
why does Gamay work in beaujolais
climate is suited for the early budding and ripening
what happens to Gamay if not managed
it produce high yields and lower quality wines
where are the best wines from Beaujolais made>
in granite soils that have low levels of nutrients
what is the traditional method of pruning in Beaujolais?
gobelet - where vines are pruned to spurs around the head and the shoots are tied together to hold them vertically. however more producers are starting to train them to wires to allow for mechanisation
describe a Gamay characteristic
fragrant wine with aromas of raspberries and cherry. rarely have more than med tannins and med body. the lightest ones can even be served chilled
what is the hierarchy of the Beaujolais appellation ?
regional appellation of Beaujolais at the bottom, then Beaujolais Villages, and at the top at the individual appellations of the Beaujolais crus.
where is beaujolais produced?
to the east and south of the region where there are alluvial plain of the River Saone
how is Beaujolais typically produced?
semi carbonic maceration and carbonic maceration
What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
wine that is specially made for early drinking. very light in body and tannin with red berry fruit and often notes of banana, kirsch, and cinnamon like spice from carbonic maceration.
when can Beaujolais Nouveau be released?
the 3rd thursday of November following the harvesting and cannot be sold after Aug 31 the following year.
what can Beaujolais Nouveau be labelled?
only beaujolais or beaujolais villages
where are vineyards planted to the north and west of Beaujolais?
on a series of rolling hills with granite soils.
How many villages can call themselves Beaujolais Villages
39
do village names appear on the label of Beaujolais Village wines?
rarely
what varietal is Beaujolais made from?
typically made of a blend but mostly Gamay
how many villages are entitled to their own appellation called Beaujolais crus?
10
name four villages with the greatest production in Beaujolais grand crus
Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-a-Vent.
which villages produce the most structured wines in beaujolais grand cru?
Morgon and Moulin-a-Vent.
what kind of style does Brouilly and Fleurie produce
lighter more perfume style
what techniques are used in Beaujolais wines?
many undergo crushed fruit fermentation and some get oak aging often in large vats rather than casks. some producers use semi carbonic maceration or small proportion of whole bunches to give brighter fruit flavor.
