Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Wine Diploma > Beaujolais > Flashcards

Beaujolais Flashcards

You may prefer our related Brainscape-certified flashcards:
WSET ® Level 1 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Wine flashcards WSET ® Level 2 Spirits flashcards WSET ® Level 1 Spirits flashcards Wine Appreciation flashcards Introductory Sommelier Exam (CMS) flashcards WSET ® Level 3 Spirits flashcards WSET® Level 4 Wine flashcards
1
Q

Describe the climate in Beaujolais

A

Continental climate, warmer than Burgundy (more southerly latitude)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is the average rainfall in Beaujolais?

A

740mm per annum

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the name of the river in Beaujolais?

What affect does this have?

A

The Saone

Moderates temperature extremes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the name of the wind blowing through Beaujolais?

What affect does this have?

A

Mistral

Cold wind
Can affect flowering
Can damage leaves and grapes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

In which two recent vintages was hail a problem in Beaujolais?

A

2016 and 2017 - a lot of crop was destroyed by hail

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

How does topography in the north of Beaujolais differ to that in the South?

A

Northern area of Beaujolais is hilly (200 to 500m) with south and south east facing slopes maximising sunlight exposure.

Beaujolais AOC area in the south is flatter

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Would you find Cru Beaujolais vineyards in the north or south of the appellation?

A

North

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What vine training systems are typically used in Beaujolais?

A

Vines were traditionally trained as bushes for protection from the Mistral - this is the case on the steeper slopes still.

Vines in the south are increasingly trained on trellises to aid mechanisation, especially for cheaper wines.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What techniques can be used to restrain Gamay’s vigour in Beaujolais?

A

Short pruning

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How do producers protect Gamay vines from strong Mistral winds in Beaujolais?

A

Vine orientation and low training gives vines protection

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Is harvesting in Beaujolais mostly by hand or by machine?

A

Harvest is by hand - whole bunches are required for Carbonic Maceration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

In what part of Beaujolais does harvest begin earlier and why?

A

Harvest is earlier in the north: south and south east facing slopes ensure earlier ripening.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What type of soils do you find in the north of Beaujolais?

A

Free draining granite and schist soils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Explain how conditions in the north of Beaujolais ensure more intensely flavoured Gamay grapes.

A

South and south east facing slopes

Good drainage

Good sunlight interception

Warm granite soils limit vigour and aid ripening

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the maximum yield for:

Beaujolais AOC?
Beaujolais Villages AOC?

A

Beaujolais AOC: 60hl/ha

Beaujolais Villages AOC: 58hl/ha

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Describe the typical winemaking decisions for Beaujolais AOC and Beaujolais Villages AOC wines

A
  • Chaptalisation in cooler years
  • Semi carbonic: enhance fruitiness and depth of colour for early drinking
  • Total maceration on skins: 4 to 5 days (v.good quality village may be 6-9 days for more concentration)
  • Blend press and free run wine; add colour and tannin
  • Hold breifly in stainless steel before bottling and release; reduce production costs
17
Q

Describe the winemaking decisions for Cru Beaujolais AOC wines

A
  • May be made the same way as villages AOC but with extended maceration (10 to 20 days)
  • Some may destem and crush, followed by fermentation on skins
  • Age in small/ large barrels with a small % of new oak: increased production cost
  • Burgundian in style
  • Wines becoming deeper in colour, more full bodied and more tannic than those made by semi-carbonic maceration
18
Q

Describe the winemaking decisions for Beaujolais Nouveau.

A
  • Can be labelled Beaujolais AOC or Villages depending on where the grapes are from
  • Full or semi carbonic maceration
  • Wines bottled 3 to 5 days after fermentation
  • Some may undergo MLF, others may not
  • Fining and sterile filtration are common as is moderate to high use of SO2
  • SO2 is important if MLF has not occured, preventing the wine from doing so in bottle
19
Q

Where would you expect wines labelled Beaujolais AOC to come from?

A

Technically wines can come from anywhere in the appellation but in practice the vineyards are in the south where the land is flatter and the soils are richer.

20
Q

When are Beaujolais AOC wines allowed to be released to market?

A

Wines can be sold mid Jan after harvest

21
Q

When are Beaujolais Nouveau wines allowed to be released to market?

A

Wines can be sold the third Thursday in November

22
Q

What percentage of Beaujolais production is Beaujolais Nouveau wine?

A

25%

23
Q

Describe the quality and price of Beaujolais AOC/ Beaujolais Villages AOC

A

Good to very good, inexpensive to mid priced.

24
Q

Describe the quality and price of Cru Beaujolais AOC.

A

V. good to outstanding, mid to premium priced

25
Q

Name the ten Beaujolais cru

A 
Brouilly
Chiroubles
Fleurie
Moulin à Vent
Morgon
St Amour
Régnie
Julienas
Chenas
Côte de Brouilly
26
Q

Describe how some of the top Beaujolais producers might be working in the vineyard and winery (4)

A
  • Attention to sustainable viticulture
  • Less intervention in the winery
  • Use of low yielding old vines
  • Use of oak in the winery
27
Q

Where has Beaujolais attracted investment from? Why?

A

Burgundy

Some vineyards within the crus have a good reputation; producers looking to diversify and the land is cheaper in Beaujolais

28
Q

What is the average size of vineyard holdings in Beaujolais??

A

10ha

29
Q

What percentage of wine sales in Beaujolais is from co-operatives?

A

25%

30
Q

What percentage of Beaujolais is sold in France and how much is exported?

A

60% consumed domestically

40% exported

31
Q

Which countries are the top export markets for Beaujolais? Which quality level do they typically buy?

A

Japan (Nouveau)
USA (Villages + Cru)
UK (Villages + Cru)

32
Q

Who is Georges Dubouef?

A

A negociant who, in 1964, promoted the Nouveau style and created new markets for Beaujolais around the world

33
Q

Which 3 years are considered the best Beaujolais vintages of the past two decades?

A

2009
2010
2015

34
Q

Give a tasting note for a Beaujolais Nouveau wine

A

Light body, low tannin with red berry fruit and notes of kirsch and banana coming from carbonic maceration

35
Q

Which two Beaujolais Crus are considered the most structured?

A

Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon

Wine Diploma (62 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions