Beaujoulais

Question 1

What river runs through Beaujolais?

Answer 1

River Saone

Question 2

How many crus are in Beaujolais?

Answer 2

10

Question 3

How many villages have the right to call their wine Beaujolais Villages?

Answer 3

39

Individual village names rarely appear on the label

Question 4

Describe some major differences in fermentation techniques between Beaujolais/Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages/Beaujolais cru:

Answer 4

While Beaujolais/Beaujolais Nouveau often go through semi or full carbonic maceration Beaujolais Villages/Beaujolais cru tend to use primarily crushed fruit fermentation wiht some using semi carb or whole fruit to give brighter fruit aromas.

Question 5

Name the 4 cru in Beaujolais with the greatest production:

Answer 5

Brouilly
Morgon
Fleurie
Moulin-a-Vent

Question 6

Name two crus Beaujolais that tend to produce lighter, more perfumed styles:

Answer 6

Brouilly

Fleurie

Question 7

What is the hierarchy of appellations in Beaujolais?

Answer 7

Bottom to top:

Beaujolais
Beaujolais Villages
Beaujolais Crus

Question 8

What is the traditional method of pruning in Beaujolais? Describe.

Answer 8

gobelet

The vines are pruned to spurs around the head, and then the shoots are tied together, to hold them vertically.

An increasing number of grower are training their vines along wire to allow for mechanization.

Question 9

What types of wine can be produced in Beaujolais?

Answer 9

Red, white, and rose although production is dominated by the red wines made from Gamay.

Question 10

If cru Beaujolais is matured, what type of vessels would be common?

Answer 10

Large vats rather than oak casks.

Wines rarely display pronounced aromas or flavours of new oak.

Question 11

What style of wine does Gamay produce?

Answer 11

Fragrant wines with aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit. The wines rarely have more than medium levels of tannin and body, and the lightest styles can be served lightly chilled.

Cru examples usually show more concentration of fruit and tannins more suitable for ageing.

Question 12

What is the climate of Beaujolais?

Answer 12

Moderate Continental

Question 13

What are the the time specific laws for the sale of Beaujolais Nouveau?

Answer 13

Cannot be released to the consumer until the third Thursday in November after the vintage.

Cannot be sold by growers or negociants after the following 31st of August.