Chap 16: Beaujolais Flashcards
What is the climate in Beaujolais?
(Cool, Mod, Warm AND Continental, Maritime or Med)
Similar to Mâconnais (moderate continental)
Why is Beaujolais suited to Gamay?
Because Gamay buds and ripens early
What can happen if Gamay is not well managed? What impact does this have to the wine?
It can produce large yields and therefore lower quality wines.
What is the soil like in the best vineyards of Beaujolais?
Granite-based with low levels of nutrients
What is the traditional method of pruning in Beaujolais called?
Gobelet
Describe how the vines in Beaujolais are pruned
The vines are pruned to spurs around the head and then Shoots are tied together to hold them vertically.
Some growers in Beaujolais are allowing for mechanisation. How?
By tying the shoots of their vines to a trellis
What is the flavour profile of Gamay in Beaujolais?
* Aromas
* Tannin
* Body
- Fragrant aromas of raspberry and cherry
- Rarely have more than Medium tannin & body
How many appellation ranks are there in Beaujolais? What are they?
Three
* Beaujolais Regional Appelation
* Beaujolais Villages
* Beaujolais Crus
Describe where generic Beaujolais is produced
To the east and south of the region, in the alluvial plain of the river Saône
What is the key process in making Beaujolais?
Carbonic Maceration/Semi-carbonic Maceration
What else is made in the plains of the Saône?
Beaujolais Nouveau
What is Beaujolais Nouveau made for?
Early drinking
What are the requirements around the release/selling period of Beaujolais Nouveau?
I cannot be released to the consumer until the third Thursday in November after the vintage and cannot be sold by growers or negociants after the following 31st of August
What quality must Beaujolais Nouveau be of?
Beaujolais or Beaujolais Village (the ten crus cannot be sold this way)
Describe Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau:
* Body
* Tannin
* Flavor
- Light body
- Light tannin
- Red berry fruit and often notes of kirsch, banana and cinnamon-like spice from carbonic maceration
Where are the Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Crus?
To the north and west of Beaujolais
What is the land like where Beaujolais Villages and Crus are?
Rolling hills with granite soils
How many villages may call their wine Beaujolais Villages?
Thirty nine
Why do individual village names rarely appear on Beaujolais Villages wine bottles?
Beaujolais Villages wines are usually blends from several villages
How many villages may be classed as crus?
Ten
What are the four Beaujolais villages with the greatest production?
Brouilly
Morgon
Fleurie
Moulin-à-Vent
Which of the Beaujolais Crus produce the most structured wines? Do they have age potential, why or why not?
Moulin-à-Vent and Morgon
The fruit concentration and level of tannings mean that these wines can improve with bottle ageing.
Which crus of Beaujolais produce the lighter more perfumed styles of Beaujolais?
Brouilly and Fleurie
What kind of fermentation do many of the wines of Beaujolais villages and beaujolais crus undergo?
Crushed-fruit fermentation
Will Beaujolais ever be oak aged?
Some will
What kind of vessel is used when Beaujolais is oak aged?
Large vats rather than casks
Why are vats used in Beaujolais rather than casks?
Because the wines rarely show flavours of new oak
How may Beaujolais producers achieve brighter fruit aromas?
Semi-carbonic maceration or a small proportion of whole bunches
