D3 - Beaujolais

Question 1

• What is the climate of Beaujolais?
• How much rainfall does Beaujolais get?

Answer 1

• Continental (slightly warmer than the rest of Burgundy);
• 750mm/year.

Question 2

Name 2 temperature moderators in Beaujolais.

Answer 2

1. Saone River;
2. Mistral.

Question 3

How does the Mistral affect viticulture in Beaujolais?

Answer 3

• Can affect flowering;
• Can damage leaves + grapes near end of ripening period.

Question 4

How are the adverse effects of the Mistral mitigated in Beaujolais?

Answer 4

Vine orientation and training them low to the ground to protect them from the high winds of the Mistral.

Question 5

What is the elevation range in the northern part of Beaujolais (where all the Crus are)?

Answer 5

200-500m asl

Question 6

What are the soils like in the northern part of Beaujolais (where all the Crus are)?

Answer 6

Fast-draining granite, schist and sandy soils.

Question 7

What is the orientation of vineyards in the northern part of Beaujolais (where all the Crus are)?

Why are they situated in this direction?

Answer 7

South/southeast to maximize sun exposure.

Question 8

Gamay characteristics

1. It’s prone to spring frost. When does it bud?
2. It’s sensitive to cold, wind, and rot. What can that do to yield?
3. A great thing about it is that it ripens ___.

Answer 8

1. Buds early;
2. Can reduce yields;
3. Ripens early*.

*Despite its early ripening, Gamay can retain its acidity even in a warming climate.

Question 9

Gamay is productive and yields need to be controlled for it to produce concentrated, ripe grapes.

What is one way to restrain its fertility?

Answer 9

Reducing the number of buds.

Question 10

How are vines trained in Beaujolais?

Answer 10

• Bush vines – on steeper slopes and traditionally
• Trellised – newer plantings for inexpensive wines (aids mechanization)

Question 11

Most Beaujolais is made using this type of winemaking technique.

Answer 11

Semi-carbonic maceration

Question 12

Can Beaujolais be chaptalized?

Answer 12

Yes, in cooler years.

Question 13

Total skin maceration time is:

__ days for Beaujolais

__ days for Beaujolais-Villages

__ days for Cru Beaujolais

Answer 13

• 4-5 days for Beaujolais;
• 6-9 days for Beaujolais-Villages;
• 10-20 days for Cru Beaujolais.

Question 14

What gives carbonic free-run juice deeper color and tannins?

Answer 14

Adding press juice.

Question 15

What does it mean when a Cru Beaujolais is described as being “Burgundian in style”?

Answer 15

• Grapes destemmed and crushed, followed by fermentation and skin maceration (like most reds);
• Aged in small or large barrels with a small portion of new oak.

Question 16

When can Beaujolais Nouveau be released?

Answer 16

The 3rd Thursday in November the year of harvest.

Question 17

When are Beaujolais Nouveau wines bottled?

Answer 17

Any time 3-5 days after fermentation is complete to 5 weeks afterwards.

Question 18

Select the correct statement.

1. All Beaujolais Nouveau wines go through malo.
2. No Beaujolais Nouveau wines go through malo.
3. Some Beaujolais Nouveau wines go through malo.

Answer 18

3. Some Beaujolais Nouveau wines go through malo.

Question 19

Why can SO₂ be high in Beaujolais Nouveau?

Answer 19

If the wine didn’t go through malo, it’s important to add SO₂ to ensure it doesn’t happen in the bottle.

Question 20

Beaujolais AOC

1. What is the maximum yield?
2. When can they be released?

Answer 20

1. 60 hl/ha;
2. Mid-January the year after harvest.

Question 21

The maximum yield for Beaujolais-Villages AOC is __ hl/ha.

Answer 21

58 hl/ha

Beaujolais AOC is 60 hl/ha.

Question 22

Co-ops in Beaujolais are responsible for __% of total Beaujolais sales.

Answer 22

25%

Question 23

In 2022, __% of Beaujolais was sold in France and __% was exported.

Answer 23

• 65% sold in France;
• 40% exported.

Note: p.59 of the 2023-24 Diploma D3 materials states these percentages which come to more than 100%. The 2022 D3 materials stated 60% sold in France / 40% exported. Please ask your D3 instructor to clarify.

Question 24

The most important channels for Beaujolais within France are which three sectors?

Answer 24

• Direct sales and specialist wine shops;
• Supermarkets;
• Hospitality sector.

Question 25

How many individual crus with their own AOCs are in the northern part of the Beaujolais region?

Answer 25

10

Question 26

Describe the style of Brouilly AOC in Beaujolais.

Answer 26

Wines are made in a lighter, more perfumed style.

Brouilly is the most southern and a marginally warmer area than the rest of Beaujolais.

Question 27

Describe the style of Chiroubles AOC in Beaujolais.

Answer 27

Light and fragrant wines with marked acidity.

Chiroubles is the cru highest in elevation.

Question 28

Describe the styles of Fleurie AOC in Beaujolais.

Answer 28

• Southern Fleurie has sandy soils producing lighter and more fragrant wine (which is the reputation of Fleurie);
• Northern Fleurie (next to Moulin-à-Vent) has more clay and the wines become heavier, have lower acidity and are more full-bodied.

Question 29

Describe the style of Moulin-à-Vent AOC in Beaujolais.

Answer 29

Powerful, long lived, closest in style to Côte d’Or reds than to most other Beaujolais.

Question 30

Describe the style of Morgon AOC in Beaujolais.

Answer 30

Pronounced, intense black cherry and red fruit with sufficient tannins to age for a decade in bottle.

Question 31

In which Beaujolais cru is the south-facing Côte de Py vineyard?

Answer 31

Morgon AOC