D3 France: Beaujolais Flashcards
Gamay represent which percentage of planted grapes?
98%
What is the climate of Beaujolais?
Continental.
Slightly warmer than the rest of burgundy.
What are the moderating influences on the climate in Beaujolais?
The Saone river
Cold mistral wins
What are the negative impacts of the mistral wins?
It can affect flowering in the cold, damp early summer weather.
It can damage leaves and grapes towards the end of the ripening period
Why is Gamay susceptible to damage from the strong mistral winds?
Because it has thin skins. The skins can be damaged at the end of ripening by the winds when the grapes skins are at their most vulnerable.
Describe the soils and topography of the north of Beaujolais.
The northern part of the region is hilly at 200 to 500 m and has fast draining granite, schist and sandy soils. The Vineyards are on south and south east facing slopes.
Why is harvest earlier in the north then for Beaujolais AOC wines?
Because of the fast draining soil’s
The south and south east facing slopes which maximize exposure.
As opposed to the south of the region where the land is flat and the soils are richer
What mainly leads to the difference in styles of Beaujolais ones produced in the region?
The ripeness of the grapes.
This will be affected by the soil’s, the slopes, the aspect and reducing the number of buds to restrain high fertility of the Gamay variety.
How are vines trained in Beaujolais?
Traditionally vines were trained as bushes, giving some protection from the wind, and this is still the case on the steeper slopes.
Vines are increasing increasingly trained on trellises to aid mechanization, especially where the aim is to make an expensive wines.
Are most Gamay grapes picked by hand or machine?
Mostly picked by hand because whole bunches are required for most common form of wine making
Where is Chardonnay usually found in Beaujolais?
In the area in the north of Beaujolais bordering the Macon villages appellation.
On what types of soils does Chardonnay best perform in Beaujolais?
On the cooler marl or limestone soils that slow down the ripening, preserving acidity.
What is the name of the association focused on sustainability and responsible grape growing which was formed in Beaujolais?
Terra Vitis
The majority of Beaujolais is made by which fermentation method?
Semi carbonic maceration.
Is chaptalization permitted?
Yes. It is common, particularly in the cooler years.
According to AOC regulations when can wines normally be sold?
15 December.
When are Beaujolais nouveau wines released for sale?
Third Thursday in November
Describe how Beaujolais nouveau wines are made.
By carbonic or semi carbonic maceration.
Bottled 3 to 5 days after fermentation has finished.
Someone’s go through malolactic conversion while others do not.
Finding and sterile filtration and moderate to high use of SO2, Especially if the wine hasn’t gone through malolactic conversion to make sure it doesn’t happen later in the bottle.
Where do the grapes for Beaujolais AOC ones come from?
Technically it is a regional appellation that covers the whole area of Beaujolais.
In practice the Vineyards are in the south of the region because those in the north of the region are in the Beaujolais Village area.
What are the maximum yields for red wine for Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais AOC?
58 hL/ha
60 hL/ha
Which of the two Beaujolais Crus are much larger than the others?
Brouilly
Morgon
Which Cru is the most southern and marginally warmer? Describe the style of wine.
Brouilly
Lighter more perfumed style of wine.
Which of the Beaujolais crus is at the highest altitude? Describe the wine.
Chiroubles
Light and fragrant wines with marked acidity.
Which Beaujolais Cru has two distinct styles. Describe the two styles north and south.
South
Sandy soil’s producing lighter and more fragrant wine which is the reputation of this area
North
Next to Moulin-à-Vent where the soils have more Clay, the ones become heavier, have lower acidity and are more full bodied.
Describe the styles of Moulin-à-Vent
Produces the most powerful and long lived wines, closer in style to the Côte d’or red wines than to most other Beaujolais.
Within which Beaujolais cru is the Côte de Py Vineyard? Why is it special?
Morgon.
It is a south facing Vineyard.
Describe the style of wines made from Côte de Py.
Pronounced intensity black cherry fruit alongside red fruit and sufficient tannins to age for a decade in bottle.
Why has there been an investment from burgundy growers in Beaujolais?
Because the land is cheaper. Because the growers are looking to diversify.
What has the investment from Burgundy growers lead to in Beaujolais?
Increased drive for quality in the region. It has encouraged the trend away from carbonic maceration and the increased use of oak, especially in the Beaujolais Crus.
What is the average size of holdings in Beaujolais?
10 ha
What percentage of production are cooperatives responsible for?
25%
Percentage of Beaujolais sold in France versus export?
60/40
What are the most important channels for sales of Beaujolais in France?
In order of importance: Direct sales Specialist wine shops Supermarkets Hospitality sector
What are the top three export markets for Beaujolais?
Japan, with a huge preference for nouveau
USA
UK
(with a preference for villages and crus)
Why are burgundy buyers turning to Beaujolais?
As Burgundian Pinot Noir has risen in price, Beaujolais cru offers ones at a lower price point in a similar style
Who was very important in promoting Beaujolais nouveau and creating new markets?
George Duboeuf
From 1964 onwards
He created new markets in France and around the world
Increases in sales of standard Beaujolais and the crus followed after consumers were introduced to Nouveau
More recently where has there been a strong following for Beaujolais especially the cru?
Among sommeliers and wine lovers especially in the USA, Leading to Wine’s now reaching premium and super premium levels
Who are France’s natural wine movement pioneers?
Négociant Jules Chauvet
Winemaker Marcel Lapierre
