France - Beaujolais Flashcards
What is Beaujolais’ general climate?
Continental, slightly warmer than the rest of Burgundy.
What is average rainfall in Beaujolais?
740mm per year, adequate.
What natural factor acts as a moderating influence?
The Saone River moderates any extreme temperatures.
What is one of the main climatic risks? How does this affect the vine and how is risk mitigated?
The cold Mistral winds, which can affect flowering in cold, damp early summer weather, or it can damage leaves and grapes towards the end of the ripening period when Gamays naturally thin skins are at their most vulnerable.
Vine orientation and training low to the ground mitigate these effects.
What are the altitude and soil types in the northern part of the region?
Here, where both the cru AOCs and Beaujolais-Village are found, the region is hilly, with 200-500m altitude and has fast draining granite, schist and sandy soils
Where are vineyards situated in the northern part of the region, and what does this change compare to the rest of Beaujolais?
On south or south-east facing slopes, for maximum exposure to the sun. As a result harvest is usually earlier than for Beaujolais AOC wines, that typically come from the flatter southern part of the region where soils are richer.
How are Gamay vines usually trained? Why?
Traditionally as bushes, to give protection from the wind. This is still the case on steeper slopes but increasingly, and where possible, vines are trained on trellises to aid mechanisation, especially when aiming to make inexpensive wines.
How are Gamay grapes usually harvested? Why?
By hand, as whole bunches are required for the most common form of winemaking.
Where is Chardonnay most commonly found in the region? Why?
The North of beaujolais, bordering the Mâcon Villages appellation as it does best on the cooler marl or limestone soils found there, that slow down ripening and preserve acidity.
What association has been set up in Beaujolais that now works with other associations throughout France? Why was this set up?
Terra Vitis, due to the avid interest in sustainable and organic viticulture in the region.
Characteristics of Gamay?
Early budding, so susceptible to spring frosts.
Vulnerable to millerandage in cold, damp, windy conditions, which can reduce yields.
It has thin delicate skins so is vulnerable to rot and wind.
Early ripening, so can usually be picked before autumn rains arrive.
Wines made from Gamay can express different nuances depending on topography and soil, giving wines of varying tannins and fruitiness, mainly relating to ripeness of skins and seeds. Good drainage, sunlight interception and warm granite soils = intense fruit character compared to being leafy and green in less ripe examples.
Productive grape so yields need to be controlled to produce concentrated, ripe grapes, usually done by reducing the number of buds to restrain high fertility.
