France: Beaujolais Flashcards
What is the general climate of Beaujolais?
Continental climate - slightly warmer than the rest of Burgundy
What is the average annual rainfall in Beaujolais? (Lyon)
750-815mm per year.
What are the two moderating influencers on Beaujolais’ climate?
The Saone River
The Mistral
How does the Saone River influence the climate of Beaujolais?
The river acts as a moderater of extreme temperatures
Outline the viticultural characteristics of Gamay Noir.
- Early budding, early ripening (susceptible to frosts, can be picked before Autumn rains).
- Vulnerable in cool, damp, windy conditions.
- Thin skinned
- Susceptible to botrytis, phomopsis, sunburn, diseases of wood, grape moths, grapevine yellows.
- Not vigourous, but highly fertile; this needs to be controlled.
Where in Beaujolais is Chardonnay usually found and why?
Chardonnay is usually found in the area in the north of Beaujolais bordering the Mâcon Villages appellation. It does best on cooler marl or limestone soils that slow down ripening, preserving acidity.
Which French sustainable wine growing association was founded in Beaujolais?
Terra Vitis
Is chaptalisation permitted in Beaujolais?
Yes, and is common
What are the typical maceration times for Beaujolais wines?
Beaujolais/Beaujolais Villages; 4-5 days
Very good quality Beaujolais Villages; 6-9 days
Premium cru Beaujolais wines; 10-20 days
What are the élevage requirements for Beaujolais Noveau?
Wines cannot be released until the third Thursday of November, the year of harvest.
What was the first vintage in which Beaujolais Noveau wines were permitted?
1951
Outline the winemaking of a classic Beaujolais Nouveu.
- Carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration
- 4-5 days maceration
- They can be bottled any time after 3–5 days after fermentation has finished to 5 weeks afterwards.
- MLF optional
- Fining, sterile filtration and moderate to high use of SO2 are common (important if MLF has not taken place).
What are the three tiers of Beaujolais AOC?
Beaujolais
Beaujolais Supérieur
Beaujolais Villages
What are the max. permitted yields for Beaujolais AOC?
68hL/ha whites
60hL/ha reds and rosé
When may Beaujolais AOC wines be released?
January 15 the year after harvest (with the exception of Beaujolais Nouveu)
Beaujolais Supérieur
Max. permitted yields?
Min/Max ABV?
58hL/ha
Min. 10.5% ABV.
Max. 13% ABV (only for enriched wines)
What are the max. permitted yields for Beaujolais Villages AOC?
66hL/ha for whites
58hL/ha for reds
How many communes are permitted to add their name to Beaujolais-Villages?
38
What are the eight Beaujolais Villages located in the Saône-et-Loire département?
Chânes
La Chapelle-de-Guinchay
Leynes
Pruzilly
Romanèche-Thorins
Saint-Amour-Bellevue
Saint-Symphorien-d’Ancellas
Saint-Vérand
What are the 30 Beaujolais Villages located in the Rhône département?
Beaujeu, Blacé, Cercié, Charentay, Chénas, Chiroubles, Denicé, Emeringes, Fleurie, Juliénas, Jullié, Lancié, Lantignié, Le Perréon, Les Ardillats, Marchampt, Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin, Odenas, Quincié-en-Beaujolais, Régnié-Durette, Rivolet, Saint-Didier-sur-Beaujeu, Saint-Etienne-des-Ouillières, Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, Saint-Julien, Saint-Lager, Salles-Arbouissonnas-en-Beaujolais, Vaux-en-Beaujolais, Vauxrenard, Villié-Morgon
What are the ten Beaujolais Crus? (North to South)
Saint-Amour
Juliénas
Chénas
Moulin-á-Vent
Fleurie
Chiroubles
Morgon
Régnié
Brouilly
Côte de Brouilly
Which is the only Beaujolais Cru located entirely within the Saône-et-Loire département?
Saint-Amour
What is the northern-most Beaujolais Cru?
Saint-Amour
What is the classic style of Beaujolais Saint Amour?
Saint-Amour, like Fleurie and Chiroubles, usually provides a lighter and less concentrated expression of cru Beaujolais.
What are the four communes of production in the Beaujolais Cru Juliénas?
Juliénas, Jullié, Emeringes, Pruzilly
What are the max. permitted yields for Beaujolais Crus?
56hL/ha
What are the principal soils of Saint Amour?
Granite, clay, Schist
What are the principal soils of Juliénas?
Granite in the west, alluvial in the east
What is the smallest of the Beaujolais Crus?
Chénas
What are the principal soils of Chénas?
Granite at higher altitudes
Siliceous clay in lower areas
What cru of Beaujolais is thought to produce the most full-bodied, and most tannic wines?
Moulin-á-Vent
What are the principal soils of Moulin-á-Vent?
Pink Granite (gore)
What is the Beaujolais cru Moulin-á-Vent named for?
The historic windmill
What are the principal soils of Fleurie?
Pink Granite (gore)
What is the Beaujolais cru with the highest altitudes?
Chiroubles
What are the principal soils of Chiroubles?
Pink granite (gore)
What are the six lieu-dits of Morgon?
Douby
Les Charmes
Côte de Puy
Grand Cras
Corcelette
Les Micouds
What are the principal soils of Morgon?
Roche Pourrie (“rotten rock,” a mixture of volcanic rock, schist, and soft crystalline rock)
What producers are collectively known as Beaujolais’ ‘gang of four’?
Marcel Lapierre
Jean Foillard
Jean-Paul Thevénet
Guy Bréton
What are the principal soils of Régnié?
Pink granite (gore)
What is the largest Beaujolais cru?
Brouilly
What are the principal soils of Brouilly?
Pink granite, limestone, marl, alluvial
What are the principal soils of Côte de Brouilly?
Pink granite, volcanic rock and schist
Name a famous lieu-dits of Juliénas.
Les Capitans
Name a famous lieu-dits of Fleurie.
La Madone
What teachings do Beaujolais’ ‘gang of four’ follow?
Following the teachings and practices of late winemaker and chemist Jules Chauvet, considered a forefather of the French natural wine movement.
Who is Jules Chauvet, and how did he influence Beaujolais?
A late winemaker and chemist, considered a forefather of the French natural wine movement. His teachings and practices influence Beaujolais’ ‘gang-of-four’
Where is Marcel Lapierre located?
Morgon, Beaujolas
What Beaujolas producer makes ‘Cuvée Camille’?
Marcel Lapierre
Named for Marcel’s daughter who has taken over the estate with her brother
Where is Jean Foillard located?
Le Clachet, Beaujolas
In which region is Château Thivin a significant producer?
Beaujolas - Côte de Brouilly
Where is Domaine de Clos du Fief located?
Juliénas, Beaujolais
What is the average holding size in Beaujolais?
8ha
Outline the domestic and export markets for Beaujolais.
65% sold in France, 40% exported.
USA, UK and Canada for Cru styles
Japan for Nouveu styles
What is a commercial strength of Beaujolas in today’s market?
As prices for Burgundian Pinot Noir have risen, buyers’ attention has turned to Beaujolais Cru wines as a lower priced alternative in a similar style
How did the négociant George Duboeuf influence the commercial success of Beaujolais?
From 1964 on, promoted Beaujolais Nouveau, creating new markets in France and around the world. (Increases in sales of standard Beaujolais and the crus then followed.)
How much do Nouveu wines account for in Beaujolais’ total production?
Around a quarter
What is the typical vine training method in the Beaujolais Crus?
Gobelet/bush vine
