France - Burgundy - Beaujolais

Question 1

What is the climate of Beaujolais?

Answer 1

Continental climate

Question 2

What is the river going through in Beaujolais?

Answer 2

The Saone River

Question 3

What is the wind influenced in Beaujolais?

Answer 3

Mistral, cold winds

Question 4

Does Gamay bud and ripen early or later?

Answer 4

Buds early, ripen early

Question 5

What are the soils of Beaujolais?

Answer 5

Fast-draining granite, schist, and sandy soils

Question 6

What is the traditional trellising system in Beaujolais?

Answer 6

Bush vines, gives some protection from winds

Question 7

What is the common maceration method used for Beaujolais?

Answer 7

Semi-carbonic maceration

Question 8

what is the total maceration time on the skins for Beaujolais?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

Who are the pioneer of France’s natural wine movement in Beaujolais?

Answer 9

• Jules Chauvet (negocient)
• Marcel Lapierre (winemaker)

Question 10

When is the Beaujolais Nouveau released?

Answer 10

The third Thursday of November

Question 11

When is any AOC wines can normally be sold?

Answer 11

December 15th

Question 12

What are the maceration methods used for Beaujolais Nouveau?

Answer 12

carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration

Question 13

What is the maximum yield for red wine of Beaujolais AOC?

Answer 13

60 hl/ha

Question 14

What is the maximum yield of Beaujolais-villages AOC?

Answer 14

58 hl/ha

Question 15

What are the lighter styles of Beaujolais cru?

Answer 15

• Brouilly
• Chiroubles; the highest altitude
• Fleurie: sandy soils

Question 16

What are the more powerful styles of Beaujolais crus?

Answer 16

• Moulin-a-vent
• Morgon

Question 17

What are the 10 Beaujolais Crus?

Answer 17

• Saint-Amor
• Julienas
• Chenas
• Moulin-a-Vent
• Fluerie
• Chiroubles
• Morgon
• Regnie
• Brouilly
• Cote de Bouilly

Question 18

What is the famous vineyard of Morgon?

Answer 18

Cote de Py, south-facing

Question 19

Which countries are the biggest export market?

Answer 19

• Japan, huge preference for the Nouveau style
• USA,
• UK

Question 20

How a wine producer may try and achieve concentration of flavors in Gamay grapes?

Answer 20

• Vineyard management:
• Planting on south and south-east facing slopes for optimum sun exposure/ nutrients/water
• Training the vine low to protect against strong winds and the added benefit to ripening from re-radiated heat from the ground
• Canopy management - Gamay is a vigorous variety and spur pruning is recommended to reduce the vigor
• Ensuring stalks are ripe as Beaujolais wines usually require whole bunch fermentation, and unripe stalks can add bitterness and astringency
• Ensuring both the skins and pips are ripe to avoid added bitterness and herbaceous flavors

Question 21

True or false?
Press wine and free run juice wine are rarely blended in Beaujolais?

Answer 21

False
Press wine and free run juice are often blended as the press wine gives color and tannins to the free run juice