WSET3 Beaujolais (Chapter 16)

Question 1

What is the climate in Beaujolais?

Answer 1

Similar to Mâconnais (moderate continental)

Question 2

Why is Beaujolais suited to Gamay?

Answer 2

Because Gamay buds and ripens early

Question 3

What can happen if Gamay is not well managed?

Answer 3

It can produce large yields

Question 4

What is the soil like in the best vineyards of Beaujolais?

Answer 4

Granite-based with low levels of nutrients

Question 5

What is the traditional method of pruning in Beaujolais called?

Answer 5

Gobelet

Question 6

Describe Gobelet pruning

Answer 6

The vines are pruned to spurs around the head

Shoots are tied together to hold them vertically

Question 7

Some growers in Beaujolais are allowing for mechanisation. How?

Answer 7

By tying the shoots of their vines to a trellis

Question 8

What is the flavour profile of Gamay in Beaujolais?

Answer 8

Fragrant aromas of raspberry and cherry
Medium tannin
Medium body

Question 9

How many appellation ranks are there in Beaujolais? What are they?

Answer 9

Three
Beaujolais
Beaujolais Villages
Beaujolais Crus

Question 10

Describe where generic Beaujolais is produced

Answer 10

To the east and south of the region, in the alluvial plain of the river Saône

Question 11

What is the key process in making Beaujolais?

Answer 11

Carbonic Maceration/Semi-carbonic Maceration

Question 12

What else is made in the plains of the Saône?

Answer 12

Beaujolais Nouveau

Question 13

What is Beaujolais Nouveau made for?

Answer 13

Early drinking

Question 14

When does Beaujolais Nouveau get released?

Answer 14

The third Thursday in November after the vintage

Question 15

When can Beaujolais be sold by growers or négociants?

Answer 15

After 31st of August the year after the vintage

Question 16

What quality must Beaujolais Nouveau be of?

Answer 16

Beaujolais or Beaujolais Village

Question 17

What is the flavour profile of Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau?

Answer 17

Red berry fruit, kirsch, banana and cinnamon-like spice
Light body
Light tannin

Question 18

Where are the Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Crus?

Answer 18

To the north west of Beaujolais

Question 19

What is the land like where Beaujolais Villages and Crus are?

Answer 19

Rolling hills with granite soils

Question 20

How many villages may call their wine Beaujolais Villages?

Answer 20

Thirty nine

Question 21

Why do individual village names rarely appear on Beaujolais Villages wine bottles?

Answer 21

Beaujolais Villages wines are usually blends from several villages

Question 22

How many villages may be classed as crus?

Answer 22

Ten

Question 23

What are the four Beaujolais villages with the greatest production?

Answer 23

Brouilly
Morgon
Fleurie
Moulin-à-Vent

Question 24

Which of the Beaujolais Crus produce the most structured wines?

Answer 24

Moulin-à-Vent

Morgon

Question 25

Which cru wines of Beaujolais are most capable of improving with bottle ageing?

Answer 25

Moulin-à-Vent

Morgon

Question 26

Which crus of Beaujolais produce the lightest, most perfumed styles of Beaujolais?

Answer 26

Brouilly

Fleurie

Question 27

What kind of fermentation do many of the wines of Beaujolais undergo?

Answer 27

Crushed-fruit fermentation

Question 28

What kind of vessel is used when Beaujolais is oak aged?

Answer 28

Large vats rather than casks

Question 29

Why are vats used in Beaujolais rather than casks?

Answer 29

Because the wines rarely show flavours of new oak

Question 30

How may Beaujolais producers achieve brighter fruit aromas?

Answer 30

Semi-carbonic maceration or a small proportion of whole bunches