In the south of Burgundy extends the Beaujolais vineyard. Gamay reigning supreme, produces a fruity and sensual wine. Discover it with Beaux-Vins !
We are not going to lie, the wine from this wine-growing region is initially a disastrous picture. As soon as we talk about this region, the same words always come in the conversation : " Beaujolais Nouveau ", "Banana taste", " headache ", but Beaujolais is much more than that !
Historical origins
The Roman Empire is at the origin of viticulture in France, including in Beaujolais. It was about keeping the legionaries happy to fight the barbarians ! We find traces of the wine-making activity of this region dating from 59 before. Christ. The ideal position of this region, between Rhône and Saône, and the increase in the size of towns in the 17th century intensified the wine-growing activity.
When the railways were built in the 19th century, Beaujolais has grown in popularity, especially in Paris, where the craze for "New" or "en primeur" wines began.
The Beaujolais vineyard
Beaujolais is inserted between the two powerful wine regions of Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. This vineyard of 23’000 hectares extends over 55 km from south to north and on only 22 km wide.
The snobbish minute : the vineyard is officially and legally attached to the Burgundy region by judgment of the court of Dijon since 1930.
Ground
Soil plays an important role in Beaujolais. North, we have granite soils called "Granite de Fleurie", region where the vintages are concentrated. In the center, the limestone soils of golden stones dominate. While in the south, it is the schist that gives the wine its character.
The climate
The climate is said to be continental with oceanic influence with an average temperature of 11 °C. Summers are hot thanks to the Mediterranean influence from the south.
The typicity of the wines is due to the variety of microclimates in the region. Slope, exposure, protection of the terrain will change the impact of the weather on the vine.
The grape varieties
The Black Gamay with white juice is the Beaujolais grape used to produce red wine. It was introduced at the beginning of the 17th century by crossing Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc. Out of 30’000 hectares planted around the world, more than half are in Beaujolais, where it occupies 98 % of the vineyard.
More confidential, the white wine of Beaujolais is made from Chardonnay, part of which is used to make Crémant de Bourgogne. It is also possible to find Beaujolais rosé from Gamay.
Other grape varieties are authorized in the region such as Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, two varieties of Gamay (Bouze et Chaudenay), Melon Blanc and Aligoté Blanc.
The snobbish minute : Beaujolais recently received authorization to plant a new grape variety called Gamaret. He was born in Switzerland in 1970 by crossing Gamay and Reichensteiner and has a higher yield than Gamay and increased resistance.
The work of the winegrower
The cup size is characteristic of the “Beaujolais crus” and “Beaujolais Villages”. While Guyot pruning is reserved for the white grape variety.
Since 2004, mechanical harvesting is authorized for AOC Beaujolais without any mention of primeur for purely economic reasons in a region in great difficulty. But manual harvesting remains an important part of the region's heritage. “Beaujolaise vinification” is characterized by the placing in vats of whole bunches..
Classification of Beaujolais wines
Beaujolais is divided into three categories : Beaujolais AOP, Beaujolais Villages AOC and Cru du Beaujolais.
Beaujolais AOC
It is the largest appellation in the region with 96 villages composing it ; a few in the northern half, but most of the south. The clay soils and the plains of the south make it more difficult for the grapes to ripen properly. For this reason, you will find a wide difference in quality in Beaujolais AOC between producer and vintage.
Beaujolais Villages AOC
We go up in quality and we find ourselves in this appellation 38 villages, which 30 can put their name on the label. Many of these villages are located on soils characterized by granite or shale, so that they have a more "mineral" quality.
The Beaujolais Crus
The 10 Beaujolais crus are concentrated in the north of Beaujolais and produce only red wine.
Saint-Amour : Two styles of wines are produced. Light and fruity with hints of violet and peach for the first. The second is spicier and almost looks like a Pinot after 5 years.
- Juliénas : floral and fruity, strawberry aromas, peach, violet and spicy cinnamon are common in this vintage. Its name would take from Julius Caesar. This village would be the starting point for viticulture in Beaujolais.
- Chenas : this is the rarest vintage. These wines often have a "woody" quality., but these are their floral notes of rose and iris, as well as silky tannins, which earned them the nickname "flower bouquet in a velvet basket".
- Moulin à vent : nicknamed "The King of Beaujolais", the wines from this village have a ruby color and a complex structure and are known to be the most tannic in the region. With hints of cherry and violet when they are young, after several years they will develop on aromas of meat and spices.
- Fleurie : beside his king, "The queen of Beaujolais" presents lighter and very aromatic wines with a "feminine" quality : rose, iris and violet with some ripe red fruits and peach.
- Chiroubles : it is the most characteristic wine of Beaujolais. This wine requires a certain freshness to be appreciated, remember to serve it between 8 to 10 °C.
- Morgon : The second largest of the crus, Morgon is made up of six "climates", all with slightly different styles. Their common feature is the schist soil which contributes to the aromas of red fruits and peaches.. These are wines intended to age at least 5 years.
- Régnié : The wines of this village are to be tasted young when they have a strong aromatic potential. : cherry, blackcurrant and raspberry. There are the largest number of organic Beaujolais vineyards in this village.
- Brouilly : it is the southernmost Cru of Beaujolais. Wines are meant to be enjoyed young.
- Côte de Brouilly : nicknamed "the elegant wine on the hill". The volcanic rocks of Mont Brouilly give a beautiful minerality to this cru which is the most exported from the region..
You want to remember 10 Beaujolais vintages going from North to South ? Nothing's easier ! Remember the sentence :
« Si Je Cache Mon Fromage, Comment Mener Royalement Bonne Chère ? "
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