Discovering Beaujolais

As we approach the Beaujolais Nouveau (15/11/2018), Cavissima wishes to present to you an exciting part of the French vineyard that is often too little highlighted: Beaujolais.

An underrated region

The Beaujolais vineyard owes its fame to Beaujolais Nouveau. Beaujolais Nouveau is the first wine of the year, unveiled on the 3rd Thursday of November (15/11 in 2018), which is drunk among friends with Lyonnaise charcuterie.

Beaujolais wines They are produced in the departments of Rhône and Saône-et-Loire. The vineyard, classified as AOP, covers 19,000 ha planted with Chardonnay for white and Gamay for red.
No fewer than 3000 estates and castles bring this wine region to life.

However, Beaujolais Nouveau aside, it's clear that the other Beaujolais wines are still largely untapped. Although the trend is upward, too many appellations remain relatively unknown.
This is where Cavissima comes in and introduces you to Beaujolais and its best vintages which deserve great attention.

A closer look at the Beaujolais wines

The Beaujolais region is defined as being located between the Lyon metropolitan area and the Mâconnais region. These almost 20,000 hectares of French vineyards are divided into 12 distinct appellations, including 10 crus.
The Beaujolais terroir, like an artist's palette, presents an impressive diversity of soils and climates. The 10 Beaujolais crus follow one another but are not alike.

 

Map of Beaujolais Crus

For a brief overview, listed from North to South, here are the specific characteristics of the 10 Beaujolais crus.

Saint-Amour 

We begin with this appellation with its romantic name, Saint-Amour. Located in the far north of Beaujolais, the terroir of this cru is composed of granite, clay, and silica. It allows for the production of wines as smooth as its name suggests, with fine tannins and kirsch-like aromas.

Julienas 

The Juliénas appellation covers 578 hectares. The terroir of this cru is composed of granite, some schist, sandstone, and a little clay, making it ideal for Gamay. It is described as a synthesis. Indeed, this appellation produces wines that perfectly blend a solid tannic structure, elegance, and great flavor, all with finesse and freshness.

Chénas 

The Chénas appellation is considered one of the highest quality and most voluptuous crus of Beaujolais: “a sheaf of flowers in a velvet basket.” Even writings dating back to 1769 attest to the excellence of its wines. The granitic soil and the presence of manganese allow for the production of complex and elegant wines. Floral aromas (peony and rose) and spicy nuances characterize the nose of Chénas wines, and on the palate, they achieve a beautiful balance between structure and finesse.

Windmill 

The Moulin-à-Vent appellation is sometimes called “the Lord of Beaujolais.” The Gamay wines of Moulin-à-Vent are also known for their “Pinot-like” characteristics. This means that on this terroir, the grapes develop characteristics similar to Pinot Noir. The granitic soil, infiltrated with veins of manganese, produces robust and full-bodied wines. Often abandoning carbonic maceration, winemaking in Moulin-à-Vent adopts principles from Burgundian methods. This results in delicate aromas of violet, rose, licorice, and red fruit.
It should be noted that the said mill, emblem of the appellation, is still present, proudly perched on one of the hillsides of the vineyard.
THE Domaine Louis Jadot perfectly expresses the unique character of this terroir. Rediscover the elegance of Moulin à Vent with the Clos of Rochegrès, an exceptional vintage capable of unexpected aging. 

Flowery 

The Fleurie appellation is a mosaic within a mosaic. No fewer than 13 climats comprise it, offering an impressive array of nuances. Its topography of pinkish-hued granite is undulating. Indeed, Fleurie is dominated by a hill on which the wines produced are highly aromatic and delicate, while at the foot of this hill, one finds more structured wines.
For your information, the name of the appellation does not come from the organoleptic characteristics of the wines – which are actually quite fruity – but refers to a Roman legionary. Disappointed?
This lovely name is wonderfully represented by the Fleurie Poncié du Domaine of Vissoux, round and deliciously smooth. 

Chiroubles 

Chiroubles is the highest terroir in Beaujolais, situated at an altitude of 450m. This characteristic translates into the wines of this cru by a certain freshness which makes them particularly easy to drink.
Chiroubles thus produces seductive wines, whose aromas of red fruits enchant us.

Morgon 

Going back down a little further south, we come across the Morgon appellation, some of whose vineyards enjoy a fine reputation (ex: Les Charmes - Corcellette).
These are terroirs characterized by schistous soil, rich in iron oxide and manganese, which gives the wines a distinctive texture. Morgon wines are thus full-bodied and highly typical.

Regnie

Régnié is the newest of the Beaujolais crus. Indeed, its history as a distinct appellation dates back less than thirty years. Pink granite, sand, and various minerals make up the soil of this newest addition. From this terroir emerges a wine of great freshness and aromatic expression, which is easy to drink in its youth. Aromas of redcurrant, blackcurrant, and raspberry, nuanced by a certain minerality, characterize the Gamay wines of Régnié.

Côte de Brouilly 

This vineyard is the remnant of an ancient volcano. The blue stone (a hard volcanic rock) and steep slopes bear witness to this geological heritage. Côtes de Brouilly wines typically offer a peppery bouquet with chalky highlights and a fine tannic structure.
At Cavissima we fell in love with the Côte de Brouilly du Domaine Golden LandsWith its intense fruit and beautiful concentration, this organic vintage from Jean-Paul Brun offers you a lovely tasting experience! 

Brouilly  

Finally, the Brouilly appellation is located in the extreme south of the Beaujolais region.
It represents 20% of the total. The terroir, composed of lean pink granite soil and marl-limestone subsoil, produces very easy-drinking wines, focused on expressing the fruit. One should not look for breadth or concentration in Brouilly wines, but rather for smoothness and lightness.

You are now ready to appreciate the richness of this often underrated region.

Can't remember the names of these 10 Beaujolais crus? Try this little mnemonic trick! “So I looked for my brother at my respectable cousin Berthe’s house.” If we expand each capital letter, this gives: A for Saint-Amour, J for Juliénas, C for Chénas, M for Moulin-à-Vent, F for Fleurie, C for Chiroubles, M for Morgon, R for Régnié, C for Côte-de-Brouilly and finally B for Brouilly.

Sources: Bourgogne Aujourd'hui