The 10 Crus of Beaujolais
Beaujolais
Beaujolais is a French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée wine generally made of the Gamay grape which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. Like most AOC wines they are not labeled varietally. Whites from the region, which make up only 1% of its production, are made mostly with …
Fleurie
Fleurie is a commune in the Rhône department in eastern France. Medieval charters record Fleurie as Floriacum. Fleurie AOC is a division of the Beaujolais wine region. In the 1970s the British Conservative politician and tax fugitive Ernest Marples owned a Fleurie château and vineyard, t…
What are the 10 crus of Beaujolais?
These wines represent the best of the Beaujolais: serious, delicious, and often age-worthy wines. The 10 Crus, from north to south are St-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte de Brouilly. Each one has its own personality, its own charms.
What is Beaujolais wine?
Beaujolais, as you probably know, is a region in France(at the very southern end of Burgundy, beginning just south of Macon) where they make wine with the grape, Gamay. Beaujolais, like many French regions, ranks its vineyard sites.
What grapes are allowed in Beaujolais Crus?
In the 10 Beaujolais Crus: Gamay is the main grape, of course, but Aligoté, Chardonnay and Melon de Bourgogne are all permitted. What are the allowed yields in Beaujolais?
What is the difference between Beaujolais Crus and villages?
Flavor, aromas and body: The Beaujolais Crus tend to have more body and complexity than Beaujolais Villages, which in turn have more than Beaujolais AOC. Production rules: there are subtly different rules governing winemaking (such as the maximum permitted yield) in the three subregions.
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What does Cru Beaujolais mean?
Cru Beaujolais, the highest category of classification in Beaujolais, account for the production within ten villages/areas in the foothills of the Beaujolais mountains. Unlike Burgundy and Alsace, the phrase cru in Beaujolais refers to an entire wine-producing area rather than an individual vineyard.
What are the three different quality levels of Beaujolais?
The wines of Beaujolais are divided into three in three Classifications: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, and Beaujolais Crus.
What does Cru mean for wine?
growthCru translates to "growth." More precisely, it references a great or superior growing site or vineyard, a concept linked to the French notion of terroir. Soil, climate, altitude, aspect and the right variety create a synergy recognized as a cru.
Which Beaujolais is the best quality?
Best Beaujolais Wines in 2022 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)2010 Yvon Metras Fleurie Cuvee l'Ultime. ... 2007 Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon 'Cuvee 3.14' ... 2016 Château des Bachelards Comtesse de Vazeilles Fleurie Le Clos. ... 2011 Château du Moulin-a-Vent 'Moulin-a-Vent' Clos de Londres Château. ... 2005 Yvon Métras Fleurie.More items...
Do you refrigerate Beaujolais?
Avoid the fridge! Beaujolais likes to be cool, as we have seen, but not cold. Avoid using the fridge for longer than an hour otherwise you will mute the flavours and impede the characteristics of the wine.
Are there Grand Crus in Beaujolais?
Beaujolais is once again being acclaimed as a source of elegant, easy-drinking reds made from the Gamay grape.
What's better premier cru or Grand Cru?
Yet, its classification system is relatively simple. Grand Cru is the top dog, while the tier just below it is named Premier Cru. A cru in Burgundy designates a high-quality vineyard. Often, they're split into parcels owned by different wineries or estates.
What are the 5 Grand Cru Bordeaux?
Bordeaux: The five first growths There are five châteaux in Bordeaux that truly need no introduction. Known as the first growths, or the premier cru classés, they are Haut-Brion, Lafite Rothschild, Mouton Rothschild, Latour and Margaux.
What kind of wine is Petrus?
red winePétrus is a Bordeaux, France, wine estate located in the Pomerol appellation near its eastern border to Saint-Émilion. A small estate of just 11.4 hectares (28 acres), it produces a red wine entirely from Merlot grapes (since the end of 2010), and produces no second wine.
Is Pinot Noir the same as Beaujolais?
Both grapes also have high acidity and a red fruit sweetness. However, Pinot Noir imparts a floral essence, the Gamay grape of Beaujolais offers more minerality. Despite their individual nuances, both wines impart the same body to the wine, especially when comparing a 100-percent Pinot Noir to a Beaujolais.
What is the difference between Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau?
Basic Beaujolais can come from anywhere within the Beaujolais region and blended into a single wine, which accounts for 56% of the total production of the region. Beaujolais Nouveau accounts for a significant percentage of Beaujolais production and must be fermented quickly and released the same year as the vintage.
Is Beaujolais the same as Burgundy?
Not only are they close, the Beaujolais region is, technically speaking, part of the same administrative region as Burgundy. But Beaujolais isn't Burgundy. It's very much its own thing, with its own terroir, history, winemaking styles, personalities. And important for most of us wine lovers: with much lower prices.
What is the difference between Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau?
Basic Beaujolais can come from anywhere within the Beaujolais region and blended into a single wine, which accounts for 56% of the total production of the region. Beaujolais Nouveau accounts for a significant percentage of Beaujolais production and must be fermented quickly and released the same year as the vintage.
What does Beaujolais Nouveau taste like?
Beaujolais Nouveau Flavor Profile A saturated purple color, the wine has vibrant and fruity aromas and notes of sour cherry, raspberry, strawberry, grape, and banana. The light-bodied wine is juicy, zippy, and fresh due to the carbonic maceration and is more or less reminiscent of really good adult grape juice.
How long does Beaujolais Nouveau last?
Enjoy your glass of Beaujolais Nouveau's fruit flavors within six months or a year of its bottling. If you're lucky, you can even store a good and rare vintage for over 2 to 3 years.
What kind of wine is Beaujolais Villages?
THE FIRST “VILLAGES” APPELLATION IN HISTORY Beaujolais Villages wines are essentially red, but the Beaujolais Villages white and rosé wines are worth discovering. These vintages – rarer in quantity – are often in high demand by connoisseurs, looking for an aromatic wine with a certain complexity and structure.
What is the cru of Beaujolais?
This massive cru covers ⅕ of the total surface area of Beaujolais and is generally broken down by its two major soil types (pink granite and marly limestone). Because of these two different terroirs, wines from Brouilly fall all over the flavor spectrum. Expect lighter, more acid-driven juice from granite terroirs, and more fuller-bodied expressions from limestone soils. For typical French bistro wine in one of its finest forms, this cru’s got your back.
What is the youngest cru in Beaujolais?
Régnié. This westerly cru was officially recognized by France’s appellation board back in 1988, making it the youngest of Beaujolais’ ten crus. The region’s pink granite soils produce vibrant grapes loaded with acid, which in turn, make energetic wines loaded with flavors of smashed raspberries, red currants, and white pepper.
What is the highest altitude region in Beaujolais?
This small, westerly cru is the highest altitude region in Beaujolais , which means that fruit here is some of the last to be harvested each vintage. Cool temperatures keep acidity high, which translates to refreshing, youthful wines that are loaded with flavors of crunchy strawberries, cranberries, pomegranate, and pepper. Although farming these slopes is hard, the fruits of these hardworking vignerons’ labor is definitely enjoyed by the masses.
What is Fleurie wine?
Fleurie is pretty amazing. Many of our favorite winemakers call this ‘floral’ cru home, including Justin Dutraive, Yann Bertrand, and David & Michele Chapel. As its name suggests, wines from Fleurie lean on the floral-heavy side and are marked by flavors of rose petals, red fruits, violets, and sweet spice. These hauntingly aromatic bottles are beautiful in their youth, yet always shine with a few years of age on them.
What is Morgon wine?
Although enjoyable on their own, wines from Morgon come to life when served with grilled red meats, roasted veggies, and a variety of French-inspired bistro favorites.
What are the soils of Saint Amour?
Soils here are quite varied, though they’re mostly made up of granite, limestone, clay, and schist. Wines from Saint-Amour are known for being light, bright, and dominated by red fruit flavors (strawberries, cranberries, currants, etc.).
Where is the Côte de Brouilly located?
Nestled entirely within the overarching Brouilly appellation, the Côte de Brouilly’s vineyards are located on steep hillside slopes , which translates to more sun and riper fruit. These wines (similar to those from Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent) tend to be more structured and dense than bottlings from Brouilly.
What is the smallest cru in Beaujolais?
Chénas. Of all 10 Crus of Beaujolais, it’s the smallest cru and was named after the oak forests that at one time were a prominent feature of its hillsides. Grown on soils comprised of granite, schist, and clay, the best wines of the area are great for cellaring. Try aging them for a decade or longer.
What is the Queen of Beaujolais?
Often referred to as “The Queen of Beaujolais,” the wines showcase lush red fruit and floral notes along with a signature silkiness. Soils composed primarily of pink granite dominate the landscape here.
What is Beaujolais wine made of?
Bottles designated under any of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais appellations must be produced principally from Gamay grapes. And did you know? 98% of Beaujolais production is red wine.
What is the largest cru?
Brouilly . Brouilly is the largest of the 10 crus and Mont Brouilly defines the local geography. Grapes are grown on varied soil types and the wines typically offer a bit more weight with an emphasis on ripe fruit.
What is the best soil for Beaujolais?
Here, you’ll find some of the firmest and longest-lived Beaujolais. The pink granite and manganese soil composition here helps limit grape yields. This results in more concentrated wines that may develop a Burgundian character over time. The cru takes its name from a windmill near the vineyards.
What is Morgon wine?
Morgon. Known for deeply colored, fuller styles of wine, they may be compared to red Burgundy as they mature. Granite, schist, clay, and volcanic rock soils are found throughout the cru and in many of the vineyards. The most celebrated of which is a hillside named Côte du Py.
Is the youngest cru a Beaujolais village?
As the youngest cru, it has been successfully promoted from Beaujolais-Villages status after winemakers spent years pleading their case. While the history of viticulture on the pink granite terrain stretches back 2,000 years, most wines are best enjoyed young and fresh.
What is the prettiest cru Beaujolais?
A lighter style of cru Beaujolais, Fleurie is characterized by blossom-like red fruit and the unmistakeable aromas of les fleurs rose and violet. Undoubtedly the prettiest of the crus, Fleurie is excellent chilled. Recommended: 2014 Yann Bertrand ‘Folie,’ Fleurie.
What grapes are used in Beaujolais?
Rather than being represented by this lackluster, just-fermented juice, Beaujolais is becoming recognized once again as a source of lighter-bodied, easy-drinking reds made from the Gamay grape.
Where is Beaujolais wine made?
This is largely thanks to ten named crus located in the northern part of Beaujolais, just south of Burgundy’s Macon region, where the best examples of Beaujolais are made. Wines produced in these crus (hence the term “cru Beaujolais”) are allowed to be labeled with the cru from which they hail, be it Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly, etc. ...
What is a fleurie?
Fleurie: “Pretty Pretty Princess”. While Fleurie may not have the power of the well-known crus of Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon, its charming, floral elegance makes just as much of a lasting impression.
Is Chiroubles a good wine?
For those who are used to drinking standard Beaujolais or even Beaujolais Nouveau, Chiroubles is a great wine to transition into the world of cru Beaujolais. This isn’t to say that Chiroubles is of lesser quality than the other crus; rather, it speaks to the fact that Chiroubles is the lightest bodied cru Beaujolais. This is because Chiroubles has the highest elevation in the region, and therefore, the coolest temperatures, creating delicate red berry fruit and similar violet note to its neighbor, Fleurie. But be forewarned – once you dive into Chiroubles, you’ll never want to get out of the cru Beaujolais pool.
Is Beaujolais more ageable than Beaujolais?
Those in the know see cru Beaujolais as a source for wines that are more robust, more structured, and more ageable than standard Beaujolais, but with all the friendliness and affordability that the overall region offers. However, all crus are not equal, and each one has its own quirky personality and style of wines, ...
Is Cru Beaujolais equal?
However, all crus are not equal, and each one has its own quirky personality and style of wines, making exploring the world of cru Beaujolais that much more fun! Which cru is right for you? This guide is a start, but the best – and most delicious – way to find out is to try them all for yourself.
What is Cru Beaujolais?
Concentrated in the northern part of the region, in an area that spans a mere 15 miles, ten distinct growing areas have been singled out for producing wines of unmatched quality. These 10 crus present unique combinations of soil, topography, elevation, climate, and sun exposure that inspire the top winemakers to make wines of true expression.
The 10 Crus of Beaujolais
The romantic name of the most northerly cru has been a blessing and a curse. Saint-Amour sells one third of its annual production on Valentine’s Day each year. The appellation has a specific rule permitting the early release of wine (a month and a half earlier than the other crus) to take advantage of the famous holiday.
Where to Buy Cru Beaujolais Wine
With tiny allocations and growing global demand, the wines of Cru Beaujolais are difficult to source. Thankfully, our partnerships with the top suppliers in Europe grant us access to the best.
How many Beaujolais crus are there?
The 10 Beaujolais crus differ in character. The following three crus produce the lightest-bodied Beaujolais and are typically intended to be consumed within three years of the vintage.
How long does a cru Beaujolais last?
The last four crus produce the fullest bodied examples of Cru Beaujolais that need the most time ageing in the bottle and are usually meant to be consumed between four and 10 years after harvest.
What is Beaujolais wine made of?
Beaujolais ( / ˌboʊʒəˈleɪ / BOH-zhə-LAY, French: [boʒɔlɛ]) is a French Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine generally made of the Gamay grape, which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. Like most AOC wines they are not labeled varietally.
What is the southern half of the Gamay region?
The southern half of the region, also known as the Bas Beaujolais, has flatter terrain with richer, sandstone and clay based soils with some limestone patches. The Gamay grape fares differently in both regions-producing more structured, complex wines in the north and more lighter, fruity wines in the south.
Which wine region produces more wine than Burgundy?
In some vintages, Beaujolais produces more wine than the Burgundy wine regions of Chablis, Côte d'Or, Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais put together. The wine takes its name from the historical Province of Beaujolais, a wine-producing region.
What is the capital of Beaujolais?
The historical capital of the province is Beaujeu ( Bôjor / Biôjœr in Arpitan) and the economic capital of the area is Villefranche-sur-Saône ( Velafranche ). Many of Beaujolais vineyards are found in the hillside on the outskirt of Lyons in the eastern portion of the region along the Saône valley.
How many acres are there in Beaujolais?
Beaujolais is a large wine-producing region, larger than any single district of Burgundy. There are over 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres) of vines planted in a 34 miles (55 km) stretch of land that is between 7 and 9 miles (14 km) wide (11 to 14 km).
What grapes are in Beaujolais?
Red and Rose Beaujolais are made with Gamay and White Beaujolais is made with Chardonnay, but the local rules do allow some other grapes. Beaujolais AOC and Beaujolais Villages AOC permit the following grapes in red wine (including white grapes!):
What are the three classifications of Beaujolais wine?
The wines of Beaujolais are divided into three in three Classifications: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, and Beaujolais Crus. 1. Beaujolais AOC. Straightforwardly delicious wines, coming mostly from the south. The French consider these Festive wines, perfect for parties and hangouts. But we also love good examples with food, ...
How many bottles of Beaujolais are there in 2019?
In 2019 there were 70 million bottles of Beaujolais made, across all 12 appellations. Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages each produce about 17 million bottles of wine, The Crus each make much less wine, ranging from Chénas (1 million) to Morgon (7.3 million).
What is Beaujolais Villages AOC?
Beaujolais Villages AOC. Delicious and accessible wines from more esteemed terroirs in the northern half of Beaujolais. The French call these Expressive wines, and consider them better for slightly more elevate cuisines because of their touch of extra structure and complexity.
How many Beaujolais appellations are there?
Quick Facts on Appellations: The three classifications (Beaujolais AOC, Beaujolais Village AOC and the Beaujolais Crus actually make up 12 distinct Beaujolais Appellations, since there are actually 10 Crus, each of which is an AOC.
What is the winemaking technique in Beaujolais?
Winemaking in Beaujolais. Winemakers generally use the relatively quick “carbonic maceration” technique , a local tradition that gives wine with less tannin and complexity than a traditional fermentation, but with lovely freshness and very pretty fruit flavors and aromatics. Not surprisingly, the wines tend to be simpler than wines from Beaujolais Villages or the Ten Crus: fresh, fruity and super-easy to enjoy.
Where is Beaujolais AOC?
Most of the AOC is in the south, although the AOC does extend in a thin band up the eastern side of the region. In the south of Beaujolais , where we find most of the Beaujolais AOC, the land is flatter and the soils tend to be richer, with more clay in the soils and some sandstone, and less of the granite and schist that define so many of the north’s terroirs. Although rare, a wine labelled Beaujolais AOC couldactually come from Beaujolais Villages or one of the Crus, since winemakers can always choose to “declassify” their wines from Beaujolais Villages or a Cru into Beaujolais AOC.
