France - Beaujolais Appellations Flashcards
What is Beaujolais Nouveau a category of, what can it be labelled as and what is a synonym?
Red wine within AOC regulations, therefore it can be labelled as Beaujolais Nouveau AOC or Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau AOC depending on where its grown.
Primeur is an authorised synonym for Nouveau.
According to French wine law, what is the earliest any AOC wine can be released? How does Nouveau differ to this?
15th December (although many AOC require longer).
An exception was made for the style, and can be sold from the third Thursday of November.
How are Beaujolais Nouveau wines made?
Carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration.
Some undergo MLC, others do not.
Fining and sterile filtration is common, as is moderate to high use of SO2 (especially if MLC has not taken place, to ensure it doesn’t later happen in bottle).
Bottled 3-5 days after fermentation is finished.
What area does Beaujolais AOC encompass?
The whole area, although in practice it covers the south of the region, as the North is dedicated to Beaujolais-Villages AOC
What is the maximum yield for Beaujolais AOC?
60hL/ha, resulting in some wines with low flavour intensity.
When can Beaujolais AOC wines be sold?
Mid January after harvest, as they’re made in a fresh and fruity style.
What is the general quality and price of Beaujolais AOC
Good and inexpensive.
Why are Beaujolais-Villages AOC wines typically better quality than Beaujolais AOC?
They achieve higher levels of ripeness in the northern parts of Beaujolais.
What is the maximum yield for Beaujolais-Villages AOC?
Marginally lower, at 58hL/ha.
What can also be labelled on Beaujolais-Villages AOC wines?
The specific name of the village if all grapes are sourced from within, although it’s more common to be labelled Beaujolais-Villages.
What is the typical wine style from Beaujolais-Villages AOC?
Purple in colour, with medium intensity fresh red cherry, raspberry, red plum (and often semi carbonic maceration notes).
Medium + to high acidity, light to medium - body, medium alcohol and light to medium tannins.
Good to very good in quality and inexpensive to mid priced.
What is the typical wine style of Beaujolais-Villages when in the hands of top producers? How do they tend to farm and vinify,
Often working organically with old vines, with low intervention that may be aged in oak.
Medium + to pronounced intensity with medium tannins.
Typically very good - outstanding and are premium or super premium priced.
What is the range in size (in ha) of the 10 crus, and which two are the largest?
250-1300ha, Brouilly and Morgon are the largest.
What is the typical wine style from Brouilly AOC?
The most southern and marginally warmer area, producing wines in a lighter, more perfumed style.
What is the typical wine style from Chiroubles AOC?
The cru st the highest altitude, produces lighter and fragrant wines with marked acidity.
