Beaujolais Flashcards
Dominant grape variety in Beaujolais? How many percent planted?
Gamay, 96% planted.
Climate in Beaujolais?
Continental, slightly warmer than rest of Burgundy.
How much rainfall in Beaujolais?
750mm per year
What moderates extreme temperatures in Beaujolais?
The river Saone.
The Beaujolais region is affected by a cool wind, what is the wind called?
Mistral winds.
What can the cold Mistral winds affect in Beaujolais?
Flowering, leading to millerandange. Can also damage leaves and grapes at end of ripening. This is when the thin skins of Gamay are at their most vulnerable.
What do growers do in Beaujolais to reduce the effect of the Mistral winds?
Careful vine orientation and training low to the ground.
In what way does the north of Beaujolais differ from the south regarding topography?
North is hilly, 200-500 m.
What soil types are found in hilly northern Beaujolais?
Fast-draining granite, schist and sandy soils
How are the vineyards in hilly northern Beaujolais situated? Why?
South and south-east facing. For maximum sun exposure.
Gamay with intense fruit character can be found in Beaujolais, what are the site specific properties to create the intensity?
Slopes with good drainage, warm granite soils and good sunlight interception.
Less ripe Gamay can show what characteristic?
Green, leafy character
Traditionally Gamay was trained as bushes. Why?
To give the vine some protection from the wind.
Why are most Gamay picked by hand in Beaujolais?
Whole bunches are required for semi-carbonic maceration which is common in Beaujolais.
Is chaptalisation common or uncommon in Beaujolais?
Common, particularly in the cooler years.
Time on skins for Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village?
4-5 days
What is the aim with time on skins in Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village?
Enhance fruitiness and depth of colour to make a wine for early consumption.
In Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village you will find red fruit, but also two other aromas typical of the production method (semi-carbonic) - which ones?
Kirsch and blueberry
Cru Beaujolais can be made with two methods, which ones?
Semi-carbonic with extended maceration time (10-20 days) OR destemmed and crushed like any other traditional red wine.
Cru Beaujolais may be aged in what type of vessels?
Small or large barrels, with a small percentage new oak.
What is Cru Beaujolais, when aged in barrels (small percentage new oak), sometimes referred to as a style?
As being Burgundian in style.