Beaujolias Flashcards
What is the principal grape of Beaujolias?
Gamay
What characteristics do the best gamays share?
Grown in granite soils with low levels of nutrients which limits the yields and increases concentration.
What is the traditional method of pruning in Beajuolias.
Goblet. The vines are pruned to spurs around the head, then shoots are tied together to hold them vertically.
What are the characteristics of Gamay wines?
Fragrant wines with aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit with medium levels of tannin and body.
What are the appellations of hierarchy in Beaujolias?
Beaujolias, followed by Beajuolias Villiages and at the top are the individual appellations of the Beajuolias Crus.
What are the main methods of fermentation for Beaujolais?
Carbonic maceration and seem-carbonic maceration.
When can Beaujolias Nouveau be released to the consumer?
The 3rd Thursday in November after the vintage. It cannot be sold by negotiants after the following August 31st. The 10 crus cannot be sold in this way.
Describe the character of Beaujolias.
Light in body and tannin with red berry fruit and notes of kirsch, banana and cinnamon like spice from carbonic maceration.
How many Beaujolias Villages are there?
- 10 are entitled to their own appellation. These are the Boujolias crus. The four with the greatest production are Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-a-Vent.
Which Villages produce the most structured wines?
Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon. They can improve with bottle aging.
What styles to Brouilly and Fleurie produce?
Lighter and more perfumed styles.
What type fermentation do these wines undergo?
Crushed fruit fermentation, and perhaps oak aging in large vats as opposed to casks. Other producers use semi-carbonic maceration or small proportion of whole bunches to give brighter fruit aromas.
