Is it Saturday, May 16 yet? I’m thrilled to be hosting the latest #Winophiles chat about the stunning wines of Cru Beaujolais on that date at 11am Eastern on Twitter. Having visited the region for a week long work trip one autumn, it’s always a joy to revisit the wines here at home and reminisce about my conversations and learning moments with so many generous, authentic people who produce memorable wines.
As of now, our #Winophiles group of French wine, food and travel aficionados are happily sipping wines from this fascinating region, pairing choices with an array of foods, exploring the culture of Beaujolais and truth be told, planning their own visit to one of my favorite wine regions in the world. The best news of all is that you’re invited to join the virtual journey. Details are found below, but first…
About Beaujolais
Beaujolais is bordered by the Mâconnais region to the north, the Monts du Lyonnais hills to the south, the Saone River Valley to the east, and the Monts du Beaujolais hills that are the foothills to the Massif Central to the west. Vineyards stretch 55 km from the north to south and 25km from the east to west. Most vineyards are on south-southeast facing slopes that are, on average, 300 meters above sea level.
Photo Credit: www.discoverbeaujolais.com
With often harsh winters, rainy springs, hot and dry summers, and mild autumns, Beaujolais enjoys a temperate semi-continental climate. Diverse soils, including alluvial clay, flinty clay, pink and blue granite, limestone rock, river stones, and in some areas, sand, provide a unique foundation. Here, the Gamay Noir grape, the only red grape cultivated in Beaujolais, and Chardonnay, the sole white grape that accounts for a mere 5% of total production and only 2% of vineyard surface, thrive.
Granite rock in Beaujolais
The Gamay grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais, has found its true expression in Beaujolais. During my tastings in the region, the grape showed a variety of qualities, depending on its terroir and winemaking style, and was just as enticing enjoyed young as it was from an older vintage. Bright and aromatic, notes of fresh red fruit such as raspberries and cherries, rich blackberries and black cherries, red flowers, and black pepper were predominant in the wines I tasted. Elements of vibrant fresh fruit and white blossoms characterized the Chardonnay I sipped.
About Cru Beaujolais
A Cru designation indicates that the wine is produced from a geographic restricted area that has agreed to adhere to specific rules. Known through the years for their wines of highest quality based on distinctive terroir, climate, winemaking style and more, the ten crus of Beaujolais (Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Côte de Brouilly, and Brouilly) are distinctive and exceptional. (Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages AOCs, the most expansive wine growing areas, are not considered crus, although wines and stories from these areas are those to discover, too…perhaps another time!)
Chénas
The ten crus from north to south are:
Saint Amour – Just a stone’s throw from Mâconnais is Saint Amour, a beautiful, pastoral village with rolling hills and diverse soils of ancient alluvial clay, flinty clay, granite, slate, and limestone rock. Elegant and refined, the wines can be light and “gourmand” with floral notes or powerful and bold with elements of spice and deep red fruit.
Juliénas – One of the oldest Crus and named after Julius Ceasar, igneous rock and alluvial soils with a line of volcanic “blue stone” are located on extremely steep slopes. Minerality and sophistication along with notes of red fruit, purple flowers and hint of cinnamon and pepper are characteristics of wines from this area.
Chénas – The smallest appellation in Beaujolais takes its name from the ancient oak forests that covered the area centuries ago. High, steep granite hills to the west and a gently sloping landscape with volcanic soil and round river stones to the east lend a unique palate profile to the full-bodied wines characterized by floral notes and plenty of spice.
Moulin-à-Vent – The classic monument surrounded by vineyards is the windmill, Moulin. Vines planted on pink granite rock produce Gamay that is full bodied and complex with floral aromas and rich red fruit. Known for its ability to age, these complex, serious wines define prestige and power.
Fleurie – Incredibly elegant and enjoyable, the wines from this Cru are voluptuous, romantic, and refined with notes of just-picked purple flowers and fresh red fruit. Over 90% of the terroir is pink granite and vineyards are located on dramatic, steep inclines.
One foot in Chiroubles, the other in Fleurie
Chiroubles – The altitude of Chiroubles is the highest of all the ten Crus. Pink granite is the predominant soil type, yet sandy soils are found as well. Smooth and racy, Gamay from Chiroubles presents a fresh profile of red fruits and a basket of delicate flowers plucked from the garden.
Morgon – The second largest Cru, the Mont du Py dominates the area and the soils are as diverse. Granite soils, seams of “blue stone”, alluvial soils and clay blocks are the bedrock upon which vineyards are located. The notable Cote du Py vineyards are composed of disintegrated slate. Full bodied and textured, ripe stone fruit, minerality, spice and lush red fruit notes in the wines are distinctive.
Régnié – The newest Cru (as of 1988), Régnié offers wines that are delicate, fresh and supple. Mostly sandy granite soil on slopes of differing inclines facing southeast, grapes ripen early and display notes of red, purple and black fruit with spice and minerality. Of note in the village is the famous church that has two spires.
Côte de Brouilly – Planted on steep, stony slopes, vineyards consist of blue stone and shale soils. Côte de Broully produces delicate, generous wines that exude notes of blackberries, pepper and minerality. According to Rabelais, the ogre Garganua created Mont Brouilly by turning over a bucket of stones and legend has it that a lieutenant in the Roman army, Brulius, named the mountain.
Brouilly – For classic French charm, visit Brouilly, a lovely town whose chapel is appropriately named, Notre Dame aux Raisins (Our Lady of the Grapes). Half of the Cru is composed of steep slopes of pink granite and half is a mix of clay, blue stone, volcanic pebbles, and limestone rock. Fruit forward with aromas and flavors of plum, red berries and minerality, wines are meant to be enjoyed while young.
Explore Cru Beaujolais with the #Winophiles on May 16
Join the conversation on Twitter at 11am Eastern on Saturday, May 16. Use the hashtag #Winophiles and share your thoughts about wines from Cru Beaujolais, experiences you’ve had in the region, “ah-ha” moments with food and wine pairings, and so much more! I hope to see you there!
What are we writing about? Check it out!
Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm experiences “A Casual COVID19 Visit with Charcuterie and Chateau de Poncie Le Pre Roi Fleurie”
Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Cam pairs “Tuna Pâté + Joseph Drouhin Hospices De Belleville Brouilly 2016”
Jill at l’Occasion explores “Soil + Wind: Tasting Cru Beaujolais with Château du Moulin-à-Vent”
Payal of Keep the Peas is “Welcoming Summer with a Berry Delicious Brouilly”
Lynn at Savor the Harvest finds “Fleurie – The Princess Queen of Beaujolais Crus #Winophiles”
Jane at Always Ravenous explores “Cru Beaujolais: Tasting and Food Pairings”
Jeff at Food, Wine, Click enjoys “Cru Beaujolais at the Grill”
Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles shares “Flowers for Julien – Beaujolais in May”
Linda at My Full Wine Glass discovers “Gamay and Granite – A Beaujolais Love Story #Winophiles”
Susannah Gold at Avvinare finds “Cru Beaujolais – An Endless Discovery”
Pinny at Chinese Food and Wine Pairing discovers “Cru Beaujolais – Cedric Lathuiliere Fleurie Paired with Frog Legs #Winophiles”
Nicole at Somms Table explains “Julien Sunier Régnié and a Focaccia Fail”
Lauren at The Swirling Dervish meets “Morgon de Jean-Pau Thévenet, One of the Beaujolais Gang of Four”
Kat at The Corkscrew Concierge is “Exploring the Differences & Pairing Versatility of Cru Beaujolais”
Martin at Enofylz Wine Blog considers “A Taste of Chénas, Beaujolais’ Rarest Cru”
Over here at Grape Experiences, I’m loving “The Wines of Fleurie – An Enchanting Introduction to Cru Beaujolais”
Cheers! ~ Cindy
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