BEAUJOLAIS
Location
Beaujolais lies to the east of central France, nestled between the Rhône and Burgundy wine regions.
The Nizerand River naturally divides the Beaujolais wine region into two main areas:
Beaujolais Villages to the north of the river.
Beaujolais Nouveau to the south.
The region is known for its red wines made primarily with the Gamay grape, which imparts an exceptionally fresh and fruity flavor.
Grape Variety:
Unlike Burgundy, where Pinot Noir dominates, the red wines of Beaujolais are based on the Gamay grape variety.
Gamay reaches its peak expression in Beaujolais, producing vibrant, fruity wines.
Climate:
Beaujolais benefits from a temperate climate.
The extensive planting of Gamay makes it one of the few regions globally focused on a single grape variety.
History:
The Romans were the first to cultivate vines in Beaujolais.
From the 7th century onward, Benedictine monks played a crucial role in winemaking.
Beaujolais Nouveau, released every third Thursday of November, became a global sensation in the 1980s.
Famous Wines:
Beaujolais Nouveau: A young, vibrant wine fermented for only a few weeks.
Red Beaujolais Wines: Produced using carbonic maceration, resulting in brightly colored wines with low tannins and intense fruity flavors of raspberry and cranberry.