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Beaujolais AOC

The Beaujolais vineyards cover a vast territory of more than 10,000 hectares. Divided into 12 AOCs, the Beaujolais appellation alone represents more than half of the region's production. Gamay is the king of the grape varieties of this appellation producing 90% of red wines. A few hectares of Chardonnay are also present for the vinification of white wines, a confidential production just like that of rosé wines. Beaujolais AOC wines are recognised as fruity, tasty and crispy with low alcohol content. Discover the wines of this appellation with the domains Chermette, Nugues, de Fa or Terres Dorées.

APPELLATION BEAUJOLAIS AOC

TASTING NOTES

RED WINE

Appearance: The colour is clear and brilliant, a lovely carmine red with garnet tints. In very young wines, purple tints appear.

Nose: Intense dominance of freshly picked red fruits. A touch of floral and even vegetal aromas are added to the bouquet marked by raspberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant and strawberry.

Palate: The palate is light and fresh, with intense aromas of fresh red fruits, as on the nose. The whole is supple and round, quite rich and crispy.

Service: 12-14 °C

Ageing potential: 3 to 4 years.

WHITE WINE:

Appearance: The colour is crystal clear, slightly golden.

Nose: Notes of white flowers, green and citrus fruits. Depending on the cuvée, notes of sweet spices might appear on the nose.

Palate: The palate is ample, generous and the notes of fresh fruits of the nose are also found on the palate.

Service: 8-11 °C

Ageing potential: 2 to 3 years.

ROSÉ WINE:

Appearance: The colour is bright with a pinkish tinge between pomelo and peach.

Nose: The bouquet is dominated by red fruit aromas, followed by citrus and floral aromas. The whole has a superb freshness.

Palate: The red fruit aromas of the nose are found on the palate, as is the hint of acidity reminiscent of citrus fruits. The whole is thirst-quenching, with a nice finesse.

Service: 8-11 °C

Ageing potential: 2 to 3 years.

FOOD AND WINE PAIRING

RED WINE The red Beaujolais is an excellent aperitif wine! Enjoy it with raw vegetables, terrines or lightly spiced cheeses. As an accompaniment to a main course, opt for a chicken fricassee or grilled sausages. Red Beaujolais also goes well with some desserts, notably raspberry tarts.

WHITE WINE White Beaujolais goes well with any dish based on fish and seafood in sauce. Enjoy it with a salad of marinated white tuna, a fillet of cod or poultry in a creamy sauce, a seafood risotto.

ROSÉ WINE Enjoy Beaujolais rosé with grilled meats, ham and fresh melon.

MORE INFO

BEAUJOLAIS : LAND OF PIERRES DORÉES (GOLDEN STONES)

In the land of Beaujolais, you may come across this designation. The land of Pierres Dorées is indeed the Beaujolais! This pretty name comes from the local houses, made of limestone with an orange-yellow tint. With the effect of the sun depositing its light on the stones, they take on a pretty golden hue. This effect of light finally gave the region its name.

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU

It is thanks to the craze surrounding Beaujolais nouveau that this appellation has gained international fame. But what exactly is Beaujolais Nouveau? The Beaujolais AOC and Beaujolais Villages AOC are the only AOCs in the region that can market Beaujolais Nouveau. Although the notion of a great celebration around the "new wine" dates back to the Middle Ages, it is only in the last 70 years that Beaujolais Nouveau has become an event not to be missed. Its origin comes from Saint Martin's Day, a festival marking the end of the wine year and therefore the release of the "new" wine in Europe. In 1985, the date of the 3rd Thursday of November officially became the date of the product's release. In short, the arrival of the "new" wine is the trigger for the new vintage.

The aim of the winemakers is to obtain a wine of pure pleasure, fresh, fruity, tender and above all without astringency. Beaujolais Nouveau is indeed a simple wine and quite tasty, which will please the neophytes. However, the estates and producers work year after year to improve their product. In the Beaujolais region, 20% of the production is dedicated to Beaujolais Nouveau.

The term "Primeur" is a synonym for "new wine". Wines with this term are authorised for early marketing by the AOC regulations. For the Beaujolais, this is fixed at the chosen date of the 3rd Thursday in November and cannot be brought forward. The wine is bottled only a few days after the end of the harvest.

The Beaujolais Nouveau rosé really does exist! Its production is still very confidential, however, and some winegrowers are working to develop their range. Curiously enough, rosé Beaujolais Nouveau was first marketed in Japan in 2006, before being marketed in France in 2007! The arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau rosé is in fact due to a demand from the Japanese market, as the Japanese are great fans of Beaujolais Nouveau!