BEAUJOLAIS, · Beaujolais Nouveau is born ! This is the first year of its commercialisation. 1936...

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PRESS CONTACT Inter BeaujolaIsMélina Condy-Benedictél. + 33 (0)4 74 02 22 16 Mobile + 33 (0)6 77 70 08 [email protected]

BEAUJOLAIS,VINEYARDS OF DIVERSITY

PressInformation

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EDITORIAL Beaujolais and its vineyards, a land of diversity ........................................ 4

FOREWARD: Chiaroscuro Gamay noir, the red grape with white flesh, symbol of the Beaujolais .....................................................................5-6

1/ FRESCO: a wine in step with time..................................................7-10a historical overview of the vines and wines of Beaujolais

2/ EXPRESSIONISM: the earth, vines and man ..................................11-14

From the vineyard to the cellar; methods and skills 3/ IMPRESSIONISM: A Beaujolais for all Tastes ! ...............................15-32

Discover, taste, match and enjoy the wines from Beaujolais 4/ LANDSCAPE: rolling hillsides of vineyards ....................................33-36

Wine routes that traverse the very heart of the terroir 5/ PRACTICAL INFORMATION: the essential facts ..............................37-38

access, key figures

SUMMARY

PARISMÂCON

LYON

Beaujolais

PARIS

MARSEILLE

LYON

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the vineyards of Beaujolais stretch from north to south across 55km of hillsides, bordered to the west by the foothills of the Massif Central and to the east by the saone river plain. situated a stone’s throw from lyon, less than 30 minutes by car, this region’s past as well as its future are closely bound to that of this gastronomic capital, giving it a particular stature. sometimes called the vineyard of lyon or lyon’s ‘third river’, if only one word had to be chosen to resume the Beaujolais it would without any doubt be ‘diversity’. Diversity, first of all, in its landscapes which follow on from one another like so many paintings in a gallery, with Gamay as their common theme. and interleaved amongst the rolling hillsides of vines come forests, plains and winding roads across the departments of the rhone and the saone-et-loire. the decor is green, varied, rich and inspiring, with wild natural scenery of mountains to the north and beautiful tuscan like vistas to the south where the sun reflects

off the golden stone in infinite and subtle variations of light.and of course diversity in its wines which also offer an astonishing variety and subtlety. so much so that everyone can find tHe perfect Beaujolais to suit them. these emblematic vineyards of France have a wealth of secrets to discover. the welcome extended to visitors is as great as the celebrity of the wines, with simplicity and sharing as its watchwords. this land, sculpted over centuries by generations of men and women through their daily work, is incarnated in the 12 appellations (aoCs).

BEAUJOLAIS , VINEYARDS OF DIVERSITY

EDITORIAL

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In Praise of Gamay

Implanted in the region since the beginning of the XVIIth century, this grape variety and these vineyards share a common history. Here Gamay found the ideal setting in which to develop its many facets of finesse and expression. With a preference for granite soils it is nevertheless very adaptable. Visually, the grapes with their delicate dark violet coloured skins are cylindrical in shape growing in compact bunches surrounded by flat, even-edged leaves. Historically it was a variety that existed widely in France before the Phylloxera epidemic, covering more than 160 000 hectares. today, of the 30 000 hectares existing in the world, over 50% are in the Beaujolais where it represents 98% of the vines.a cross between Pinot noir and Gouais, Gamay’s versatility means that it is just as capable of producing elegant wines that can be consumed young as wines for laying down. In phase with modern tastes, it produces wines that are low in alcohol, supple and fruity. this early maturing grape produces beautifully bright and limpid red wines which are superbly aromatic, with dominant notes of raspberry, wild strawberry, blackberry and black cherry, sometimes with slightly peppery and floral notes. Gamay demands great skill and meticulous care. the winemakers of Beaujolais have long understood this and over the years have developed unsurpassed experience which has enabled them to tame its exuberance and bring out all its qualities.

In 2010 Inter Beaujolais, in collaboration with Armonia decided to promote Gamay via the 1st

edition of the International Gamay Competition, designed to promote the image and increase the notoriety of this grape amongst consumers and producers worldwide.

CHIAROSCURO Gamay noir, the red grape with white flesh, symbol of the Beaujolais

FOREWARD

Did you know ?

Château de l’Eclair, which belongs to SICAREX Beaujolais (a technical support organisation for Beaujolais) is a 19 hectare site dedicated to experimental research in viticulture originally created by Victor Vermorel. Since 2003 SICAREX have undertaken a vast programme baptised ‘The Gamay Observatory’ whose objective is to collect and conserve the widest variety of Gamay in the world. For more information: www.chateaudeleclair.com

( In parenthesis )Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a rarer grape in Beaujolais, where it represents only around 2% of the surface

of vines, but reveals a beautiful expressivity. Thriving in poor soils of marl and limestone, the grape bunches are formed of small, rounded

berries of a lovely golden colour at maturity, which produce balanced, powerful and generous wines with characteristic aromas of dried fruits, toasted hazelnuts, exotic fruit and

rich buttery notes, giving wines of great complexity.

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FRESCO

1937 Creation of AOC Beaujolais.

1946Creation of AOC Saint-Amour.

1951Beaujolais Nouveau is born ! This is the first year of its commercialisation.

1936 Creation of AOC Chiroubles, Chénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent and Fleurie.

59 BCFrance is under Roman occupation. Archaeological discoveries attest to the emergence of viticulture in the region.

JC

XIIIth century The seigneurie de Beaujeu makes its mark on the history of

France, giving the name Beaujolais to these vineyards situated north of Lyon, the historic capital of this vine growing area.

XVIth century Wine production is still negligible compared to other agricultural produce and its consumption remains purely local.

XVIIth century Viticulture evolves. This period marks a critical point in the development of vine growing in the region. Urban growth due to the proximity of the rivers Saone and Rhone creates a rise in demand and viticultural activity experiences strong growth, turning to Lyon for its market. Beaujolais becomes the premier supplier of the famous ‘Bouchons’ and taverns of Lyon. Traditionally served in a ‘pot’, wine is in pride of place on every table.

1938 Creation of AOC Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly and Juliénas.

1950 Creation of AOC Beaujolais Villages.

1953 The first cellar devoted to tasting and the sale of Beaujolais opens its doors at Morgon, in the cave of the Chateau de Foncrenne; an avant-garde idea which is to develop into a showcase for the entire appellation.

1988 Creation of AOC Régnié.

2009The welcome charter ”Beaujolais, one land, many wines, a warm welcome “ is introduced for all the wine tasting cellars open to the public for the sale of wine. Listed in the guide to Wine Tourism in Beaujolais, the 94 members in the first edition have grown to 184 today. A study of the terroirs of Beaujolais and their characteristics is embarked upon.

2010The Beaujolais Wine Routes are redesigned to reflect the structure of the vineyards. 7 GPS circuits, auto-guided using geo-location, are made available on line, downloadable on www.beaujolais.com

2011Beaujolais is the first wine producing region to publish a magazine on iPad. A free application is designed for smartphones.

2012The second iPad edition of the Wines of Beaujolais magazine is issued.

2013Bistrots Beaujolais launch a smartphone application which can find the nearest restaurant and its opening hours. In parallel an Instagram competition is launched which consists of taking and publishing original photos representing memorable instants and moments which capture the spirit of Beaujolais. Each photograph must be accompanied by the mention #INSTANTBEAUJOLAIS.

1927 The first Beaujolais cave co-operative opens: the « Cave des Producteurs des Grands Vins de Fleurie ».

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1985To simplify the distribution and sale of the 500 000 hectolitres of Beaujolais Nouveaux that are produced each year, a release date of the third Thursday of November is fixed by decree.

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Some of the great men of Beaujolais

• Doctor Claude Bernard (1813 Saint-Julien-sous-Montmelas - 1878 Paris)was one of the founders of experimental medicine, responsible notably for discovering the glycogenic function of the liver.

• Victor Pulliat (1827-1896,Chiroubles) was an ampelographer whose research contributed greatly to the reconstitution of the vineyards after the phylloxera epidemic, thanks to grafting.

• Victor Vermorel (1848 Beauregard - 1927 Villefranche-sur-Saône) installed an experimental viticultural workshop in his family’s agricultural machinery premises. His inventions (injector and sprayer) helped in the fight against mildew at the end of the XIXth century.

• Sometimes known as « Papa Bréchard », Louis Bréchard (1904-2000, Chamelet) was a vinegrower and fervent union member. He was notably president of the Union Viticole Beaujolaise for 20 years and is considered by some to be one of the fathers of Beaujolais Nouveau.

these vineyards are rich in history, and have been fashioned by emblematic personalities. the romans were the first to develop vine growing and the name Cru julienas, often cited historically as the origin of Beaujolais, is closely linked to the influence of julius Caesar. In the Middle ages the city of Beaujeu lent its name to Beaujolais. Posed in the midst of vine-clad hillsides, it was the dominion of the local overlords of the same name (the third most important group of nobles

in the 13th century), and still remains the historic heart of the region, although Villefranche-sur-saone today claims title to the official capital. the Counts of Macon, the archbishops of lyon and the abbots of Cluny all possessed lands here and contributed to the development of the vineyards.a summary of the important dates and the four key personalities in the history of Beaujolais:

A WINE IN STEP WITH TIME

FRESCO

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An Expressive Climate

Beaujolais is subject to three principal climatic influences : continental currents, oceanic air movements and Mediterranean winds. the climate is temperate (average 11.3°C) with a wide difference in temperatures between summer and winter. the Haut-Beaujolais mountain range, culminating at an altitude of 1000 metres, shelters the vines and the saone river acts as a regulator of extreme temperatures. the dominant west winds are drying when they rise up the west-facing slopes, and warm the atmosphere when they descend on the eastern sides, and rainfall is average (739mm/year). the hillsides, oriented principally east and south, benefit from optimum sunshine exposure and luminosity.

In the Cellar

the “Beaujolais” winemaking method is unique and original.

the grapes are hand-picked then subject to semi-carbonic whole bunch maceration, liberating both colour and tannins. at the end of the maceration period the juice is run off and the fermented grapes are pressed. the pressed juice and the free-run juice are then re-assembled and undergo alcoholic fermentation together followed by a second fermentation known as malolactic fermentation, which transforms the malic acid into lactic acid. the period in vats varies from 4 to 5 days for the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages nouveaux and 6 to 9 days for Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages destined for ageing. the Crus can macerate for 10 to 20 days and are in general matured in cask or in barrel.

although it remains traditional, whole bunch maceration is no longer the only method used in Beaujolais. there are as many possibilities of winemaking as there are winemakers, and the practice of partial or full de-stemming is developing.

THE EARTH, VINES, AND MAN

EXPRESSIONISM

Did you know ?

Paradise is indeed to be found in Beaujolais! It is the name given to the first press juice from whole grapes; an intensely fruity juice with little tannin which is celebrated in style each year at the beginning of October. ( (

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landscapes bear testimony to the passage of time. subject to transformation, they conjugate local conditions of soil, climate, vegetation and fauna with the actions of man who see them as a series of conquests and problems to be resolved.

the landscapes of Beaujolais commence at the wide, fertile agricultural saone valley, with its crops and its farmsteads, giving way to gentle slopes of vines and finishing on the craggy foothills of the Beaujolais Mountains.

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Terra Vitis®, the emblem of forward

thinking vineyards It was in Beaujolais that Terra Vitis was inaugurated in 1998. It is a group of vine-growers with exacting

standards, motivated by respect for nature and mankind, which today counts more than 500 members across the whole of France (fifty of whom work in Beaujolais), ranging from the newly installed grower to the traditional domains, united in

their choice of non-polluting sustainable viticulture. Terra Vitis is the only viticultural accreditation recognized in France today that is equal to level 2 High Environmental Value.

Terra Vitis® on the social networks :Facebook: www.facebook.com/terravitis.durable

twitter : @TerraVitis www.terravitis.com

Vineyard management

Work practices in the vineyards were completely revised a decade ago under the impulsion of the Beaujolais Vine-growers union (l’union des Vignerons du Beaujolais) and accredited in 2009 by a new specifications charter which replaced the existing decrees. the aim was to encourage environmentally respectful viticulture, reduce production costs, increase wine quality and facilitate transmission to future generations.

Pruning methods are no longer dominated by the goblet system, but increasingly other methods are being adopted such as fan pruning, single cordon (trellising) double guyot, or charmet for the Crus and Beaujolais Villages.

Even though mechanical harvesting is permitted, the majority is still hand-picked for reasons of quality but also practicality due to the implantation on steep hillsides. 5000 vines per hectare is the minimum authorized for Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages, and 6000 for the Crus.

As pioneers in reasoned viticulture, Beaujolais adopted ecological practices long before the advent of « Ecophyto 2018 »*. More than 200 producers work using reasoned agricultural practices and this tendency, motivated by respect for the environment, is continually developing.

at the beginning of 2017, there were about 100 organically Certified domains(or in the course of certification), representing around 500 hectares.

* Plan launched in 2008 designed to progressively reduce the use of phytosanitary products in France whilst maintaining economically efficient agriculture.

Did you know ?

Beaujolais is « heroic »

Running from north east to south west, rows of vines cover the hillsides of the Beaujolais Mountains at an average altitude of 300 metres, with the summits attaining some 1000 metres. The vineyards of the region Rhone Alps, of which the Beaujolais form part, subscribe to the Centre for Research, Environmental Sustainability and Advancement of Mountain Viticulture. This type of vine culture is qualified as ‘heroic’ due to the involvement and human effort that is necessary, imposed by the difficulty of the mountain environment; here the work of the vine-grower is elevated to an art form. To be classed as ‘heroic’ the vineyards must be over 500 metres altitude or on inclines greater than 30%. The implications are multiple: cultural, ecological, and geographical. 50% of the vineyards of Beaujolais are on slopes of over 10%, and 6%, or 1260 hectares are on slopes of more than 30%. Quincié is the steepest village with 167 hectares of its slopes over 30%, and Chiroubles, for the Cru, with 66 hectares.

( (Beaujolais, big-hearted and engaging

this unique terroir and single grape variety is an infinite source of pleasure for young vine-growers, who can invest here for the future at reasonable cost. through dedication and hard work they aspire to preserve and enhance the terroirs of Beaujolais that represent their future, and today young vine-growers represent 20% of the region’s producers. Beaujolais is truly a land of opportunity, with some of the most important wine producers in France and from abroad having bought land here, convinced of the potential of these vines.

For more information see « le Beaujolais (a) de l’avenir » (the Future lies in Beaujolais) available to download on www.beaujolais.com

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Intense and generous (serve between 15°C and 17°C): aoC Chénas, Côte de Brouilly, juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-VentPair with: Meat casseroles, creamy poultry dishes, rare beef or steak tartar, offal, smoked meats, and mature soft cheese such as Brie…aoC Chénas matches well with pig’s trotters and rabbit stew, an aoC Côte de Brouilly is perfect with poached Dombes quail’s eggs in wine sauce, aoC juliénas is a good match for chicken liver terrine ‘à l’ancienne’, a tournedos Milotier will complement an aoC Morgon, and an aoC Moulin-à-Vent is an ideal companion for 7 hour lamb shanks with potato and chive puree.

Refined and aromatic (serve between 15°C and 17°C): aoC Brouilly, Chiroubles, Fleurie, régnié, saint-amourPair with: Duck, guinea fowl, quails, thin slices of charcuterie, parsley seasoned ham, veal, lamb or soft crust cheeses such as Camembert…serve aoC Brouilly with a Brouilly granita and strawberries, an aoC Chiroubles will reveal all its finesse with a supreme of red mullet, a free range chicken calls for an aoC Fleurie, lyon style tripe is excellent with aoC régnié, and an aoC saint-amour marries perfectly with a slow cooked Bresse chicken.

Fruity and gourmand (serve between 13°C and 14°C): aoC Beaujolais, white, red and rosé; aoC Beaujolais Villages, white, red and rosé Pair with: Fish such as salmon, seafood and shellfish, white meats and a selection of cheeses with the white wines ; rabbit or pork, and creamy risottos with the rosés ; red meat and charcuterie with the red wines. Be audacious with white aoC Beaujolais paired with a chestnut tart, with an aoC Beaujolais rosé trya chartreuse of sardines marinated in olive oil and lemon, an aoC Beaujolais red will perfectly accompany a duck fillet with caramelised onions and orange zest. a white aoC Beaujolais Villages is sublime with florentine style pike. aoC Beaujolais Villages rosé is a delight for the senses with scallops and marinated vegetables with pancetta. red aoC Beaujolais Villages is ideal with swiss chard au gratin.

* More ideas and recipes on www.beaujolais.com, in the section « Pleasure ».

A BEAUJOLAIS FOR ALL OCCASIONS !

IMPRESSIONISM

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Beaujolais covers a vast area from the south of Macon to north of lyon, encompassing almost 16 000 hectares of vines, practically all planted with Gamay (98%). the regional aoCs are situated generally in the southern part and the communal aoCs in the north. this wide palette of wines offers a veritable kaleidoscope of possibilities to meet all occasions. the reds are

amongst the rare red wines that match well with fish and seafood. the rich selection promises an infinite number of “Beaujolais Instants”; from an improvised aperitif with friends, to a family sunday lunch or a celebratory dinner, there’s a Beaujolais for all occasions.

Taste, match

Beaujolais wines can be classed in three categories: «Intense and generous», «Refined and aromatic», «Fruity and gourmand». Here are a few ideas to bring out all their potential

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As seen from Beaujolais:

> the auberge de Clochemerle with Delphine Barthe

• Her preferred Beaujolais : a Chénas

• Pairing: roast pigeon with bulgur, celeriac and preserved kumquats.

Recipe for roast pigeon with bulgur, celeriac and preserved kumquats

Serves 42 pigeons • 100 gr of bulgur • 100 gr of celeriac • 20 gr of preserved kumquats • 10 cl of pigeon stock • salt & pepper

• Slice off the pigeon breasts and thighs.• Cook the bulgur in boiling salted water. • Peel and cube the celeriac and cook in boiling salted water,

drain and rinse in cold water.• Prepare the kumquats in julienne slices.• Brown the breasts and thighs in olive oil, and baste with butter

at the end of cooking. • Arrange on a plate and spoon over reduced pigeon stock.

As seen from Lyon:

> le Bouchon des Filles with laura Vildi

• Her preferred Beaujolais: a Cru Fleurie

• Pairing: Crispy black pudding and apple parcels with fine herb salad - andouillette Parmentier

Recipe for crispy black pudding and apple parcels with fine herb salad

Serves 42 Pink lady apples • 50 gr of butter • 600gr of black pudding• a mixed bunch of chervil, dill, tarragon, parsley, and chives • 1 radicchio salad • 4 sheets of filo pastry • olive oil • vinegar • salt & pepper

• Peel, core and quarter the apples, then sauté in a little butter. • Cut the black pudding into portions of 150 gr per person and

slice each portion in half. • Prepare the fine herb salad with sprigs of chervil, dill,

tarragon, parsley and chopped chives and fold into the radicchio leaves.

• Unroll a sheet of filo pastry and arrange the black pudding pieces on it in a t shape with an apple quarter on each side.

• Fold both sides of the pastry towards the centre to form an envelope.

• Cook with butter in a skillet for around 10 minutes, until crispy. • Arrange on a plate, and top with the vinaigrette dressed

salad .

Chefs’ choice…The sommeliers of two restaurants which are members of Bistrots Beaujolais share their favourite recipes which form an ideal match for their preferred Beaujolais Cru.

« You can find more delicious recipe ideas in the ‘Vins du Beaujolais’ cookery book »

the 10 Beaujolais Crus follow the course of the river saone. starting in the north at the edge of the Macon region we find saint-amour, followed by juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie,

Chiroubles, and then Morgon and régnié, and finally in the very south, Côte de Brouilly and Brouilly. all names synonymous with pleasure, and, once again, diversity.

From North to South - An encounter with 10 Beaujolais Crus.

IMPRESSIONISM

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Did you know ?

With its highly evocative name, Saint Amour is the favourite wine of couples, and a special Saint Valentine cuvee is created each year. 20 to 25% of its production is thus consumed on the 14th

February every year both in France and abroad.

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surface-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------304 hectares

Production in 2016-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 178 hectolitres / more than 2 million bottles

soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the soils are of an enormous diversity, including not only ancient alluvial clay and flinty clay but also granite, slate and even limestone rock. the altitude is between 240 and 320 metres with moderate inclines.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Vivacity, refinement and balance, capturing all the fruit characters of Gamay

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Clear ruby red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kirsch, spices, peony, iris, raspberry, violet

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------lively with good balance; fruity and floral

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------aoC saint-amour is situated in the commune of the same name in the department of saone-et-loire. Its heterogeneous soils of granite, slate and clay give rise to two types of wine – light and gourmand with aromas of iris and violet, and often raspberry, but also powerful and complex with aromas of kirsch and spice.

Profile - saint-amourWarm, intense reds


Production in 2016-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22 601 hectolitres / more than 3 000 000 bottles

soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the greater part of the soils consists of a line of “blue stone” formed from an amalgamation of slate and diorites. the slopes are extremely steep and mostly south facing, giving way to ancient alluvial plains and clay sub-soils to the east.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Minerality, freshness, elegance

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Intense, deep ruby red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------red fruits such as strawberry and redcurrant, cinnamon, and floral notes of violet and peony

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------strawberry, violet, cinnamon, redcurrant and peony

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------spread across 4 communes, mainly in the rhône and partly in the saône-et-loire, this terroir benefits from good sunshine exposure. the average altitude varies between 230 and 430 metres in the extreme north-west. the vineyards probably have the greatest diversity of soils in all of Beaujolais: slate, diorites, sandstone and clay.

Profile - juliénasWines of character

IMPRESSIONISM

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soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this is a terroir of great contrasts oriented west/east. to the west are high and steep granite hills, whilst to the east the terrain becomes more gently sloping with its ancient alluvial soils and layers of small round river stones.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Distinctiveness and sophistication

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ruby red with garnet highlights

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Floral, with peony and rose, with nuances of spice

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Generous, full bodied and smooth

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this is the smallest appellation in Beaujolais. Its name is derived from the ancient oak forests that formerly covered the area, cut down by the gallo-romans and then by the local monks by order of Philippe V the long. the vines stretch out over rolling hills and valleys, where the Gamay grape expresses notes of small black fruits, peony and spices underpinned by soft tannins.

Profile - Chénasa veritable jewel



soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this Cru is implanted largely on soils of pink granite with hills of gentler contours due to its medium altitude. the vines thrive on these moderate slopes of evolved granite.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------a wine of personality and prestige

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Deep ruby red with dark garnet gleams

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blackcurrant, liquorice, faded rose and ripe fruits

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Full bodied and complex

Characteristics -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------standing at 278 metres surrounded by vineyards, the windmill (Moulin), a classified historic monument, embodies the prestige and the pride of this appellation. straddling two communes, it benefits from a homogenous terroir. With good tannins and lots of body, this is uncontestably a wine for laying down (up to 10 years depending on the vintage), developing aromas of iris, faded roses, spices and ripe fruits with notes of underwood and truffles. In its youth it offers floral and fruity aromas of violet and cherry.

Profile - Moulin-à-VentCharacter and power !

IMPRESSIONISM

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Production in 2016-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27 732 hectolitres / approx. 3 700 000 bottles

soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------a terroir with an archetypal granitic soil, with over 90% of pink granite, with here and there variations in evolution and depth with the formation of clay strata. the landscape is also characterised by its very steep, sometimes dramatic inclines.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------elegance and voluptuousness

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carmine red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Iris, violet, rose, red fruits and vine peaches

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------elegant, refined

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this appellation has the geographical particularity of sloping down from a ridge made up of a series of peaks: the fût d’avenas, the Col de Durbize, the Col des labourons, and the Pic raymont. the mount of la Madone towers over the appellation offering a fabulous panorama over all the vineyards. It is situated entirely in the commune of Fleurie which owes its name to a roman legionary.

Profile - FleurieDivine landscapes - feminine wines


Production in 2016-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 252 hectolitres / approx. 850 000 bottles

soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Homogenous pink granite forms the main soil type of these steep slopes whose altitude is the highest of all the 10 crus. the soils are also extremely meagre and sandy.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Vivacity and smoothness

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ruby red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Floral, with iris, lily of the valley, violet and peony

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------red fruit

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this appellation is situated north of the rhône, in the heart of Chiroubles, nestling on hillsides which form an arena around the village. these are the highest vines in Beaujolais, culminating at 250 to 450 metres altitude on the edge of the Beaujolais Mountains. the fine floral aromas of its wines evoke small juicy red fruits, offering great freshness and delicacy.

Profile - ChiroublesInfinitely Gourmand

IMPRESSIONISM

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surface-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 127 hectares


soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Morgon extends over a large area, second only in size to Brouilly, which explains the wide diversity of its soils. Its three principal terroirs encompass granite soils on the hillsides from Villié-Morgon to Corcelette and st joseph, seams of “blue stone” on the summit and the eastern slopes of the Côte du Py giving way progressively to the foothills with their ancient alluvial soils, and finally a curious ‘path’ of clay blocks covers the granite and winds its way along the ridgeway between Morcille and Douby.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Finesse and delicacy

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Garnet red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ripe stone fruit

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Full bodied, rich, powerful, structured

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Dominated by the Mont du Py, this is the most sprawling of the Crus. the famous Côte du Py is composed of disintegrated slate. the wines offer aromas of stone fruits such as black cherry with notes of violet and kirsch. their fine and elegant tannins augur excellent ageing potential.

Profile - MorgonDistinction and constancy.



soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------one of the most granitic crus with slopes of varying inclines, allowing the emergence of soils at different stages of evolution. several of the hilltops are topped with ancient stone formations, whilst at depth it is clay which dominates.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------suppleness and fruit

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cherry or ruby red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------raspberry, redcurrant, plum, blackberry, blackcurrant with spicy and mineral notes

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------red fruits, freshness, fine tannins and good structure

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the village of régnié is famous for its church which has the particularity of possessing two spires (built in 1867 from the architectural plans of Pierre Bossan who went on to design the Basilisk notre-Dame de Fourvière). the vines are planted on hillsides at an average of 350 metres altitude oriented south east. the grapes ripen early here, creating aromatic, diaphanous and gourmand wines rich in mineral elements.

Profile - régniéWines with the wow-factor !

IMPRESSIONISM

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Did you know ?

According to Rabelais, the ogre Gargantua created Mont Brouilly by upturning a bucket of stones. It said that a lieutenant in the Roman army, Brulius,gave it its name. ( (


Production in 2016 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------16 153 hectolitres / more than 2 150 000 bottles

soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------these complex soils are formed of seams of « blue stone » mingled with very resistant micro-diorites and more friable shale. almost two thirds of the vineyards are implanted on steep, stony slopes.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Generosity and elegance

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Purple in colour

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fresh grapes and iris flowers

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Delicate and tensile

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------at the summit and on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, the veritable emblem of the appellation, the vines cover a small area across four communes: saint-lager, odenas, Quincié, and Cercié. the wines of Côte de Brouilly are generous, with fine tannins and aromas evocative of pepper, with small macerated black berry fruits and mineral notes.

Profile - Côte de Brouillythe height of class



soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Probably the most complex of all the Crus: half composed of steep slopes of pink granite and half a mixture of clayey scree, “blue stone”, ancient alluvial pebbles and small limestone hillocks.

attributes-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------absolute finesse

aspect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Deep ruby red

nose-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------aromas of red fruit, plum and mineral notes

Palate-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------red fruit with polished tannins

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this, the southernmost Cru is also the longest, stretching out from the foot of Mont Brouilly and its aptly named chapel, notre Dame aux raisins (our lady of the Grapes). Full of fruit (plum, small red berries), with some mineral notes, it is perfectly representative of Gamay, and is best appreciated in its youth.

Profile - Brouillytypically French charm

IMPRESSIONISM

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soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In the southern part of this the vastest of the Beaujolais appellations, we find soils of marl and rock from the secondary era such as sandstone, white limestone, gryphaea (or fossil) limestone and golden stone. Further east, large outcrops of volcanic rock and shale can be seen, with ancient rock formations occurring on the whole of the eastern side bordering the Crus up to the edge of the Macon region.

reds-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With their lovely carmine colour and delicious aromatic palette, the red wines express all the richness of the Gamay grape. they represent the major part of the aoC Beaujolais production. Bursting with small red fruits and spices, they are gourmand, accessible and juicy, with their aromatic power and abounding floral and fruity aromas making them wines for drinking all year round and on all occasions.

rosés-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Delicate and mouth-watering, the rosés offer a lovely gleaming colour. on the nose they are fragrant and aromatic, expressing a wide range of red fruit and citrus fruit aromas. Fresh and appealing, they are wines of pure enjoyment.

Whites-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Beautifully golden in colour, the white wines are appreciated for their soft freshness, offering generous fruit and intense pleasure. aromas of white fleshed fruits and citrus fruit on the nose complement the fullness of the palate with its agreeable finish.

Characteristics-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------this is a regional appellation whose production zone covers all the 91 communes of the Beaujolais vineyards, making it the largest of the aoCs. situated mainly to the south between arbresle and Belleville, it also includes a few parcels along the eastern side almost as far as saint-amour.

Profile - aoC Beaujolais

aoC Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages are to the south of this vine growing region, extending not far from lyon. these gourmand wines offer immediate tasting pleasure and intense aromatic expression.

Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages, a palette of three colours

IMPRESSIONISM

Did you know ?

If Beaujolais is mainly in the south, the production zone actually extends as far as the extreme north east of the region. As for Beaujolais Villages, it surrounds the range of hills of the 10 Crus. In fact, white AOC Bourgogne can be produced from vines planted in Beaujolais. Chardonnay covers 1000 hectares, but only 270 hectares go to make Beaujolais.

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Did you know ? This was the first appellation in France to use the term « villages ». ( (



soils-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the land here is very steep, sometimes up to a 50% incline. the vines which cling to these slopes face east south east on granite and sandy soils with some volcanic sedimentary rock.

reds-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the ‘Villages’ red wines exist in a great diversity of fruity wines with more complexity and structure than the simple Beaujolais. they are harmonious, focussed and well-structured with expressive aromas of red fruits. they can be appreciated whilst young but also possess good ageing potential.

rosés-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------like all Beaujolais wines, the rosés are made from Gamay. limpid and brilliant in colour, they are expressive and full of fruit characters. Intense, fruity and aromatic, they are round fresh and silky.

Whites-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------the white wines, produced in small quantities, offer outstanding aromatic intensity with their floral and mineral notes. the more intense and complex of the cuvees can be cellared for several years.

Characteristics -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------these ruggedly steep vineyards, facing east south east at between 200 and 500 metres altitude, surround the 10 Crus of the northern area. there are as many terroirs as there are villages…. Falling between the Beaujolais and the Crus, this range can be appreciated young, or after several years bottle ageing.

ProfileaoC Beaujolais Villages

THE STORY OF BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU

a new vintage with its new wine has been the occasion for celebration since time immemorial; it’s a custom as old as the production of wine itself. the phenomenon of Beaujolais nouveau gained in notoriety in the fifties when the regulations concerning the release of wines from the cellars were changed. In 1985, to facilitate the commercialisation of the 500.000 hectolitres produced each year, a release date of the third thursday of november was fixed by decree, and this still applies today. It’s a day of festivities and ritual for a huge number of Beaujolais lovers throughout the world. Beaujolais is celebrated in towns, in bars, and cafés, by families; between friends… it’s an indisputable success.

Known collectively as Beaujolais nouveaux, these new aoC Beaujolais and aoC Beaujolais Villages wines are special cuvees reserved strictly for red and rosé wines. the association of this denomination with an enormous international festive day, unique in the wine world, requires a precise and rigorous approach. In order to produce these aromatic and fruity wines the winemakers employ short maceration (maximum 4 to 5 days) which requires absolute vigilance. all their skills are called into play in a fine balancing act: if the vat is run off too soon the wines will be too lightweight and lacking in colour, and if it is done too late then the tannins will be too harsh. Gamay lends itself to the production of ‘primeur’ wines as its aromas develop rapidly.

* For more information, please consult the Beaujolais Nouveaux Press Information

Did you know ?

AOC Beaujolais Nouveaux and AOC Beaujolais Villages Nouveaux represent only a quarter of the total production of Beaujolais wines, with Beaujolais making up two thirds of the volume of the ‘Nouveau’ wine and Beaujolais Villages the remaining third. The volume produced has increased from 15.000 hectolitres in the fifties to 200.000 hectolitres today. The volume sold in 2016 was around 190.000, or 25 million bottles. 50.000 hectolitres (6,6 million bottles) are sold through large supermarkets (off trade) (more than 970 000 bottles in Paris and its region alone). The traditional circuit (on trade) accounts for 55.000 hectolitres, and 44% of Beaujolais Nouveaux and Beaujolais Villages Nouveaux are exported to 110 different countries across the world. Japan alone accounts for a quarter of all exports.

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ROLLING HILLSIDES OF VINEYARDS*

LANDSCAPE

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let’s take to the road. 30 minutes north of lyon, the Beaujolais vineyards beckon. the scenery rolls out like an impressionist landscape painting, evocative of tuscany in the south and revealing an untouched natural mountain backdrop in the north. Beaujolais welcomes visitors; push open the door to any wine cellar and discover their wines with pleasure; enjoy the association of wine culture with the natural and cultural riches of this region. Beaujolais extends over more than 50 kilometres, meandering along the course of the saone river between lyon in the south and Macon in the north in a band of around 30km wide.

starting from Chânes, to the north, the 140 kilometres of the Beaujolais Wine routes traverse 36 communes. like the veritable vertebrae of the vineyards they pass through the principal tourist sites in the very heart of the 12 appellations : Beaujeu, the historic capital,Vaux-en-Beaujolais, salles-arbuissonnas and Villefranche-sur-saône, not forgetting the mediaeval village of oingt in the Golden stones area. It’s idyllic, with endless permutations possible for tailor-made tours to suit everyone. * For more information on wine tourism in Beaujolais, see

the dedicated press kit.

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Not to be missed !

In the vines: Whether on foot or by bicycle, the 13 kilometres of the Voie Verte (green way) between Beaujeu and saint-jean-d’ardières are delightful. take a detour to the wine tourism centre at Vaux-en-Beaujolais before stopping to fill up with wines and local produce at the boutique of the “Maison du terroir” at Beaujeu. Breathe in the peace and harmony of the salles-arbuissonnas Priory or take a breath of fresh air at the summit of Mont Brouilly with its splendid view across the whole of the vineyards.

In town: the economic capital of Beaujolais, Villefranche-sur-saône with its historic centre, offers a rich cultural diversity of which the jewel in the crown is the Paul Dini Contemporary art Museum.

At one with nature in the mountains of Beaujolais: to the west of Beaujolais the decor changes radically, with vast pine forests covering the mountains whose culminating point, the Mont saint-rigaud rises to 1 000 metres. a green haven dotted with peaceful villages and river valleys. at only a few kilometres from lyon and the silk trade, this was traditionally a land of textile production, and the weavers are at the origin of the numerous paths that criss-cross the territory; traces of its rich and varied history. For gourmets, a visit to the honey producers of Fut d’avenas and the “Maison du Fromage” to taste cheese at Cenves are a must.

The Golden Stones of Beaujolais: this is a region of gentle valleys, with rolling hills and villages of incomparable charm built of stones which absorb and reflect the golden light of the sun for the greater delight of visitors, photographers and artists. Historically every village had its own stone quarry where blocks were carved out of the limestone and ferrous earth. stone is omnipresent, from the most humble house to the grandest chateau. to admire its beauty, linger at the incredible ‘cuvage’ of lacenas (an enormous wine cellar), or the Chateau of jarnioux and of Bagnols, the spring at Ville-sur-jarnioux, or wander in the narrow streets of the village de Pommiers, around the Dungeon and the mediaeval lanes of oingt, and around the fortifications of ternand.

Did you know ?

Unique for a wine producing region, Beaujolais is alone in proposing 7 audio guided GPS circuits, downloadable free on www.beaujolais.com (over 210 000 downloads to date). These itineraries offer 7 different approaches to the vineyards: «Water in Beaujolais», «Life in a Beaujolais Château», «The Beaujolais lifestyle», «The Beaujolais Wine Routes», «The Golden Stones of Beaujolais», «Beaujolais and Nature» and «Beaujeu in Beaujolais».To complete your trip, the wine tourism guide is also downloadable on the internet site and available free at our partner sites (Tourist Offices, Bistrots Beaujolais, Gites de France).

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ESSENTIAL FACTS

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

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Situation the vineyards of Beaujolais are situated a stone’s throw from lyon, running the length of the river saone, with lyon in the south, Macon to the north and the Val de loire to the west between the rhone and the saone-et-loire.

Access• By TGV: Paris - Mâcon Loché : 1h40.• By plane: Lyon Saint Exupéry is 40 minutes away

from Villefranche-sur-saône, Geneva Cointrin is 2 hours’ drive.

• By car: A6, exit Belleville, Villefranche-sur-Saône (north or south), or Mâcon south.

Surface of the Beaujolais region160 000 hectares.

Surface planted with vinesthe 12 aoC of Beaujolais, in 96 communes, cover 15 599 hectares.

Proportions of grape varieties• Gamay Beaujolais : 15 330 hectares

(30 000 hectares planted in total in the world), representing 98 % of the production.

• Chardonnay Beaujolais : 269 hectares, or around 2 % of the production.

Planting density5 000 to 10 000 vines per hectare.

PruningGoblet, fan, cordon, charmet, guyot.

Average annual Production 800 000 hectolitres.

Split between caves cooperatives and independents• 2 714 producers• 1 947 wine growers in 2015

• 12 cooperatives• 151 negociants (Beaujolais, Mâconnais,

Bourgogne)

Average Surface farmed 10 hectares.

Number of appellations12 (10 Crus: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côtede Brouilly, Fleurie, juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, régnié, saint-amour; Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages : these last two are produced in three colours and as a primeur).

Export figures and principal countries in 2016• Export represents over 40% of sales overall.• Japan : 50 133 hectolitres / approx. 6 700 000

bottles.• United States : 46 141 hectolitres / approx.

6 200 000 bottles.• United Kingdom : 33 633 hectolitres / approx.

4 500 000 bottles.• Canada : 23 674 hectolitres / approx.

3 200 000 bottles.• Belgium : 9 707 hectolitres / approx.

1 300 000 bottles.

Stay connected with the wines of Beaujolais !• Two free magazines are available on iPad in

French and in english: Beaujolais # 1 and Beaujolais # 2

• The Bistrots Beaujolais also have their own app• Internet site: www.beaujolais.com• Facebook Page: facebook.com/Vins du Beaujolais

BEAUJOLAIS, · Beaujolais Nouveau is born ! This is the first year of its commercialisation. 1936...

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Transcript of BEAUJOLAIS, · Beaujolais Nouveau is born ! This is the first year of its commercialisation. 1936...