🇫🇷BURGUNDY-Beaujolais

BEAUJOLAIS IS–    AOC.- 5     ~Grand Cru~ 10       @Lyon

• BLANC= Aligote, Chardonnay, Lauzet, Liliorila, Melon de Bourgogne, Muller Thurgau, Pagadebiti AKA=Bombino, Perdea, Pinot Beurot AKA=Pinot Gri, Pinot Blanc
• ROUGE= Gamay 96%, Pinot Noir, Pinot Liebault, Mireille, Monerac

GEOGRAPHY– France, REGION-Burgundy(South), SUB-REGION-Beaujolais, LATITUDE: 46.08° ‘N’

• DEPARTMENTS-Rhone, Saone-et-Loire, BORDERS-Maconais(Laps/ North)
• (14 km. Long & 10-14km. Wide)

TOPOGRAPHY– FEATURES- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”

• SLOPES/ Massif Central/ Haut-Beaujolais Mountains/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 162mt.- 420mt.
• On~Ardire/Azergues/Nizerand~River~Tributary~Saone~River~, ON PLAIN/ Beaujolais(Above)
• VOLCANISM~ ~Mt. Brouilly~(Dormant)

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Alluvial Clay

• Granite Sub-Soil, Metamorphic Andicite/ Schist, Granite/ Pink Granite, Sand, Schist, Limestone, Clay
• Blue Stone(Meta-Diorite) 400 Million Year Old Basaltic Stone From Divonian Sea.
• Lardon(Iron Oxide, Granite, Silica)

CLIMATE– “Continental”

VITICULTURE–  16,500 ha. Planted,  Strong Organic and Biodynamic Culture.

• CHALLENGES– Spring/ Fall, Frost, Hail, Rain, Cold

VINICULTURE– Generally Know For Carbonic Maceration/ Semi Carbonic Maceration.

• **Refer to “VITICULTURE/ Carbonic Maceration” For Detailed Information.
• Wine Must Be 100% Gamay to Be Labeled Beaujolais AOC.
• LABELING– Sometimes Producers Use Name of Domaine and/ or Family Name On Label.

HISTORY–

• 1395 @Burgundy/ Beaujolais– “Burgundian Duc Phillipe le Hardi…Philip the Bold” Booted the Gamay Grape From Burgundy and Banished it to Beaujolais.

CULTURE– “Beaujolais”…+Pronounced…“Boh-jhoe-lay”

• PIONEERS~ ~Jules Chavet~ “1907-1989”, “Wine Traditionalist…Father of Natural Wine/Negociant”
  • His No-Chaptalization, No-So2 Wines Launched the Natural Wine Movement In France.  He Studied, Practiced, Put Out Publications, and Helped Advice People On the Subject of Natural Wine.
• PIONEERS~ ~Gang of Four~ Named Coined by Importer Kermit Lynch. This “Gang of Four” Lead a Movement Back to Natural Wines by Following the Father of Natural Wine Jules Chavet.
  • ~Marcel Lapierre~ “1958-2010”, “Beaujolais, Gang of Four”, Grape Grower/ Wine Producer In Morgan. 
    • Played a Leading Role In the Rejuvenation In the Diminished Reputation of Beaujolais Wine.
  • ~Guy Breton~ “1958-?”, “Beaujolais…Gang of Four”
  • ~ Jean-Paul Thevenet~ “1958-2010”, “Beaujolais…Gang of Four”, Grape Grower/ Wine Producer In Morgan. 
  • ~Jean Foillard~ “1958-2010”, “Beaujolais, Gang of Four”
  • ~Yvon Metras~ “1958-2010”, “Beaujolais, Gang of Four(5th. Member)”
• PIONEERS~ ~Franck Duboeuf~ Catalyst For Building International Reputation For Beaujolais Wines.
  • Came Up With Idea as Marketing Tool For Selling Young Wine Within Weeks of Harvest -Good Cash Flow and Way to Clear Out the Wine.
• WINE SCANDALS~ ~Georges Buboeuf’s Beaujolais~ 
  • 2005, Accused of Blending Lower Grade Gamay Into Beaujolais Premier Cru Wines.
• WINE DAYS~ ~International Beaujolais Day~ (November 18th., 3nd. Thursday)
• WINE & PHILOSOPHY?  “When Thinking of Burgundy as a Whole is it Better to Think of Beaujolais as a Separate, Distinct Region Rather Than Burgundy as One?”
  • “Due to It’s Separate Area All Distinct as to Geography, Topography, Viticulture and Viniculture Practices Its Good to Think of Beaujolais as Separate as to the Overall  Identity of Burgundy.”

**Refer to “BURGUNDY/ Home” For Detailed Information On Burgundy as a Region.

Classification of Beaujolais

BEAUJOLAIS AOC.     @Beaujolais

• BLANC= Chardonnay   |   ROUGE= Gamay, Pinot Noir
• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Burgundy(South), In Beaujolais(Greater)
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Clay, Granite, Flint, Slate
• VINICULTURE- +10% +ABV.

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU AOC.      @Beaujolais

• VINICULTURE- Harvested/ Vinified/ Produced/ Packaged/Shipped All Over the World Within 2 Month of Harvest.
  • Vin de L’Annee- “This Years Wine.”
  • Carbonic Maceration/ Whole Berry Fermentation- Vinification Practice Where Whole Grapes Bunches Are Fermented In a Oxygen-Less, Carbon Dioxide Environment.
  • Estate/ Producers–
• CULTURE–
  • ~Beaujolais Nouveau Races~ November 15, 1974 is the Day the Phenomenon Started, the Beaujolais Race. Annual National Race In November Carrying the First Bottle of the New Vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau From Beaujolais to Paris.  Now There Are Multiple Races In Which the Goal is to Get the First Bottle of the Vinetage to Different Markets.
  • PIONEERS~ ~George Duboeuf~
    • Came Up With Idea as Marketing Tool For Selling Young Wine Within Weeks of Harvest -Good Cash Flow and Way to Clear Out the Wine.

BEAUJOLAIS SUPERIEUR AOC.      @Beaujolais

• BLANC=    |   ROUGE= Gamay
• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Burgundy(South), In Beaujolais AOC.
• VITICULTURE-  ?  ha. Planted
• VINICULTURE- +10.5% ABV.
  • Estate/ Producers-

BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES AOC.       @Beaujolais

• BLANC= Chardonnay   |    ROUGE= Gamay, Pinot Noir
• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Burgundy(South), In Beaujolais AOC.
  • Sub-Zones- Northern Zone, Central Zone, Southern Zone, VILLAGES-(38)-
• VITICULTURE-  ? ha. Planted
• VINICULTURE- +11% ABV.
  • Estate/ Producers- Claire Chante, Manoir du Carra, Nicolas Chemarin, Trenel

CRU BEAUJOLAIS AOC.     @

• VINICULTURE-  48 ha. Planted
• VITICULTURE-  1,200 Producers, 150 Négociants, 12 Co-Operitives
• MNEMONIC For Remembering Beaujolais Grand Cru–
  • J     St.     C      M     F     C    M    R     B     C

JULIENAS~Grand Cru~     @Julienas

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North-West)
  • DEPARTMENTS-Rhone, Saone-et-Loire
  • VILLAGES-Julienas, Julie, Emeringes, Pruzilly
  • BORDERS-St. Amour(East)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 230mt.- 430mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Schist, Blue Volcanic
• VITICULTURE- 586ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Chateau de Julienas, Chers, Chignard, Clos Du Fief, David-Beaupere, Joseph Burrier, Lapierre & Pacalet, De Pougelon, La Sceur Cadette
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards- Au Bourg, Berthet, Bessay, Bois de la Salle, La Bottiere, Bucherat, Chanorier, Les Chers, Cotoyon, La Croix Rouge, Les Crots, Escuissin, Fetraud et Cherette, Fougerette, Le Foullouses, Les Gonnards, Haute-Combe, Janroux, Les Mouilles, Paquelet, Place des Vignes, Les Pouquets, La Prat, En Riziere, Ruet, Soubleton, Les Tournets, Le Treve, Vayolette, Vaux, Le Ville
• CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Named After the Roman Leader Julius Caesar.

ST. AMOUR~Grand Cru~      @Saint-Amour

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North-East)
  • DEPARTMENTS-Saone-et-Loire
  • BORDERS-Julienas(West)
• TOPOGRAPHY “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains,+Alt. 280mt.- 320mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Piedmont Deposits, Clay, Granite, Flint, Slate, Blue Stone
• VITICULTURE- 320ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Belleverne, Billards(5.2ha.), Bonnet, Dominique Piron, Joseph Burrier, Pierre-Marie Chermette, Des Pierres, Pins
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards- Au Bonet, Au Foret, Aux Arserons, Aux Breuil, Aux Grandses Vignes, Aux Places, Aux Pochieux, Aux Servettes, Aux Terres de Guinchay, Aux Viards, Les Belouses, Le Bourg, Les Brecatons, La Bruyere, Les Capitans, En Chateney, Les Champs Grilles, Les Chamonards, La Chevrolle, Le Clos de la Brosse, Clos du Chapitre, En Coutelon, Cote de Besset, La Creuse Perilleuse, La Croix Carron, Les Darrezes, L’Etournet, Les Fouilloux, La Gagere, En Guinchay, Hameau de la Ville, Hameau du Platre Durand, Les Mal, En Paradis, En Peluzan, La Pirolette, Platre Durand, Pre Poulet, Les Ravinets, En Rontey, Les Sates, Terres Des Rey, Vers l’Eglise, La Vigonette, La Ville

CHENAS~Grand Cru~ 1/2/3       @Chenas

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North)
  • COMMUNES-Chenas, La Chapelle-de-Guinchay
  • BORDERS-Julienas(North), Moulin-a-Vent(South)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 260mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Piedmont Deposits, Pink Granite, Quartz
• VITICULTURE- 227ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers-  Anita, Clos du Fief(1.6ha.), Ed. Loiseau, Hubert Lapeirre, Pascal Aufran
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards- Aux Bief Normand, Aux Blemonts, Au Bois Retour, Aux Cruies, Aux Marmets, Aux Morlards, Aux Petites Pierres, Aux Pierres, Aux Pres Forts, Au Remont, Aux Tournets, Aux Vercheres, Les Brureaux, En Callette, Chassignol, Les Champs Bons, La Combe Daroux, Deschanes, Les Deschamps, Les Desroches, La Fayarde, Le Fief, Le Gays, En Grefard, En Melardiere, En Nervat, En Papolet, En Rochat, Rochenoire, La Sauvagerie, Les Viallieres
• CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Named After the Chenas Forest Which Used to Cover the Area..

MOULIN-a VENT~Grand Cru~ 1/2/3       @

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North)
  • DEPARTMENTS-Rhone, Saone-et-Loire
  • COMMUNES-Chenas, Romaneche-Thorins
  • BORDERS-Chenas(North), Fleurie(West)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”, On~Saone~River~
  • SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 228mt.-455mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Granite(Pink)/ Manganese, Sand
• VITICULTURE- 611ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers-  A.F. Gros, Alert Bichot, Anita, Cave du Chenas, Clos du Fief, Couvent des Thorins, Diochon, Georges Duboeuf, Henry Fessy, Jacques, Joseph Drouhin, Joseph-Paul Brun, Labruyere, Manoir du Carra, Mee Godard, Moulin-a-Vent(4.4ha.), Philippe Pacalet, Richard Rottiers, Thibault Liger-Belair, Yahan Lardy, Yvon Metras
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards–  Aux Caves, Aux Fromentaux, Au Michelon, Au Mont, Le Bief, Les Bois Combes, Bois Pontdevaux, En Brennay, Les Burdelines, Les Brusselions, La Bruyere, Carquelin, Champ de Cour, Chassignol, La Delatte, Le Dime, Deschanes, Les Fargets, Les Generiers, Les Hantes, Henoire, Les Meterees, Maison Neuve, La Merize, En Morier, Le Moulin a Vent, Les Perrelles, Le Petit Brennay, Le Petit Morier, Les Pres Ouverts, En Reclaine, La Roche, La Rochelle, Rochenoire, Les Rouchaux, La Teppe, Les Thorins, la Tour Du Bief, Les Verillats, Le Vieux Bourg, Vierre Manin
• CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Named After the Historical Wine-Mill Overlooking Vineyards.

FLEURIE~Grand Cru~ 7     @Fleurie

• BLANC= Chardonnay, Lauzet, Liliorila, Muller Thurgau, Pagadebiti AKA=Bombino, Perdea
• ROUGE= Gamay, Pinot Noir, Mireille, Monerac
• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North-Central)
  • BORDERS-Chiroubles(West), Moulin-a-Vent(East)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, 
  • SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains(La Madone), +Alt.455 mt.
  • Fleurie is Said to Have 12 Different Topographical Sub-Zones
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Pink Granite, Piedmon Deposits
• VITICULTURE- 822ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Anita, Baligny, Berrod, La Bouroneire, De la Chaize, Chignard, Clos de la Roilette, Collin Bourisset, Des Combiers, Coudert, Deduits, Dutraive, De Fleurie(4.4ha.), Georges Duboeuf, Grand’Cour, Grand Garant, Jean-Marc Lafont, Julien Sunier, Metras, Marrans, Maison L’Envoye(Multi-National), Maison Passot(11ha.), Mickael Lachaud, Piron, Poncie, Patrick Chodot, Quatre Vents(12ha.), Yvon Metras(Bio.Dy.)
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards–  Adule, Bel Air, Bon Cru, La Bourg, Le Brie, Champagne, La Chapelle des Bois, Charbonniere, Les Charmilles, Les Combes, Les Cotes, La Dime, Les Deduits, Les Fonds, Fonfotin, Les Garants, Grand’Cour, Les Grands Fers, Grand Pre, Grille-Midi-Nord, Grille-Midi-Sud, La Joie du Palais, Les Jonchees, Les Labourons, La Levrattiere, La Madone, Les Marrans, Montgenas, Les Moriers, Pies d’Aroux, Poncie, La Presle, Les Raclets, Remont, Les Rochaux, Roche-Guillon, La Roilette, La Tonne, Les Quatre Vents, Vers la Mont, Le Vivier

CHIROUBLES~Grand Cru~ 8     @Chiroubles

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(North-Central)
  • BORDERS-Morgan(South), Fleurie(East)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 250mt.-500mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Pink Granite, Sand/ Gore
• VITICULTURE- 314ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Cheysson, Damien Coquelet, Daniel Bouland, Dom des Marrans, De Javernand, Pontheux, Raousset, Romuald Petit, Vignerons de Bel Air
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards–  A l’Horme, Aux Croz, Aux Pojes, Bel-Air, Le Bois de Lie, Les Bonnes, Le Bourg, La Bresse, Cercillon, Chatenay, La Combe, Cour Profonde, Cote Rotie, Crozet, Croz de Dursbise, Douby, Les Farges, Le Fetre, Fontenelle, Frediere, Les Genets, Guize, La Grange, La Gravelle, Javernand, Lachat, La Lanjagne, Le Pont, Les Pontheux, Les Pres, Reponge, Les Rochaux, Rochefort, Les Roches, Rontets, Saint Roch, Seigneronces, Souzon, Tempere, En Verdan, Le Verdy, Le Verdy-Sud, Le Vert

MORGON~Grand Cru~ 1/2/3      @Villie-Morgon

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(Central)
  • BORDERS-Chiroubles(North), Regnie(South-West)
  • Sub-Zone/ DGC.- La Charmes, Corcelette, Cote du Py, Douby, Grand Cras
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt. 320mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, Granite, Blue Stone, Schist, Piedmont Deposits
• VITICULTURE- 1,000ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Albert Bichot, Anita, Annick Bachelet, De La Beche(3ha.), Chatelard, De Durette, Des Gaudets, Gerard Brisson, Guy Breton(7ha.), Jean-Ernest Descombes(12ha.), Jean Foillard(14ha.), Jean-Paul & Charly Thevenet(5ha.), Joseph Burrier, Karim Vionnet, De Leyre-Loup, Louis Claude Desvignes, Marcel Lapierre, Des Marrans, Mee Godard, Mont Chavy(18ha.), Penlois(28ha.), De la Tour des Bans, Vignerons de Bel Air
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards- Ardevel, Aux Aiguais, Aux Charmes, Aux Chenes, Aux Cotes, Aux Perrets, Aux Pierres, Aux Pillets, Aux Presles, Aux Raisses, Aux Versauds, Bas-Morgan, La Beche, Bellevue, Boi de Lys, Le Bourg, La Briratte, Brye, Champ Lavrier, La Chaponne, Chollet, Le Clachet, Cote du Py, Croix de Chevere, La Dependale, L’Eveque, Fond Long, Grand Cras, Le Grand Douby Grande Terres, Grandes Bruyeres, Haut Morgon, Janin, Lathevalle, Javernieres, Les Marcellins, Les Micoubs, Montillert, Montilelain, Morgon, Les Mulins, Perou, Pilee, Pizay, Pres Jourgan, La Roche, Roche, Les Rontay, Ruyere, Saint-Joseph, Le Signable, Terrain Rouge, Le Truges, Vermont

REGNIE~Grand Cru~ 10      @Regnie-Duretee

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(South-Central)
  • COMMUNES– Lantignie, Regnie-Burette
  • BORDERS-Morgon(North-East), Brouilly(South)
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mont du Bessay Mountains, +Alt.350 mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, Granite, Sand, Piedmont Deposits
• VITICULTURE- 528ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Antoine Sunier, Les Capreoles, Ducroux(Bio.Dy.), Guy Breton, Jean-Marc Burgaud, Maison des Bulliats, Pignard(Bio.Dy.), Pizay, Reyssiers, Rochette, Thevenet(Jean-Paul/Charly(5ha.)
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards–  Aux Brosses, Aux Bruyeres, Basseronze, Bastys, Les Bois, Le Bourg, La Bourdonnere, Les Braves, Les Bruyeres, Les Bulliats, La Chapeliete, Les Chasty, Les Chatillons, Chez le Bois, Cote de la Pierre, Les Cotes, La Croix Blanche, Les Forchets, Les Futs, La Haute Plaigne, Haute Ronze, Lachat, Oeillat, L’Ollier, Les Perras, La Pierre, La Place, La Plaine, Ponchon, Le Potet, Py-de-Bulliat, Les Rampaux, La Roche, Souzon, Thulon, La Tour Bouroon, Vallieres, Les Vergers, Vernus

BROUILLY~Grand Cru~ 9     @Odenas

• GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(South)
  • In Cote de Brouilly(Interior), BORDERS-Regnie(North), @Hw.#D43/ D337
  • COMMUNES-(6)- Cercie, Charentay, Odenas, Quincie-en-Beaujolais, Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne, Saint-Lager
• TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly”, SLOPES/ Mt. Brouilly/ Hill, Dormant Volcano, +Alt.290 mt.
• SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”
  • Clay, Limestone, Siliceous, Diorite(Blue Volcanic Debris), Pink Granite
• VITICULTURE- 1,300ha. Planted
  • Estate/ Producers- Charize(E./101ha.), Collin-Bourisset, Georges Descombes, George Duboeuf, Le Fagolet, Jean-Claude Lapalu, De Pierreux,  Remy Dufaitre, De Saint Lager, Thivin, Tours, Vissoux
  • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards– Les Balloquets, Bas de la Roche, Beauvoir, Bois Goini, Bonnege, Les Bourge, Briante, Les Buidons, Les Bussieres, Les Caboches, La Chaize, Les Clous, Combiiaty, La Commune, Creigne, La Font Cure, La Folie, Les Frairies, La Garenne, Gorge de Loup, Grand Pre, Les Jacquets, Marquisat, Mas de Bagnols, Mondenet, Monternot-Nord, Montenot-Sud, Le Moulin Favre, Les Nazins-Nord, Nervers, La Perriere, La Pilonniere, Les Platures, Polanche, Reverdon, Riboudon, La Roche, Saburin, Saburin-Nord, Saburin-Sud, Samsons, La Savoie, Les Sept Vignes, Le Sigaud, Les Tours, La Valette, Vers les Pins, La Verpillere, Vuril
• CULTURE- ~Etymology~ Brouilly Refers to Brulius, a Roman Leader Who Planted Vines Here 2,000 Years Ago.
• COTE De BROUILLY~Grand Cru~      @Odenas
  • GEOGRAPHY- France, REGION-Beaujolais, Cru Beaujolais(South), In Brouilly(Interior)
    • COMMUNES-Cercie, Odenas, Quincie-en-Beaujolais, Saint-Lager
  • TOPOGRAPHY- “Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous”
    • SLOPES/ Mt. Brouilly/ Hill, Dormant Volcano, +Alt.300 mt.
  • SOILS- “Metamorphic”, “Volcanic”, “Sedimentary”, Granite, Piedmont Deposits
    • Blue Stone(Meta-Diorite), (Blue Volcanic Debris) Composed of Silicate minerals: Feldspar, Andesine, Biotite, Hornblende, Pryoxene)
  • VITICULTURE- 322ha. Planted
    • Estate/ Producers- Baron de L’Ecluse, Chaize(.5ha.), Nicole Chanrion, Roches Bleues, Thivin, Voute des Croxes
    • Lieux-Dits/ Vineyards– Brouilly, Chardignon, Chavanne, Cote de Brouilly, Les Crozes, Croix Dessaigne, Les Fournelles, Gilets, La Glaciere, Godefroy, L’Heronde, L’Institut, Le Pave

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.