Beaujolais: the up-and-coming terroir that surprises us!
The Beaujolais terroir
Beaujolais covers nearly 14,500 hectares, north of Lyon. On this vast hilly territory, 12 appellations coexist: in the south, the Beaujolais appellations, in the center and extreme north the Beaujolais Villages (regional appellations) and in the north, the communal appellations, known as the crus.
Gamay reigns supreme here. This black grape variety with white juice allows for the creation of multifaceted wines: sometimes straightforward, sometimes complex, but always delicious. It yields wines with a vibrant red color and incomparable aromas of cherry, strawberry, or raspberry. Throughout the vineyard, Gamay expresses itself in different ways. It conveys particular nuances linked to the diverse terroirs that shape the Beaujolais region.
An infinite playground
Located on the edge of the Massif Central, northwest of Lyon, and directly facing the Alps, the Beaujolais region boasts a complex and exceptional geology, comprising over 300 different soil types. In 2018, Beaujolais became the first French wine-growing region to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
"Heroic" is how the Beaujolais vineyards are described, but it's especially how we should describe the winemakers who work there! The slopes and hillsides offer breathtaking landscapes but don't make the task any easier for the men and women who cultivate the vines!
The 10 Beaujolais crus
The Beaujolais region encompasses appellations rich in talent and quality wines. Among the 12 appellations of the vineyard, there are 10 communal appellations, also known as “crus” of Beaujolais, which benefit from high-quality soils and subsoils.
The following appellations are included: Juliénas, Saint-Amour, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côtes de Brouilly. Each appellation has its own characteristics, linked to its terroir and the expertise of the winemaker who works it.
Some winemakers go even further! They work on their cuvée plot by plot to give it an even more distinctive identity. This plot-by-plot work is often expressed on the label with the mention of a "lieu-dit" (named vineyard site).
The great wines of Beaujolais
A multifaceted name
An infinite playground
Located on the edge of the Massif Central, northwest of Lyon, and directly facing the Alps, the Beaujolais region boasts a complex and exceptional geology, comprising over 300 different soil types. In 2018, Beaujolais became the first French wine-growing region to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
"Heroic" is how the Beaujolais vineyards are described, but it's especially how we should describe the winemakers who work there! The slopes and hillsides offer breathtaking landscapes but don't make the task any easier for the men and women who cultivate the vines!
