Beaujolais is often reduced to the production of simple, fruity and light wines made from the Gamay grape variety. Moreover, Beaujolais Nouveau is often mentioned in discussions and tarnishes for many people the reputation of the vineyard. Nevertheless, the region is also well and truly capable of producing rich, complex cuvées that keep well thanks to superb terroirs and passionate winegrowers!
In this article, we will explore the geography of the Beaujolais vineyard as well as its different appellations while focusing on the 10 crus regional.
After reading this, you will have changed your mind about Beaujolais! Follow the guide.
After reading this, you will have changed your mind about Beaujolais! Follow the guide.
Climate, terroirs and grape varieties of Beaujolais
Nestled between Burgundy (south of Mâcon) and the Rhône Valley (north of Lyon), Beaujolais enjoys a temperate semi-continental climate with oceanic and Mediterranean influences.
Furthermore, while 97% of production is reserved for red wines made from the Gamay grape variety, the varied terroirs of granites, schists, clays and limestones give the cuvées produced a great diversity of profiles.
The remaining 3% are dedicated to the small production of white wines made from the Chardonnay grape.
What are the Beaujolais appellations?
At the base of the hierarchy of Beaujolais appellations, there are first of all 4 regional AOCs.
AOC Beaujolais
It is the largest in the region and although it covers the entire vineyard, it is mainly located to the south of it. Moreover, while almost exclusively production is based on the Gamay grape variety, 300 hectares are also dedicated to the production of white wine from Chardonnay. Whether white or red, the wines of this appellation generally express a light, fresh and fruity character.
AOC Beaujolais Villages
It is located in the northern part of the region and covers 38 municipalities. The vines in AOC Beaujolais Villages are located on average at more than 300m in altitude and flourish on the best hillsides in the region. Here too, the wines are known for their fruity and gourmet character and can be enjoyed in their youth or after a few years in the cellar.
AOC Beaujolais Nouveau
It is perhaps the best known of the vineyard and is in any case the most important in terms of production. Indeed, Beaujolais Nouveau represents nearly a third of the production of the entire vineyard! From a geographical point of view, it overlaps with the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages appellations.
Each year, on the third Thursday of November, Beaujolais Nouveau is the first wine of the current vintage put on sale. As you can imagine, this is a light, fresh and very fruity wine intended to be drunk as an aperitif.
The Coteaux Bourguignons AOC
If, as its name suggests, the AOC Coteaux Bourguignons is mainly present in Burgundy, it also exists in Beaujolais and allows the production of red and rosé wines made from Pinot noir and Gamay. These can be either vinified alone or blended. The production of white wine is also possible from the Aligoté, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Melon de Bourgogne varieties.
The wines here are clearly made to be drunk as an aperitif and offer a very pleasant fruity character but little complexity.
In addition to these 4 regional appellations, Beaujolais also has 10 crus (or appellations), making the vineyard so famous. Let's explore them now!
What are the 10 Beaujolais Crus?
Located in the northern part of Beaujolais, 10 crus coexist within the region, each with unique characteristics. From north to south, here is their exhaustive list.
Juliénas
The Juliénas appellation covers 4 villages and 575 hectares. Its vines evolve on very varied soils : there are indeed blue stones (volcanic rocks so called because of their bluish reflections), granitic soils, piedmonts (alluvial soils composed of gravel , sands and clays) or shales. The altitude varies here between 230 and 430m.
Julienas are medium-bodied wines often expressing notes of red fruits (strawberry, raspberry), a floral touch (violet, peony) as well as a slight spicy undertone (cinnamon) .
Saint-Amour
A cru with a name that cannot leave you indifferent! If Saint-Amour is indeed lucky enough to be able to instinctively evoke romance and passion, the quality of its wines is also very interesting.
Spreading over 315 hectares within the single village of Saint-Amour-Bellevue, the soils here are composed of piedmonts, granites, blue stones as well as clays and limestones.
The wines produced can be light and gourmet (red fruits, floral notes) but also express more power and depth aromatic (black fruits, slight tannic structure, spices). The Villa Violettes cuvée from Domaine Cheveau lies exactly between these two types of wine!
Chenas
With its 250 hectares spread over 2 villages, Chénas is the smallest of the Beaujolais wines . Its name comes from the old oak plantations that were present here in Gallo-Roman times.
The appellation offers generous, silky wines with melted tannins, evoking black fruits, spices and certain floral notes.
Windmill
The appellation takes its name from the windmill nestled in the middle of its vines and dating from the 15th century. Composed of 640 hectares, this cru is spread over two villages. It's also the only one that doesn't have a town name! This is considered the "King of Beaujolais" because of the power and structure of its wines. Soils rich in manganese contribute to the robustness and density of the cuvées produced.
Aromas of black fruits, spices, violets, a mineral touch as well as good aging capacity are the main characteristics of Moulin-à- Wind.
Floral
With 840 hectares evolving almost exclusively on pink granite soils, Fleurie is an appellation with a particular geography. This is in fact backed by a chain of ridges and offers, with the hill of the Madone, a grandiose panorama over the entire vineyard. It is most likely thanks to these magnificent landscapes that the town of Fleurie was so named.
The Cru is renowned for producing delicate and elegant wines, considered to be the most feminine of Beaujolais. The Cuvée Tardive from Clos de la Roilette expresses, for example, all this sensuality and delicacy!
Chiroubles
With its 315 hectares, Chiroubles is one of the smallest wines in the region. The vines here are planted on terroirs of pink granite and exclusively within the eponymous village. In addition, the vineyard is located between 270m and 600m above sea level, allowing to keep freshness in the wines produced. Many plots also have steep slopes (regularly exceeding 30%!), therefore requiring manual harvesting and very meticulous work.
Thanks to all these factors, the appellation offers fresh, gourmet and delicate wines with a silky and delicious texture on the palate.
Morgon
Morgon is one of the most renowned Beaujolais appellations and the largest of its crus. Its 1090 hectares are located exclusively in the commune of Villié-Morgon, on terroirs composed of granites, blue stones and alluvium. The vines are located around 310m above sea level.
The vintages of the 250 winegrowers of the appellation generally express remarkable aromatic intensity and complexity. Morgon wines have aromas of black fruits (cherry, blackberry), violet as well as a marked tannic structure, giving them good aging potential. The various AOC Morgon cuvées from the Vignobles Bodillard illustrate very well all the richness and power of the wines of the region.
Reigned
Régnié is the most recent of the Beaujolais appellations. Created in 1988, the latter now extends over 550 hectares located in two villages around an altitude of 350m. The soils here are mostly granitic and alluvial.
Régnié wines are characterized by their suppleness and fruitiness. They are elegant and fine, expressing aromas of red and black fruits (raspberry, strawberry, cherry, blackberry) as well as spicy and mineral notes.
Brouilly
Brouilly is one of the largest Beaujolais appellations. With its 1200 hectares located around 290m above sea level and its very varied soils (pink granite, piedmonts, clay-limestone, blue stones, etc.), it is renowned for its production of light, fruity and supple wines, pairing divinely well with aperitifs and white meats. The Brouilly cuvée from the Coudert estate (belonging to Clos de la Roilette) perfectly illustrates the characteristics of this appellation.
It should also be noted that although the AOC Brouilly starts further north than its neighbor Côte de Brouilly, it is the southernmost appellation of Beaujolais.
Côte de Brouilly
Located on the slopes of Mont Brouilly, this 310-hectare appellation surrounds its neighbor Brouilly. The soils here are composed of blue stones, granites, foothills and scree.
Unlike Brouilly, the wines here are full-bodied and intense, often requiring a few years of aging to reach their peak. In the aromatic markers present, we often find slightly syrupy black fruit (cherries in particular), spicy notes (pepper) as well as a certain minerality giving very fine balance throughout
Conclusion
As you may have understood from reading this article, the Beaujolais vineyard is therefore not limited to its Beaujolais Nouveau and is a fascinating wine region. It offers a wide variety of wines ranging from fruity and light cuvées to powerful crus, rich and intense capable of long years of aging.
With its regional appellations and its 10 crus that you now know inside out, the region offers tasters a rich and varied taste experience that can be adapted to many dishes. So, immerse yourself in the world of Beaujolais and let yourself be seduced by its authentic and charming wines.
Health of The Lighted Cave!
The Gamay grape
