Are you a fan of bold red wine? Then Brouilly might just become your new favorite! With its fruity freshness and legendary finesse, this iconic Beaujolais vintage indeed invites you to discover cuvées that are both elegant and full of life.
Through this article, we will take you to discover the secrets of the AOC Brouilly: from its fascinating history to the perfect culinary pairings with its wines, and its best estates, you will know everything!
Summary
History of the AOC Brouilly
The history of Brouilly dates back to the Roman era, a period when viticulture began to take root in what would become an exceptional terroir.The term "Brouilly" is believed to originate from the name "Brulius", a lieutenant in the Roman army who is said to have established a vineyard in the region during the conquest of Gaul.
Then, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the Benedictine and Cistercian monks played a major role in the viticultural development of the Beaujolais region. In the Middle Ages, the lands of the region, including those of Brouilly, were indeed under the influence of local abbeys and lordships that promoted wine production.
In this regard, the lordship of Beaujeu played a very important role in the development of the vineyard during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, a period during which the wines of Brouilly began to gain recognition beyond regional borders.
This golden period lasted until the end of the 19th century, during which Brouilly was struck by multiple crises such as powdery mildew and phylloxera. This pest, originating from America and similar to an aphid, endangered production for several decades before a definitive solution was found: grafting local vines onto American rootstocks resistant to this pest.
A few decades later, in 1938, the AOC Brouilly was officially created, establishing the appellation as the southernmost and largest of the Beaujolais crus.
Today, Brouilly remains true to its heritage while adopting modern and sustainable practices.With more than 1,200 hectares of vineyards, the appellation remains the largest in Beaujolais and is, of course, exclusively planted with the Gamay grape variety.
Let's now analyze the terroirs and the climate of the appellation.
Map of Beaujolais appellations
Soils and climate of the Brouilly appellation
The Brouilly appellation extends around Mont Brouilly, right in the heart of the Beaujolais vineyard. It is part of the ten emblematic crus of this region, alongside AOC Saint-Amour, Chénas, Juliénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Morgon, Régnié, and Côte de Brouilly.
What makes Brouilly so unique is primarily the richness and diversity of its soils.
The pink granite represents a large part of the AOC's terroirs and covers nearly 47% of its territory, mainly in the northern and central half of the AOC. These are poor and well-draining soils, ideal for the Gamay grape variety.
The foothills, with about 34% of the AOC's area, is another important type of soil for Brouilly. These are gently sloping hillsides, located between the highest parts (granites of Mont Brouilly) and the plains. The soil here is a mixture of decomposed granite, sands, and silts, with sometimes deposits from the erosion of the upper slopes.
Other less common soils also exist within the AOP, such as colluvium (about 9% of the terroir). Located at the bottom of slopes, these are deposits of sediments and rock fragments resulting from the erosion of the upper granite hillsides.
Finally, there are also smaller areas with sedimentary rocks (5%), blue stones -metamorphic rocks- (4%), or even clays (1%).
Regarding climate, Beaujolais benefits from a skillful mix of influences. Mainly semi-continental, the southern location of the Brouilly vineyard also offers oceanic and Mediterranean touches.This combination ensures the vines experience a mild spring, hot summers, and autumns conducive to optimal grape ripening.
Soil map of the Brouilly appellation
The wines of the Brouilly appellation
Exclusively made from the grape variety Gamay noir, the wines of the AOC Brouilly are characterful reds. Typical of Beaujolais, this grape variety is appreciated for its freshness, its suppleness, as well as its intense fruity aromas. The Gamay is a thin-skinned variety, producing wines that are mostly light but highly expressive.
The wines of Brouilly are characterized by their vibrant fruitiness. Expect an explosion of fresh red fruit flavors, such as strawberry, raspberry, or cherry, adding a gourmet touch to the tasting.
On the palate, this Lyonnais wine is also distinguished by its lightness and finesse. The red wines of Brouilly are often described as supple, offering a silky texture as well as a balanced palate. Their freshness makes them particularly perfect for young consumption, although many bottles can also improve with time.
However, be aware that this very general description cannot hide the great diversity of vintages that coexist within the appellation, thanks in particular to very different terroirs, as well as the passion and expertise of the local winemakers. There is not just one Brouilly, but several!
The wines of Brouilly derive their essence from the Gamay noir grape variety
What to eat with a wine from the AOC Brouilly?
Now that you have a good overview of the typical wine characteristics of the Brouilly appellation, it is time to move on to culinary pairings ! With its light tannic structure and its natural freshness, Brouilly indeed lends itself to a multitude of gastronomic combinations. Here are some suggestions to enhance your meals with this delicious red wine from Beaujolais.
- White meats and poultry : your Gamay de Brouilly will pair wonderfully with a roast chicken, a tender turkey, or calf's liver ! Its supple and fruity structure will indeed perfectly complement the delicacy of these white-fleshed meats.
- Pasta dishes: a classic! Homemade lasagna or spaghetti bolognese are also perfect companions for a Brouilly. The fruity aromas of the latter pleasantly accompany the sauces, creating a beautiful harmony on the palate.
- Lyonnaise charcuterie: it's impossible to overlook the region's must-haves. The rosettes, saucissons, and any other local charcuterie pair deliciously with this Lyon wine. A 100% gourmet aperitif to enjoy with friends or family!
- Cheeses: Brouilly is also distinguished by its ability to enhance creamy or soft cheeses, such as a fresh goat cheese or a Brie. With their melting texture and mild flavors, these pair perfectly with the finesse of this Lyon red wine.
Tip: To highlight all its qualities, serve your Brouilly slightly chilled, between 14-16°C. This temperature will allow your wine to reveal all its freshness and balance!
Brouilly and homemade lasagna: a classic pairing, but always irresistible
The best wines of the AOC Brouilly
You are surely wondering where to find the best wines of the AOC Brouilly? The good news is that this appellation is full of interesting estates.If you are looking for an essential reference and an excellent value for money, La Cave Éclairée warmly recommends the Brouilly from Domaine Coudert.
Winemaker since 1967, the Coudert family is a reference in the Beaujolais region. Since 1984, Alain Coudert has taken over the dreams of the estate, thus perpetuating the family heritage. The family vineyard extends over 14 hectares, and, although the majority of the production is done under the Fleurie appellation with the Clos de la Roilette estate, a few hectares are also dedicated to the AOC Brouilly, allowing for the offering of a wine of great finesse.
In terms of winemaking, Alain favors the traditional method and skillfully ages his wines by prioritizing aging in old casks, thus giving the wines a beautiful texture and a lovely aromatic depth. Their Brouilly is also characterized by a beautiful expression of the terroir, with fruity aromas and a supple structure. In short, go for it without hesitation!
You are now a very good connoisseur of the Brouilly appellation.In order to extend your experience and deepen your knowledge of the wines from this magnificent Beaujolais appellation, we now invite you to visit our site La Cave Éclairée, where you will find a carefully selected range of refined wines from the region...and beyond!
Feel free to share your opinions with us and see you soon for new tastings!
