The Fleurie vineyard belongs to the Beaujolais region and is located south of Burgundy, near the Lyonnais vineyard. The appellations Chiroubles and Moulin-à-Vent border this one.
The vineyards of the Fleurie appellation stretch across steep hillsides nestled slightly at altitude. The AOC also benefits from generous sunshine as well as a temperate microclimate. These ideal conditions promote a slow and balanced ripening of the grapes, essential for preserving the aromatic freshness of Gamay, which is the hallmark of the local red wines.
The soils, mainly composed of pink granite, also give the wines their finesse and inimitable floral character.
On the heights of La Madone, a famous locality of the appellation, poorer soils produce taut and mineral cuvées, while the lower slopes, which are more clayey, offer wines that are full-bodied and fruity. This mosaic of terroirs contributes to the diversity and complexity of Fleurie wines, considered among the most elegant in Beaujolais.
Here, each estate or château implements precise expertise, combining ancestral traditions and modern techniques, in order to fully reveal the typicality of the Fleurie terroir.
The granite soil of Fleurie plays an essential role in the style of wines produced by each estate. This rock indeed promotes deep rooting of the vine and excellent drainage, allowing Gamay to develop delicate, floral, and fruity aromas, while maintaining beautiful freshness.
The reviews from enthusiasts and connoisseurs regularly confirm this uniqueness: a red wine from Fleurie grown on granite displays an elegance and complexity that few other crus can match. Some plots even offer cuvées with particularly mineral and refined notes, which appeal as much to experienced palates as to those seeking a more accessible pleasure.
Thus, understanding the role of granite in the production of Fleurie wines enriches the tasting experience and allows for a better appreciation of the aromatic richness and typicity of each cuvée, while highlighting the expertise of the estates that cultivate this emblematic Beaujolais cru.
Gamay is the soul of Fleurie wines and the only grape variety allowed in the appellation. Renowned for its ability to produce fruity red wines, light and silky, it finds in the granitic hillsides of Fleurie an ideal terrain to express all its finesse. The grapes, often hand-harvested on steep slopes, allow winemakers to select healthy and ripe bunches, ensuring a natural balance between sugar, acidity, and aromas.
Thanks to the diversity of soils and exposures, Fleurie Gamay reveals a wide aromatic palette: red and black fruits, floral notes, spicy touches and sometimes a subtle minerality.The winemakers use adapted techniques, such as carbonic maceration or gentle vinification, in order to preserve the freshness of the fruit and the silky tannic structure that characterize these wines.
This unique variety, combined with traditional know-how and an exceptional terroir, gives Fleurie wines their distinctive identity: elegant, delicate, and refined, they perfectly embody the "feminine" style of Beaujolais, capable of appealing both to lovers of light wines and to discerning palates seeking complexity and finesse.
The aromas of Fleurie often evoke peony, rose, violet and sometimes hints of fruit (redcurrant, raspberry, or cherry)... a real pleasure ! On the palate, the texture is supple and silky, supported by a beautiful freshness. The most accomplished cuvées possess a perfect balance between structure and delicacy, making them wines as enjoyable when young as after a few years of aging.
Winemaking practices vary from one estate to another, but the traditional Beaujolais method, known as semi-carbonic, remains the most widespread. This technique of whole-cluster maceration highlights the fruit and roundness of Gamay, while preserving its floral and spicy notes. Some houses opt for longer fermentations to obtain deeper and more structured red wines.
Finally, respect for the soil and the vine remains a priority. The organic approach, increasingly adopted, guarantees sincere and expressive wines, a true reflection of the terroir.This care given to the vineyard and winemaking contributes to the reputation of Fleurie as one of the most refined crus of Beaujolais, at the crossroads of charm and precision.
Fleurie owes much of its reputation to iconic wine estates, whose expertise perpetuates the tradition of Beaujolais.
Among the most renowned references, Clos de la Roilette stands out for its refined cuvées, often mentioned in the Hachette guide or the RVF (Revue du vin de France) guide for their consistency and finesse. This estate, located on the slopes of the Madone hill, perfectly illustrates the charm of Fleurie: bright color, intense floral bouquet, and delicate palate, with a balanced structure that allows the wine to gain complexity after a few years of aging. Pure pleasure and a real favorite !
A Fleurie wine is ideally enjoyed between 14 and 16 °C, a temperature that reveals the full richness of its aromatic bouquet: red and black fruits, floral notes, and subtle minerality. For a young wine, do not hesitate to decant it for 1 to 2 hours : this aeration softens the tannins and allows the aromas to fully express themselves, while bringing more suppleness to the palate.
In terms of pairings, Fleurie is extremely versatile. It pairs wonderfully with simple yet flavorful dishes, such as roasted poultry, grilled lamb chops, or rabbit with herbs. Its finesse and lightness also complement traditional Lyonnaise cuisine, such as hot sausage, pike quenelle, or cardoon gratin.
For lovers of more contemporary cuisine, Fleurie proves just as appealing : it pairs well with savory vegetable tarts, mushroom risotto, or grilled vegetable pizza, where its freshness and fruitiness bring balance and elegance. The more structured versions, from the best granitic plots, can even accompany tender meats, duck breast, or lightly spiced dishes, thus offering great versatility at the table.
Choosing a Fleurie wine is above all about enjoying yourself and considering the tasting occasion. This Beaujolais appellation offers a surprisingly varied range, from light and fruity reds to deeper and more structured cuvées. To select your bottle well, a few simple criteria can guide you.
The vintage is a determining factor. Warm years produce more full-bodied wines, rich in aromas of black fruits and jam, perfect for pairing with grilled meats or saucy dishes.The cooler years produce lighter, more elegant, and fresher wines, with notes of fresh fruit and a pleasant tension on the palate, ideal for light meals or indulgent aperitifs.
The terroir and the exposure of the plots also influence the style of the wine. Vines located on granite slopes produce finer, more floral, and mineral wines, while those at the bottom of the slopes, on more clayey soils, yield rounder and fruitier wines. This diversity allows you to adapt your choice according to your preferences and the type of dish you wish to pair. Do not hesitate to seek advice from your wine merchant or directly from the winemaker!
The type of viticulture and vinification can also be important criteria.Organic, biodynamic, or no added sulfite cuvées, for example, often better highlight the purity of the fruit and the natural expression of the terroir, with a subtle balance between freshness, finesse, and aromatic intensity. Winemaking techniques, such as carbonic maceration or short barrel aging, also influence the texture and aromatic profile of the wine.
Finally, the reputation of the estate or the winemaker can guide your choice. Some producers are known for their consistency and distinctive style, which ensures a tasting experience true to what you expect from a Fleurie. Do not hesitate to ask for advice or to check reviews from professionals such as the RVF guide or the La Hachette guide.
In summary, a good Fleurie is one that matches your taste, your dish, and your tasting moment. Explore different estates, compare the cuvées, and let your palate guide you to discover the many facets of this elegant and subtle Beaujolais cru!
Whether you are looking for an elegant and complex cuvée to give as a gift or a fruity red wine to share in all simplicity, our selection of AOC Fleurie wines and Beaujolais cuvées (Morgon, Chiroubles, Brouilly, Moulin-à-Vent, etc.) will allow you to find the Beaujolais that suits your tastes.
With us, each bottle is carefully selected to reflect the diversity of the vineyard as well as the richness of the estates. While this is true for Beaujolais wines, we apply the same precision to our selection from Burgundy or the Rhône Valley.
Discover now our organic wines, our favorites, as well as our best value for money ! Let our advice guide you in choosing the perfect Fleurie wine according to your preferences and food and wine pairings.
In summary, Fleurie is much more than just a simple red wine from Beaujolais. It embodies the elegance, finesse, and fruitiness of Gamay, expressed through cuvées carefully crafted by passionate estates. Its floral aromatic palette, suppleness, and balance make it an accessible yet refined wine, capable of appealing to both enthusiasts and connoisseurs.
Whether you are looking for an organic wine, a young and expressive cuvée to enjoy soon, or a Fleurie that gains complexity after a few years, our selection allows you to find the ideal bottle according to your tastes and your moments of sharing. With our attractive prices and our choice of exceptional estates, explore the richness of the vineyard and let yourself be charmed by the magic of Fleurie, an iconic appellation of Beaujolais.
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