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Discovering Beaujolais — Beyond Nouveau
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SFWTC has a great selection of Beaujolais wines, including:
Dominique Piron, Rose Beaujolais  Domaine Dupeuble, Beaujolais Maison Trenel, Beaujolais Villages Domaine Chignard, Fleurie, Les Moriers Guy Breton, Regnie Beaujolais George Duboeuf, Beaujolais Julienas Maison Trenel, Beaujolais, Saint Amour Marcel Lapierre, Beaujolais Morgon, Cuvee Lapierre MMVII
There is but one Gamay Noir. Most of the Gamay found in the New World (California included) is not the same Gamay Noir that is native to Beaujolais. Although many California vintners label their wines “Gamay” these wines are in fact not Gamay Noir but are instead the variety known as Valdeguie, which is actually a clone of Pinot Noir. In terms of the flavor profile, the hallmarks are a combination of dark cherry, strawberry, black pepper and violets. In the richer wines that see some degree of oak, dried berries, currants, smoke and vanilla are also present in varying degrees. There is a Beaujolais wine perfect for any occasion!
 - Gamay Noir has low sugar levels and an alcohol content that’s naturally low, making it the perfect summer red, offering luscious spice box and red fruit flavors with minimal tannins and bright thirst-quenching acidity.
- If you love the rich minerality found in the wines of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune and the sun-kissed reds of the Rhône Valley then you will love the 10 Crus of Beaujolais as they lie right in between the two regions.
- The great 10 Crus remain largely unknown outside of France (for the most part they are both underrated and largely misunderstood as they are often mistakenly associated with Beaujolais Nouveau). This translates to a high quality-price-ratio for these wines, making their attraction doubly appealing both for their low cost and high quality level.
- Sharing much in common stylistically with French Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir à Jus hails from ten distinct appellations defined by their highly individualized terroir, offering varied wines of profound distinction, quality and value.
- The traditional long fermentation practiced throughout the region accounts for the increased presence of procyanidins, a compound that has been linked to a reduced risk of coronary heart disease and an increase in longevity.
 The Gamay Noir grape variety is the lifeblood for the twelve appellations of Beaujolais. These twelve appellations are further divided into three categorical levels of quality––the most common Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages and the 10 Crus of Beaujolais. The first two are for the most part sold as Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau. It is of course the 10 Crus that are producing age-worthy, complex wines of impeccable quality at attractive price points.
BROUILLY is the largest cru in Beaujolais with soils that are a complex mix of granite and sand. The wines are noted for their earthy spice and assortment of blueberries, cherries, raspberries and currants.
CÔTE de BROUILLY (along with Brouilly) are the two most southernmost crus. The soil of Côte de Brouilly is predominantly granite. Located at the base of an ext inct volcano, the wines from this region are more deeply concentrated and less earthy than those of Brouilly.
SAINT AMOUR is the northernmost cru of the Beaujolais region. Some say there's a violety, almost floral note to the fragrance of good Saint Amour wines while others claim that you can find a note of apricot fruit.
CHENAS is the smallest cru and is located adjacent to Moulin à Vent. Confusingly, the commune of Chénas lies within the area of Moulin à Vent. The wines are often a bit astringent right after bottling, but are prized for thier freshness and vibrancy and best consumed a couple of years after bottling.
CHIROUBLES is just south of Fleurie and north of Morgon and boasts vineyards with the highest altitudes among all the crus. Noted for its delicate perfumed bouquet that often includes violets, Chiroubles is considered the most short-lived of the top ten.
FLEURIE is said, by some, to be the main rival, quality-wise, to Moulin à Vent. This appellation is located south of Moulin à Vent and is composed mostly of granite. Its wines are described as smelling of flowers, hence the name Fleurie. They tend to be a bit lighter and less tannic than the famed Moulin à Vent.
JULIENAS is north of Chénas and takes its name from Julius Caesar. The soil is a mix of schist, clay and granite. These wines are usually at their best within a year or two of the vintage, but it depends of the particular producer and the harvest.
MORGON is north of Brouilly and its wines seem to vary from light and fruity to more deep and serious. The soil is a crumbly slate which the locals call roche pourrie (rotten rock). The more serious versions rival Moulin-A-Vent’s best wines and are very long lived.
MOULIN-A-VENT is the most prestigious Beaujolais cru. These tend to be a bit fuller in body and sometimes have more astringency than other Beaujolais wines. The wines are said to be more Burgundian in style and with age, this is often the case.
REGNIE Supple, well-structured; cherry-red with violet tints and aromas of red currants, blackberries and raspberries.
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