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This time of the year the harvest of most European vineyards are complete and the cycle starts to get ready for pruning and a bit of a sleep throughout winter. The harvest in Beaujolais ‘22 was spectacular with v high quality throughout the 10 Crus (designated named regions) albeit the yields were down a tad creating a price rise as quantity will also be low.
Beaujolais is situated to the East of France sitting to the top of Burgundy. It is often ‘lumped’ together with Burgundy (in wine terms) but it really is an autonomous region with its soils and grapes unique to its heritage.
The young winemakers of Beaujolais are a well-travelled bunch as many will seek work in other hemispheres with completely different climes. This will educate the Vignerons and Winemakers in Beaujolais to different styles of wine, winemaking and longevity.
During the past 10 ears or so I have certainly seen a marked difference in winemaking styles coming out of the (often) small cellars littered in all sub-regions in Beaujolais.
Things never stand still so it would be a shame if wine lovers didn’t search out these ‘new gems’ from Saint Amour in the north to Brouilly in the south.
Gone are the days of a ‘cooperative’ style of harvesting as the Crus all want to show their mettle with individual taste, textures and memories.
Blessed with some great vintages of late Beaujolais has been experiencing resurgence with renewed interest in this rustic, rural vinous heaven.
With plenty of styles to choose from plus the opportunity to purchase some Beaujolais Nouveaux to take a peek at the vintage first hand as the young wine is released on the UK market on Thursday November 17th. No doubt there will be plenty of merry-making with breakfasts, lunches and dinners with a hedonistic ‘Beaujolais’ theme peering out during the festivities.
It gives all chefs out there an opportunity to hone up their Boeuf Bourguignon skills for the onslaught of hungry diners…
I will be no exception with a three-day Boeuf Bourguignon (marinating, cooking, resting) being prepared in my kitchen ready for my Wine Clubs annual Beaujolais bash!
This year I will also be serving a Beaujolais Blanc ’20 (Chardonnay) from Clos du Vieux Bourg offering a defined freshness, elegant fruit profile and minerality. I love this Beaujolais Blanc and so should you! Serve with delicate Smoked Fish dishes for a great treat.
Just £13.95 for 75cl (mix six) from www.wickhamwine.co.uk
I quick breeze into Wickhams Beaujolais portfolio you will find a plethora of styles as previously mentioned.
Take for example the affordable Domaines Roches Bleues ‘Les Cru Du Volcan’ Brouilly 2019 £11.25 mix six, showing a gritty, earthy note over ripe fruit.
Domaine De Mont Jolly ‘La Pointe’ Beaujolais Villages 2018 £17.09 mix six. With ancient vines (average 48 years old) expect a deep scented blast of ripe fruit. Slipping into elegance and texture.
Clos De Vieux Bourg ‘Croix Penet’ Regnie 2021 315.75 mix six - will show a gentleness and elegance with a fresh, gluggable style often associated with the Regnie Cru. Great with Charcuterie.
Last Chateau Du Moulin a Vent ‘Couvent Des Thorins’ Moulin a Vent 2019 £19.79 mix six. Moulin a Vent is often hailed as the ‘King of Beaujolais’ with its tight age-worthy structure, dense black fruits, spice and floral notes. This is no exception.
Ripe, pungent French Cheese would be a great match.
So as you see from my recent tasting (notes) I am a fan!
Last but not least if you are planning your own Beaujolais Bash don’t forget Beaujolais Nouveaux Domaine Mont Jolly ’22 £13.95 mix six, delivered in time for your celebrations.