The best Beaujolais come from one of the area’s 10 named crus, or classified growths. … Both Nouveau and the crus are made from the same Gamay grape. Nouveau wines are vinified quickly, via carbonic maceration, and made in a drink-now style.
In this way, When should I drink Beaujolais?
Drink Beaujolais nouveau as soon as possible; you can keep it unopened until the new year, but it’s best to drink it before the following May – a six month shelf life. If you age it too long, it will develop flat flavors with a distinct lack of fruitiness or even a heavy vinegar aroma.
Hereof, Is Beaujolais Villages better than Beaujolais?
As a result, Beaujolais Villages wines are considered to be of a higher quality than those of the straight Beaujolais appellation. These juicy, light bodied wines are based overwhelmingly on the Gamay grape variety. They display varietal characters of red fruit and spice.
Consequently Which Beaujolais is the best quality? Best Beaujolais Wines in 2021 (Including Tasting Notes, Prices)
- 2010 Yvon Metras Fleurie Cuvee l’Ultime. …
- 2007 Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon ‘Cuvee 3.14’ …
- 2016 Château des Bachelards Comtesse de Vazeilles Fleurie Le Clos. …
- 2011 Château du Moulin-a-Vent ‘Moulin-a-Vent’ Clos de Londres Château. …
- 2005 Yvon Métras Fleurie.
In this regard, What does Beaujolais mean in French?
Beaujolais is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée wine generally made of the Gamay grape which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. … The wine takes its name from the historical Beaujolais province and wine producing region.
Is Beaujolais Villages a good wine?
As a result, Beaujolais Villages wines are considered to be of a higher quality than those of the straight Beaujolais appellation. These juicy, light bodied wines are based overwhelmingly on the Gamay grape variety. … Most of this is red wine, with just small amounts of white and rosé wine produced.
18 Related Questions and Answers
Is Beaujolais good wine?
It’s a great value!
Best of all, especially for the budget conscious, Beaujolais remains one of the best values in the world of wine. Really top quality Beaujolais starts under $20 and even the greatest producers rarely charge more than $40 a bottle.
Does Beaujolais Villages age well?
Does Beaujolais Age Well? Yes! Beaujolais is delicious on release but the best Beaujolais, especially from the top Beaujolais Crus, age beautifully and should be a part of any reasonably priced cellar.
Should you chill Beaujolais?
Using the varietal Gamay, the wines of Beaujolais should be slightly chilled and served just below room temperature in order to accentuate the refreshing fruit notes that are naturally present. These wines are intended to be approachable, unpretentious, easy drinking, and fun.
Is Beaujolais expensive?
For most of the last decade, cru Beaujolais has been synonymous with charming, vivid wines that dependably fall in the $60 to $70 range on wine lists. … There are plenty of explanations for why the cost of Beaujolais has been on a steep rise. Many are quick to blame Burgundy.
Is Beaujolais a Burgundy?
A region that dares to be different, Beaujolais is part of Burgundy but is in many ways its own region. It makes renowned wine from Gamay, a light red grape that struggles to find success anywhere else in the world.
What does Beaujolais Nouveau mean in English?
Beaujolais Nouveau in American English
(ˌbouʒəˈlei nuːˈvou, French bouʒɔle nuːˈvou) noun. the first Beaujolais wine of the season, usually available for sale within two months after the grapes are harvested.
Is Beaujolais the same as Burgundy?
Not only are they close, the Beaujolais region is, technically speaking, part of the same administrative region as Burgundy. But Beaujolais isn’t Burgundy. It’s very much its own thing, with its own terroir, history, winemaking styles, personalities. And important for most of us wine lovers: with much lower prices.
Should Beaujolais be chilled?
Using the varietal Gamay, the wines of Beaujolais should be slightly chilled and served just below room temperature in order to accentuate the refreshing fruit notes that are naturally present. These wines are intended to be approachable, unpretentious, easy drinking, and fun.
Does Beaujolais need to breathe?
Most wines in fact, don’t need aeration as much as people think. The following reds, as noble and wonderful as they are, do not need fancy decanters: Light-bodied, naturally less tannic reds such as: Pinot Noir, Burgundy, Beaujolais, and Cotes du Rhone, lighter Zinfandels, and lighter-bodied Chiantis, and Dolcettos.
What are the three different quality levels of Beaujolais?
The wines of Beaujolais are divided into three in three Classifications: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, and Beaujolais Crus.
Does Beaujolais wine go bad?
Regular Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages (not Nouveau) should be consumed within 2 years of the vintage date on the bottle. Cru Beaujolais (we’ll get to that in a hot minute) is usually safe up to 3 years, but some can even last to 10 years depending on the vintage.
How long is Beaujolais wine good for?
Given that Beaujolais is light and fruit-driven, most wines are best consumed within the first year or two of bottling (apart from Beaujolais Nouveau, which should be consumed as soon as possible). The best cru Beaujolais, however, is capable of aging for up to 10 years.
What temperature should you drink Beaujolais?
The ideal temperature range for Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages reds is 13°C to 14°C on average. Beaujolais crus are best drunk at between 15°C and 17°C, especially for the well structured crus like Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon, Juliénas and Chénas; 17°C is recommended for wines over 3 years old.
What is the healthiest red wine?
1. Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is considered the healthiest red wine you can drink. Unlike many of the reds on this list, Pinot grapes have a thin skin, so Pinot Noir has low tannins but high levels of resveratrol.
Is there a white Beaujolais?
Beaujolais white wines are produced in the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages AOCs by nearly 500 of the region’s 3000 estates. About 2 million bottles are produced a year. Increasingly in demand by connoisseurs, the personality of these wines is surprising.
Is Pinot Noir like Beaujolais?
Yes, cru Beaujolais wines are made from Gamay grapes, but their texture and mouthfeel can be quite similar to Pinot Noir. … Indeed, where these two wines differ most dramatically, for the moment at least, is in price. Shoppers can find several well-made cru Beaujolais offerings in the $20 range.
What food does Beaujolais go with?
Beaujolais is almost always a winner with French charcuterie such as patés, terrines, rillettes and saucisson sec and with white-rinded cheeses such as Brie and Camembert (provided they’re not overripe) but it’s a highly versatile wine that can easily take you through a meal where people are ordering different things.
