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Beaujolais Brilliance
The Magic of Beaujolais: More Than Just a November Celebration
Uncorked: Your Monthly Wine Exploration
Beaujolais Brilliance
The Magic of Beaujolais: More Than Just a November Celebration
Dear Wine Lovers,
As the crisp autumn winds sweep through the rolling hills of eastern France, we turn our attention to a wine region that captures both tradition and festivity: Beaujolais. This month, we're diving deep into the world of Beaujolais, exploring its unique character and the much-anticipated Beaujolais Nouveau.
Beaujolais: A Vibrant Viticultural Landscape
Nestled just south of Burgundy, the Beaujolais region is a testament to the art of winemaking. Characterized by its granite-rich soils and distinctive Gamay grape, Beaujolais produces wines that are as charming as the landscape itself. Unlike the more serious, oak-aged wines of its northern neighbour, Beaujolais offers a lighter, more playful wine experience.

The Beaujolais Grape: Gamay's Glory
The Gamay grape is the star of this region. Thin-skinned and light-bodied, it produces wines that are:
Incredibly fruity
Low in tannins
Bursting with bright red fruit flavours
Meant to be enjoyed young and fresh
Beaujolais Nouveau: A Global Celebration
Every third Thursday of November, the wine world erupts in excitement with the release of Beaujolais Nouveau. This young wine, fermented for just a few weeks before release, is more than just a beverage—it's a global celebration of the year's harvest. The secret to its unique character lies in carbonic maceration, a fermentation process where whole grape clusters are fermented in a carbon dioxide-rich environment. This method produces wines that are fruity, aromatic, and low in tannins. The entire process—from vine to bottle—happens in just a few short weeks!
Tasting Notes for Beaujolais Nouveau 2024:
Colour: Vibrant purple red
Aroma: Fresh banana, bubble gum, and ripe strawberries
Flavour Profile: Light, juicy, with playful fruit notes
Serving Suggestion: Slightly chilled, paired with autumn appetizers.
Beyond Nouveau: The World of Beaujolais Wines
While Beaujolais Nouveau is fun and fleeting, the broader Beaujolais region offers wines with greater depth and complexity, perfect for those seeking something more sophisticated.

The Beaujolais Hierarchy
Beaujolais AOC: Simple, easy-drinking wines, often enjoyed young.
Beaujolais-Villages AOC: From higher-quality vineyards, these wines have more structure and complexity.
The Crus of Beaujolais: The pinnacle of Beaujolais winemaking, these 10 Crus (like Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-à-Vent) offer diverse styles ranging from light and floral to robust and age-worthy.
Pairing Recommendations
This month, we recommend:
Charcuterie boards
Roasted poultry
Mushroom dishes
Light pasta plates
Cheers to exploration and the joy of wine!
Your Devoted Sommelier