Deciphering the appellations of Beaujolais

The Beaujolais vineyard covers 17,324 hectares and runs along a strip of 10 to 15 kilometers wide and 50 kilometers long, from Mâcon in the north to Lyon in the south, on the hilly slopes of the Beaujolais mountains which reach an altitude of 700 to over 1000 m.

The Beaujolais vineyard covers 17,324 hectares and runs along a strip of 10 to 15 kilometers wide and 50 kilometers long, from Mâcon in the north to Lyon in the south, on the hilly slopes of the Beaujolais mountains which reach an altitude of 700 to over 1000 m.

With seventy-three different types of soils on a relatively small surface, Beaujolais has a wide range of expressions. Among the diversity of soil types, we can schematically distinguish two main types of soils: soils predominantly clay-limestone and soils predominantly granite.

The Beaujolais region enjoys an ideal climate for the vine growing. Oriented to the East and the South, the vineyard hugs hills protected from the west winds, which experience sunny summers with some Mediterranean influences. The climate is therefore temperate and rarely cold.

The grape “Gamay Noir” reigns supreme on this earth, and offers an extraordinary palette of wines, from the finest and aromatic: Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages, to the richest and most complex: the ten Beaujolais crus, each possessing a specific character linked to different soils: Brouilly, Chiroubles, Chenas, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié, Saint-Amour.

The Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages appellations also have a real star: the Beaujolais Nouveau, which the whole world is looking forward to on the third Thursday of November. Indeed, what a wonderful and timeless idea to celebrate the new wine, to share a moment of conviviality at the beginning of winter and discover the fragrances and aromas of the new vintage.

In a more confidential way, some winemakers in Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages grow outstanding Beaujolais Blanc (made from the Chardonnay grape) and Beaujolais Rosé (from the Gamay Noir grape), and Crémants also.

Find more information on the following website: https://www.vins-du-beaujolais.com/