Beaujolais

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard extends across 77 communes in the Rhône département and 11 communes in the Saône-et-Loire département, at elevations ranging from 180 to 550 metres above sea level.
• In the north, sandy or clay soils with an acidic reaction derive from Hercynian Palaeozoic rocks: granites, porphyries, schists, and volcano-sedimentary rocks that are often metamorphosed. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• In the south, sedimentary formations from the Triassic and Jurassic periods, predominantly calcareous, produce generally more clay-rich and deeper soils, with the Aalenian 'pierres dorées' (golden stones) appearing at the surface. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)

• The red and rosé wines are based principally on Gamay, trained as gobelet-pruned vines with short spurs to control the variety's vigour, while the whites come exclusively from Chardonnay.
• The release date of Beaujolais nouveau on the third Thursday of November, formalised in 1985, stems from a primeur tradition dating back to the nineteenth century and from an administrative ruling of 13 November 1951.

• The red wines have a light colour and a fruity, floral profile that is appreciated from a very young age, while the Villages wines show a powerful, structured palate capable of ageing for several years.
• Wines carrying the 'primeur' or 'nouveau' designation are intended for early consumption, within 6–12 months of their production, while standard bottles generally reach their full maturity very quickly and may be kept for two to ten years.

Facts drawn from the cahier's terroir-link section (Lien au terroir) by automatic interpretation — see the source.

Dénominations géographiques complémentaires

• Beaujolais Beaujeu AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Blacé AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Cercié AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Charentay AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Chânes AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Denicé AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Emeringes AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Jullié AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais La Chapelle-de-Guinchay AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Lancié AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Lantignié AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Le Perréon AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Les Ardillats AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Leynes AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Marchampt AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Odenas AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Pruzilly AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Quincié-en-Beaujolais AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Rivolet AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Romanèche-Thorins AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Didier-sur-Beaujeu AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Etienne-des-Oullières AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Etienne-la-Varenne AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Julien AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Lager AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Saint-Symphorien-d'Ancelles AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Vaux-en-Beaujolais AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Vauxrenard AOC (PDO)
• Beaujolais Villages AOC (PDO)

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF), JORF 9 septembre 2022
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — Inter Beaujolais