During the pandemic, while most of the retail stores were closed, I found my love for online shopping and Beaujolais wine! I was looking for a lighter red to sip during the Spring and Summer months. I read an article about the Beaujolais wine region, so I decided to order a few different wines to try. I was amazed by how light and balanced they tasted. And, they paired really well with the lighter dishes I was serving. I spent my entire Summer tasting and pairing the different styles of Beaujolais.
Beaujolais Region
Beaujolais is a region in eastern France, south of Burgundy, producing mostly lighter to medium-bodied red wines from the Gamay grape. There are 3 classifications of Beaujolais wine: Beaujolais AOP, Beaujolais Village AOP, and Cru Beaujolais.
Beaujolais AOP
The biggest area in the Beaujolais region consists of over 60 villages. The wines from this region are younger, and easier to drink because of their low acidity and low tannin. The grapes for these wines can come from anywhere within the Beaujolais region. Their flavor profile tends to be more fruity with hints of ripe berries. If you have never tried Beaujolais wines, this is a great place to start!
Beaujolais Village AOP
The next classification is Beaujolais-Villages. The grapes for “Village-level” wines must be grown in the area known as Haut-Beaujolais, which is in the northern part of the Beaujolais region. These wines are a little more complex with a richer color and flavor profile.
Cru Beaujolais
The most well-regarded in the region, Cru Beaujolais are more complex and range in style from lighter-bodied wines to fuller-bodied wines that can age well. There are 10 Cru areas, all in the North, each referring to a specific area of Beaujolais region: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié, and Saint-Amour. Each Cru Beaujolais has a unique style and personality based on climate and soil. I love to explore these wines and compare their style!
Pairings
Beaujolais is crisp and acidic with low tannins making it a very food-friendly wine. It can pair nicely with lighter dishes as well as with richer sauces and fattier foods. And many Beaujolais wines have a fruit-forward flavor profile which allows them to pair nicely with fruity sauces. Beaujolais wine is a favorite to serve with the Thanksgiving meal
My Favorite Pairings
This recipe is the epitome of a Simply Paired
meal. It is light and healthy yet full of flavor.
Especially when paired with a fruity
Beaujolais wine!
