1st June 2021 | Cork Talk | 4 minute read
The go-to for summer drinking for many is a crisp white wine or rosé, with the common misconception being that red is too heavy for a warm day. Well, we’re here to dispel this crazy myth and tell you why this couldn’t be more wrong! A light, refreshing glass of red wine is absolutely heavenly on a lazy summer afternoon, you just need to choose the right drop.
Beaujolais wines are famously silky and fruity – and sure to be your new go-to vino for the summer! We take you through the reasons why.
Beaujolais is a light to medium-bodied red wine made from the Gamay grape variety – a purple coloured grape with very thin skins. As wine tannins come from grape skins and seeds, a thinner skin will naturally produce a wine with super subtle tannins, which is exactly what happens with Beaujolais.
It gets its name from the Beaujolais wine region in which it’s produced, located in eastern France. And its location is key, as it explains how these red wines are so light and fresh compared to most other reds. Being a slightly cooler region than some of its neighbouring appellations, the red wines produced here have a vibrant acidity that would usually be associated with clean and crisp white wines.
With a whopping 97% of Beaujolais vineyards planted with Gamay, this is undeniably a style of red wine that’s synonymous with this specific area of France.
On the nose, you can expect fresh red fruit flavours such as red cherry and raspberry, accompanied by delicate floral wisps of violet. On the palate, you’ll find tart fruit flavours including red plum, underpinned by gentle earthy undertones. Silky smooth tannins round it all off, resulting in a rather seductive, easy-drinking style of red wine.
Because this is a red wine that’s so elegant and supple, Beaujolais actually benefits from being slightly chilled shortly before serving.
Keep it cool, but not cold, as this will interfere with the wine’s elegant aromas and graceful characteristics. Half an hour or so in the fridge is about right, as Beaujolais is at its best at around15°C to 17°C. The younger examples of Beaujolais wine – known as Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages Nouveau – are actually better at 12°C (the rule here being the younger and fresher the wine, the more it benefits from being chilled).
Being so easy drinking and refreshing, Beaujolais really is the ultimate French red for catch ups in the sunshine, picnics and alfresco dining. If you tend to prefer your reds over any other type of wine, then these distinctive light reds are sure to be a game-changer for your summer wine rack!
Highlights in our Beaujolais range include the gloriously fresh, red fruit-driven Brouilly Louis Tete. With a gorgeous deep ruby hue, a luscious mouthfeel, fresh forest fruit aromas and moreish Morello cherry on the palate, this Cru Beaujolais is a fine example of what’s on offer in this region.
For something with a more complex palate, Fleurie Les Moriers Domaine Chignard Beaujolais offers floral notes on the nose, along with savoury nuances and delicious liquorice nuances. Of course, you also get the trademark bright red fruit flavours and zippy acidity that you’d expect from a good Cru Beaujolais.
To explore the full range, hit the red button below!
