Beaujolais is an important wine region in eastern France, famous for its vibrant, Fruity red wines made from Gamay. It is located immediately South of Burgundy, of which it is sometimes considered a Part, although it is in the administrative region of Rhône. The extensive plantings of Gamay in this region make Beaujolais one of the few regions in the world that is so concentrated on a single Grape variety. Pinot Noir is used in small quantities in red and rosé wines, but in the name of regional identity, it is being phased out and will only be allowed until the 2015 harvest.
Although best known for its red wines, the region also produces white Beaujolais Blanc, from Chardonnay and Aligote. These two white wine varieties are also sometimes used in local red wines, in which they can make up to 15% of the Final blend. There are several forms of Beaujolais red wine: standard Beaujolais (including Beaujolais Supérieur), Beaujolais Villages and the Young, characterful Beaujolais Nouveau. The highest quality wines of the region are those of the ten Beaujolais crus - ten wine regions Long recognized as the best in the region.
Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest red grape varieties in Bordeaux. The Libourne region is its terroir where it develops best. The terroirs of Saint-Emilion and Fronsac allow it to mature and develop its best range of aromas. It is also the majority in many blends. The very famous Château Cheval Blanc, for example, uses 60% Cabernet Franc. The wines produced with Cabernet Franc are medium in colour with fine tannins and subtle aromas of small red fruits and spices. When blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it brings complexity and a bouquet of aromas to the wine. It produces fruity wines that can be drunk quite quickly, but whose great vintages can be kept for a long time. It is an earlier grape variety than Cabernet Sauvignon, which means that it is planted as far north as the Loire Valley. In Anjou, it is also used to make sweet rosé wines. Cabernet Franc is now used in some twenty countries in Europe and throughout the world.
red wines from the region of Beaujolais go well with generally quite well with dishes of pasta, veal or pork such as recipes of capellini with prosciutto, milanese cutlets like in italy or roast pork with mustard and honey.
On the nose in the region of Beaujolais often reveals types of flavors of cherry, blackberry or red fruit and sometimes also flavors of strawberries, violet or leather. In the mouth in the region of Beaujolais is a with a nice freshness.
