Nestled between Burgundy in the north and Rh&ocirc;ne in the south, lies one of France&rsquo;s most charming yet often overlooked wine regions - Beaujolais. This picturesque region is known for its vibrant, fruit-forward wines made predominantly from the Gamay grape variety.

The history of winemaking in Beaujolais dates back over 2000 years when Romans planted vineyards along their trading routes. In later centuries, it was largely controlled by Benedictine monks who played a significant role in developing viticulture and winemaking techniques. However, it wasn&#39;t until the 14th century that the Gamay grape began to gain popularity as Duke Philip The Bold deemed Pinot Noir superior for his Burgundian estates and exiled Gamay to this region.

Beaujolais Nouveau &amp; Its Impact

One cannot discuss Beaujolais without mentioning Beaujolais Nouveau - a young red wine released just weeks after harvest each year on the third Thursday of November, celebrated with great fanfare as &quot;Beaujolais Nouveau Day&quot;. This light-bodied wine is meant for immediate drinking rather than cellaring. One of my mother&rsquo;s favorite wines.

However, this annual spectacle has led many people to assume that all Beaujolais wines are simple and lack depth. The reality couldn&#39;t be further from this misconception; while Nouveau represents a large portion of production (about one-third), there are also premium quality wines being produced here which bear no resemblance to their younger sibling.

The Region&#39;s Top Producers &amp; Food Pairings

Beaujolais can be divided into three main categories based on quality levels: Basic (or Classique) Beaujolais; Villages, produced from grapes grown in 38 specific villages; and Cru &ndash; ten top-quality areas each with their unique style. The Cru wines are where Beaujolais truly shines, with top producers such as Domaine des Terres Dor&eacute;es by Jean-Paul Brun, Ch&acirc;teau Thivin and Marcel Lapierre creating expressive and complex wines that can rival many from the more prestigious regions of Burgundy.

Try these staff recommended available from Grape The Wine Company:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Camille-Melinand-Fleurie-2020-w7869273pq" target="_blank">Camille Melinand - Fleurie 2020</a> - $31.99 &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Jean-Foillard-Fleurie-2020-w28251975z" target="_blank">Jean Foillard - Fleurie 2020</a> - $59.99

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Labruyere-Moulin-a-Vent-Clos-du-Moulin-2020-w3284907cr" target="_blank">Labruyere - Moulin a Vent Clos du Moulin 2020</a> - $110

In terms of food pairings, Beaujolais is a versatile wine due to its bright acidity and low tannins. It pairs beautifully with a range of dishes including charcuterie, roast chicken, grilled salmon or even sushi.

Distinguishing Beaujolais from other C&ocirc;te d&#39;Or Wine Regions

While Beaujolais shares a border with the esteemed Burgundy region (collectively known as C&ocirc;te d&#39;Or), it has distinct differences in climate, soil type and grape variety which results in contrasting wine styles.

The primary grape in Beaujolais is Gamay which thrives on the granite soils found here - producing aromatic wines with red fruit flavors and floral notes. In contrast, Burgundy&#39;s Pinot Noir prefers limestone-clay soils yielding more structured wines characterized by earthy undertones.

Moreover, while both regions employ traditional winemaking methods like hand-harvesting and minimal intervention techniques; semi-carbonic maceration &ndash; fermenting whole bunches of grapes under carbon dioxide before pressing - is widely used in Beaujolais to enhance the fruity character of Gamay.

Beaujolais offers an exciting journey for wine beginners: from its fun-loving Nouveau to its sophisticated Crus; there&rsquo;s much to explore beyond what meets the eye (or palate). It might not have the grandeur associated with Bordeaux or Champagne but this humble region delivers an unrivalled combination of quality and value that makes it well worth your attention.

Nestled between Burgundy in the north and Rhône in the south, lies one of France’s most charming yet often overlooked wine regions - Beaujolais. This picturesque region is known for its vibrant, fruit-forward wines made predominantly from the Gamay grape variety.

Intro to Beaujolais Wine: An Unsung Hero of French Viticulture

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

Spring into Rosé: The Perfect Wine for Warmer Weather

We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

Robert Tas interviews wine educator, author, and sommelier Jane Lopes about her new book, Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. 

Wine Book Review - Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. 

Jane Lopes

Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles

Jane Lopes Author

RT: Hello and Welcome to Corkrules!

I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with my special guest Jane Lopes one of the most accomplished master sommeliers and author Vignette: 
Stories of life and wine in 100 bottles.

Hello Jane, thanks for being here on CorkRules, - a podcast where we help simplify and demystify the wine lists at your favorite restaurants. We usually talk with certified sommeliers, wine/food professionals who point out interesting bottles, classic food and wine pairings, hidden gems,&nbsp; value wines, or splurge wines that will take our experience over the top. But today we are here to talk about your fabulous book &ndash; Vignette Stories of Life and Wine (in 100 Bottles).

JL: Thank you so excited to be here.

RT: Jane, I loved your book for a number of reasons but let&rsquo;s start by getting to know you a little and your journey.

JL: (Give a little bio, background, journey in wine, to writing the book, what you&rsquo;re doing today, new projects coming.)

RT:&nbsp; So Jane, your book is part memoir and part wine education. I loved your stories, they were real, genuine and raw. Can we start by talking how the book came about?

JL: (Talk about the idea of writing a book.)

RT: Your personal story is so inspiring, can you talk about what got you into wine? &nbsp;

JL: (The beginning)

RT: Talk about the journey to pass the master sommelier exam. As the only woman in Australia, and one of only 34 women in the world to pass the become Master Sommelier.

JL: (Master)

RT: Let&rsquo;s talk about Madison Park and Catbird seat. I&rsquo;d love to hear more about how those journeys&#39; shaped you.

JL: (Madison/Catbird)

RT: So let&rsquo;s pivot to 100 wines in your book, we are a wine podcast after all. Why these?

JL: (Let&rsquo;s name some specifics).

RT: People would have expected a list of only high-end wines, bucket list wines but you call out some very reasonable ones.

JL: Talk about the value of wines and why

RT: I really loved your book for a number of reasons but the education part was excellent, we here at CorkRules are always about making wine more accessible, can you talk more about how the education piece, the illustrations and what the wine world could continue to do?

JL: Education

RT: Jane, thank you for being our guest today.

To our audience, Please go and read Jane Lopes&rsquo; fabulous book &ndash; Vignette&nbsp; 
Stories of life and wine in 100 bottles&nbsp;we will add a link on our site.

To our audience, Thank you all for joining us here on Corkrules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants or wine industry person, please send us email to:

Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime,

please check out our website for all our latest episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists or wherever you get your podcasts.

Also please download our CorkRules app to find the perfect bottle at all your favorite restaurants.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Cheers

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

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10 Greek Street

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Matteos Ristorante Italiano

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Soalheiro is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Vinho Verde region in Portugal. The winery is known for its high-quality Alvarinho wines, which are produced using sustainable farming practices and traditional winemaking techniques. Soalheiro's wines are characterized by their freshness, minerality, and complexity.

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Lilia

French Louie

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

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