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

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Dirty French

Michaela Quinlan

Dirty French

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;A podcast where, in each episode, we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, Certified Sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another great wine list.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created Corkrules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that it can be intimidating and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Dirty French. Located in the posh Ludlow Hotel down in the lower East side of Manhattan. You will be transported to a classic, timeless French bistro and get to hang with all the cool kids. I can hear the music vibing already!

Dirty French also operates a Lobby Bar where you may dine and drink indoors and outdoors in that swanky garden courtyard.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of this super-rich French wine list?

MQ: What better to pair with classic French cuisine, than stellar, French wine standouts from this extensive list? I am looking forward to sharing several with you.

RT: Me too, I love my French wines for sure. As you looked the list did you see anything special regions jump out at you?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with a unique wine destination in France, Savoie &ldquo;Sav-wah.&rdquo; This region is located in the French Alps, and is a haven for white wine lovers. If you are looking to pair fondue, or savory sauces, I would begin with the 2018 Allobroges Blanc,&nbsp;Ardoisi&egrave;res&nbsp;Argile St Pierre de Soucy. This Argiles blend of Chardonnay, Jacquere, and Mondeuse Blanc is rich and round&hellip;think white Burgundy, with a hint of floral aromas.

RT: Who doesn&rsquo;t love the alps. That is for sure unique.

So, Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: A must-try would be to head to the small region of Bandol located within Provence. This region is known for its limited roses produced along with a picturesque coastal climate. You must try the 2017 
Bandol,&nbsp;Domaine Tempier. This red wine made from the Mouvedre grape, exudes pepper, blackberry, and cassis. This is your go to when that spicy dish catches your eye.

RT: That sounds right up my alley. These are some suggestions.

So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and what bottle should we order with dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: The Valentin Morel, C&ocirc;tes du Jura&nbsp;Les Trouillots 2018 is a unique white wine from the region of Jura, a neighbor to Savoie. This wine is 100% Chardonnay. The wine does spend some time in oak, so you experience a fuller-bodied wine with hints of baked apple. Perfect to pair with tuna or other rich, seafood selections.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Yum. Michaela, any hidden value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: Absolutely! The 2020 Muscadet S&egrave;vre-et-Maine,&nbsp;La Pepiere&nbsp;Clos des Briords is always a favorite. The Muscadet grape is grown in the Loire Valley. Let&rsquo;s not get confused with Moscato. Moscato is often a sweeter, white or rose wine. The Muscadet is a light and quite dry white wine. This is your easy sipper on its own, or perfect pairing with oysters can clams. Excellent wine for an excellent price.

RT: Now Michaela, what if were celebrating a special occasion where we want to break the bank?

MQ: I do love a classic&hellip;with that said, let&rsquo;s head to Chateauneuf du Pape for the Ch&aacute;teauneuf-du-Pape,&nbsp;Beaucastel 2014. This Southern Rhone classic has been in operation since the sixteenth century producing award-winning grenache/syrah blends. What I love about Chateauneuf du Pape is that the soil has a top layer of stones that warm in the sun during the day that keep the grapes warm during the cooler evenings. This balances the acidity for this stunning wine.

RT: I&rsquo;ve had this wine before and it&rsquo;s fantastic. Blackberry and pepper comes to mind. Full-bodied wine. You can drink this for the next 10 or so.

MQ: Absolutely!

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Dirty French&rsquo;s very French Wine List. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@corkrules.Com</a> 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 other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

G.D. Vajra is a family-owned winery located in the Langhe region of Piedmont, Italy. The winery was founded in 1972 by Alda and Giuseppe Vajra and is currently run by their children. The winery is known for its high-quality Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as well as its commitment to sustainable winemaking practices.

Modest restaurant preparing thin-crust pizza, baked pasta, strip steak & other Italian classics.

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

The View

Il Capriccio

Clarity

Bellissimo Restaurant

Bellissimo

Sandbar

Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn

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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