|
|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
SFPFS Wine SIG Takes a Beaujolais Cruise By Rodger Helwig ![]() It was a beautiful Spring day when the SFPFS Wine SIG set sail on a tasting expedition through the vineyards of Beaujolais, focusing our attention on the ten crus—those French “growth” classifications that produce the top wines of this region. Lying north of Lyon, Beaujolais covers part of the Rhône and part of Burgundy. This region about twice the size of Rhode Island has a climate similar to the Rhône’s. Of the ten crus, seven are named for villages: Chiroubles, Régnié, Fleurie, Saint-Amour, Chénas, Juliénas and Morgon. Two—Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly—are vineyard areas around Mont Brouilly. Moulin-à-Vent gets its name from a local windmill. The thin-skinned Gamay grape is the region’s standard bearer. It produces light-bodied red wines with bright acidity, low tannins, and moderate alcohol. Spurred by the creative marketing of negociant Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais hit its peak of popularity in the 1980s with Beaujolais Nouveau. This simple, light, purple-pink wine is fermented just a few weeks before its ceremonious release on the third Thursday of November each year. Beaujolais Cru is altogether different. Of the ten we sampled, the group preferred the medium- to full-bodied crus. Wines were reasonably priced for quality, ranging from $12.95 to $22.95. The evening’s favorite was the rich, elegantly spicy 2005 St. Amour, “3 Terroirs,” produced by Mommessin, available at K&L in San Francisco for $19.99. Next choice was the 2005 Moulin-à-Vent, Clos Du Tremblay, from Plumpjack Wines in San Francisco at $19.99, displaying deep, earthy notes and a long finish. Not far behind was the 2005 Côtes de Brouilly, “La Montagne Bleu,” another Mommessin wine, $16.99 at K&L. Many called this wine seductive and somewhat Burgundian in character. While most of these wines can be enjoyed within a few years of harvest, some can age up to ten years. The 2005 is considered to be one of the best vintages ever in Beaujolais. No need to board a ship to get on board with these cru’s! |
List of Recent Events June 2008 Honey Tasting SIG June 2008 Food Writing Book Club SIG June 2008 Digs Bistro June 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Showdown May 2008 A Visit to Careme 350 May 2008 Cooking Teachers SIG May 2008 San Mateo Members Meet May 2008 South Bay Members Connect April 2008 Wine SIG takes a Beaujolais Cruise April 2008 Demystifying the Food/Wine Dilemma March 2008 Pasta tasting
March 2008
February 2008
June 2007
June 2007
January 2007
January 2006
September 19, 2005
June 22, 2005
May 25, 2005
May 18. 2005
April 28, 2005
February 15, 2005
October 22, 2004
July 12, 2004
May 17, 2004 |
||||
|
|
||||||
|
|
|
|||||
| Home | About SFPFS | Become a Member | Calendar/Events | Resources/Links | Member Services | Newsletter | Food in Perspective | Contact Us | ||||||