Beaujolais wine

                  Beaujolais is a region extending from the north of the Rhône
                  département (capital: Lyon) to the south of the Saône-et-Loire
                  département (capital: Mâcon). Beaujolais is located to the
                  South of another wine region, Burgundy.The name Beaujolais
                  comes from Beaujeu, which was once the capital of the region.

                  The soils of Beaujolais, a delightful countryside of low
                  hills, consist in granite and schist with a thin cover of
                  fertile sedimentary terrain.

                  The climate is sunny, semi-continental, protected by the
                  Massif Central mount to its West, and sweetened by the
                  Mediterranean sea influence. The relative proximity of the sea
                  allows the grapes to ripe fully, giving fruity wines.

                  Beaujolais is also a wine anyone knows. It is often said that
                  it is the third of Lyon rivers, after the Rhône and the Saône,
                  because it is a part of the lyonnaise gastronomy and
                  savoir-vivre.

                  Most of Beaujolais are red wines. The Beaujolais production is
                  based on Gamay grapes: usually not considered a quality grape,
                  this type of grains gives here its best, improved by hundred
                  years of experience from winegrowers; Romans indeed made wine
                  there 2000 years ago.

                  Beaujolais is classified in three different appellations:
                  - Beaujolais AOC are the most simple Beaujolais wines.
                  - Beaujolais-Villages AOC, the intermediate category, refers
                  to some wines from villages in the North of Beaujolais.
                  - Beaujolais cru refers to the best and most restricted
                  category in the Beaujolais classification. The word cru
                  designates an area in Beaujolais, with many wineyards, and not
                  the production of a single winegrower.

                  Crus:

                  Beaujolais wines have 10 different crus:
                  - Chiroubles, Brouilly, Régnié are light, fruity and crunchy,
                  with red berry and spices.
                  - Juliénas, Fleurie, Côte de Brouilly, St-Amour have a solid
                  tannin structure with floral aromas of violet, iris and peony.
                  - Chénas (a spray of flowers in a velvet basket),
                  Moulin-à-Vent, and Morgon are appreciated crus; rich, intense,
                  mineral,with cherry and plum notes, they can be kept longer
                  than other Beaujolais (5 to 10 years) and become better with
                  time.

                  Apart from these red wines, the Beaujolais area also produces
                  a small amount of Beaujolais rosé and Beaujolais blanc, from
                  Chardonnay grapes.

                  The most popular wine is Beaujolais Nouveau. A third of the
                  production is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau, and millions of
                  bottles are being sold worldwide. The wine is shipped a few
                  days earlier, and on the 3rd Thursday of November at 12 AM
                  exactly, it is allowed to be opened and tasted.

                  The story of Beaujolais Nouveau begins in the 19th century,
                  when Beaujolais winegrowers and traders used to sell a very
                  simple wine as early as possible. It is told that Beaujolais
                  finished its fermentation during its transportation to the
                  nearest town, Lyon. The bistros announced its arrival with a
                  notice "Le Beaujolais est arrivé. It is only in the 60s, when
                  its quality improved and its trade became organized, that it
                  became increasingly popular in the whole world.

                  Nowadays, the grapes are harvested in late August or
                  September, and in November, Beaujolais Nouveau (or Beaujolais
                  Primeur) is ready to be drunk. The fermentation is short, and
                  the wine is quickly bottled. It"s an easy, light, fruity wine,
                  with a taste of red berry or banana. It cannot be kept long
                  (one year maximum).

                  The harvests, and the release, sets Beaujolais villages in a
                  party mood: there are banquets, balls, parades, and other
                  merry meetings around food and wine, during many days, before
                  the cold and winter take possession of the countryside.

                  Beaujolais wines classement appellation d'origine contrôlée
                  (AOC)
                  Arbuissonas
                  Beaujeu
                  Beaujolais Superieur
                  Beaujolais Villages
                  Blace
                  Cercie
                  Chanes
                  Charentay
                  Chenas
                  Chiroubles
                  Denice
                  Durette
                  Emeringes
                  Fleurie
                  Julienas
                  Jullie
                  La Chapelle de Guinchay
                  Lancie
                  Lantignie
                  Le Perreon
                  Les Ardillats
                  Leynes
                  Marchampt
                  Montmelas
                  Odenas
                  Pruzilly
                  Quincie
                  Regnie
                  Rivolet
                  Romaneche
                  Saint-Amour Bellevue
                  Saint-Etienne des Oullieres
                  Saint-Etienne la Varenne
                  Saint-Julien
                  Saint-Lager
                  Saint-Symphorien D Ancelles
                  Saint-Verand
                  Salles
                  Vaux
                  Vauxrenard
                  Villie Morgon
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