The 2009 Vintage in Beaujolais: History in the Making

 Near perfect conditions in Beaujolais to produce an extraordinary 2009 vintage

NEW YORK, Oct. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Thanks to a hot year with some rain in June
and very little in July and August, healthy vines were able to produce grapes
of impeccable quality and optimum ripeness in Beaujolais. This combination of
deliciously sweet, small, thick-skinned berries -- displaying a perfect
balance of sugar and acidity -- and extremely low yields, has winemakers and
producers anticipating that 2009 will be one of the greatest vintages
Beaujolais has ever known.

The harvest, which began on August 27th as more than 50,000 grape pickers
descended upon the region, lasted throughout the month of September, with
picking in the latest ripening areas finishing around the 25th. The first
signs of the great potential for this vintage came from the deeply
concentrated color of the first juice press. According to Jean-Luc Berger,
technical manager of Inter Beaujolais and the French Vine and Wine Institute,
"With the exception of 2005, we haven't seen such rich color since the 1976
vintage."

The fermentation process has already begun in the cellar, where classic
raspberry and blackcurrant aromas of Beaujolais' principal grape variety,
Gamay, are showing remarkable aromatic complexity with rich and seductive
flavors of small red fruits at the forefront as well as vine peach and violet.

With tannins high in both quality and number (levels are comparable to 2005)
the structure, length, and finish of the wines are expected to be outstanding.
Producers are anticipating fleshy, powerful, cellar-worthy wines, displaying
richness, fruitiness and freshness. Jean-Luc Longere, a winemaker in Le
Perreon said, "2009 is set to be as elegant and refined as it is powerful.
This year, we have to allow the grape to express itself."

The 2009 vintage in Beaujolais is showing signs of being a historic one that will undoubtedly be celebrated by producers and wine lovers alike for years to
come. Dominique Capart, winemaker and President of Inter Beaujolais said,
"This vintage will only get better with age. Fifteen years from now you will
still be able to enjoy the pleasure and magnificence of 2009."

About Inter Beaujolais
Inter Beaujolais is the official wine-trade organization of the region. Its
primary mission is to promote Beaujolais wines in France and in key export
markets by raising awareness of the region. In addition, Inter Beaujolais is
responsible for three other major activities: research and development -- they
boast the largest research facility in France, economic studies to best
position their offer, and lastly, the protection and the defense of Beaujolais
AOC. For more information, please log on to the newly launched:
www.beaujolais.com.

SOURCE  Inter Beaujolais

JoLynn Howe, Public Relations Senior Account Executive, Sopexa USA,
+1-212-386-7416, jolynn.howe@sopexa.com; or Melina Condy, Press Relations,
Inter Beaujolais, +33 (0)4-74-02-22-16, mcondy@beaujolais.com