French wine trader raises summer toast to Americans with Beaujolais

Inter Beaujolais, a wine-trade organization in Beaujolais, France, has invited American consumers to beat the heat this summer with a bottle of Beaujolais wine.

Beaujolais, which has been crafting wines for more than 2,000 years, uses grape varieties such as Chardonnay for Whites and Gamay for Reds. The brand's 2009 vintage is currently on retail shelves across the US.

The Beaujolais region comprises 12 appellations. These appellations are divided into two categories: Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages.

The first category produces ready-to-drink fruity wines, while the second category is the richer, deeper wines classified as Cru.

These Crus range from medium-bodied Saint-Amour, Chiroubles, Regnie, Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, to the more full-bodied Crus of Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon.

The region also produces roses and whites. The region produces only a small production of Beaujolais Blanc and it is available in limited quantities on the US market.

Inter Beaujolais marketing & communications director Anthony Collet said the American consumer has always enjoyed versatile wines and Beaujolais offers great variety.

"Aside from selecting Beaujolais' whites and roses for summer, we highly encourage consumers to enjoy the reds through the season by slightly chilling them to extract the fruity, spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with popular BBQ fare."

The French firm suggested that their wines' best pairings include hot-dogs, bacon cheeseburgers, pulled-pork and more.