Beaujolais Rosé wines
Although recognised as an AOC by the INAO since 1937, Beaujolais rosés have only become increasingly famous in recent years. The Beaujolais winegrowers are striving to make the most of their know-how on the topic to impress wine lovers in search of new discoveries.
Wines in step with the times
Produced in the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages appellations – the two largest in the region – Beaujolais rosés have aroused special interest lately since the volume of bottles sold has increased by 35% in just 4 years.
Beaujolais rosés are produced in the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages AOCs by nearly 450 of the region’s 3000 estates. Close to 2 million bottles are produced a year.
They are made from the gamay noir à jus blanc grape variety, like all the red wines in the 12 Beaujolais AOCs. However, unlike their cousins, the bunches intended for making rosés are pressed immediately. Before pressing, the grapes are sometimes first macerated briefly for a few hours. The alcoholic fermentation process allows a wide range of aromas to develop. Winemakers then have two options to choose from: whether or not to conduct malolactic fermentation. The choice is made based on the profile sought, the balance of the vintage and the final blend. The skin of the gamay noir grape is the source of the light, see-through colour of the wine that is so original.
Refreshing, thirst-quenching wines
In the glass, Beaujolais rosés have a colour somewhere between pomelo and peach. On the nose, notes of tangy red fruit and citrus, a guarantee of lovely freshness. On the palate, it’s a pleasure wine with thirst-quenching virtues.
As for Beaujolais Villages rosés, they are translucent and shiny pale pink in colour, with a refreshing nose and a very fragrant, fruity taste.
Perfect for summertime, they’ll liven up your summer lunches, barbecues and aperitifs with friends. Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages rosés develop perfectly between 8°C and 11°C.
The newcomer among primeur wines
Want to create atmosphere? Beaujolais Nouveaux and Beaujolais Villages Nouveaux rosés can play a role, too, but in November, like their red cousins. First created and sold in Japan (a major fan of Beaujolais Nouveau) in 2006, they showed up on French shelves in 2007.
