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Surface area
: 8 943 ha shared between two distinct geographical zones,
the southern part of the vinegrowing area and a continuous band of land
that stretches from Villefranche to the Saône-et-Loire department
at the northern end of the Beaujolais vinegrowing region.
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Production (in
2006) : 448 324 hl, or 59,6 million bottles.
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Yield per hectare
: 50 hl/ha
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Grape variety
: gamay noir à jus blanc
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Couleur
: red
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Pruning type
: Guyot, trained on wires, pruned to 6 to 8 eyes. It is the only Beaujolais
appellation authorised to use this technique. Number of vines per hectare:
from 7000 to 13 000, an average of 10 000.
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Soil type
: in the southern part are chalk-clay soils dating from the Mesozoic
era, (sandstone, white limestone, limestone with gryphite, Pierre Dorée
(golden stone)); further to the north are alluvium deposits from the
Tertiary and Quaternary eras.
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Communes with
the right to the appellation name : mainly three cantons, those
of Villefranche, Anse and Le Bois d'Oingt, in addition to this are the
villages of the cantons of L'Arbresle and Tarare as well as plots on
the edges of communes that produces Beaujolais Villages and Crus. A
total of 72 communes produce Beaujolais
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Number of vinegrowers
: around 2000 estates.
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Vinification
: in whole bunches. This vinification type is specific to the Beaujolais
winemaking area. Length of fermentation on the skins: from 4 to 6 days.
After vatting and the first, alcoholic, fermentation, the grapes are
pressed, the run off and press juices are assembled then the second,
malo-lactic, fermentation, takes place. Its role is to render the wines
supple in removing their acidity.
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Appellation extras
On the tasting side Beaujolais is an inimitable explosion fruity flavours
that have their origin in the poor, stony soils in which the Gamay vine
has made its home. The wines are redolent of the wonderful small red
fruits of the summer. This magical appellation has gained incomparable
fame and has travelled round the globe many times over. The three syllables
that make up its name and are pronounced with varying accents in the
Four Corners of the world from East Asia to North America, are a sure
recipe for a smile. Beaujolais is the wine for sharing and enjoying
together. |
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