Beaujolais and Beyond

Two wines from Beaujolais and Beyond

Beaujolais and Beyond is a wine retailer based in Norwich specialising, as the name suggests, mainly in Beaujolais but also in other parts of Burgundy as well as Champagne; they sent me two wines to review.

Like Chablis to the north, southern Burgundy's Beaujolais region is a once over-hyped region that is now ripe for a revival.

Made from the Gamay grape, red Beaujolais does not aspire to the complexity of great Pinot Noir, for sure, but when well-made shows a classic, alluring elegance.

Domaine de la Plaigne, 2011, Régnié (£11.30)

Translucent purple in the glass, there are aromas of red and black cherry.

The palate shows a real purity of cherry and plum fruit and fresh, prominent acidity with real elegance and precision - this is a really lovely wine. Good.

With plenty of acidity, low tannins and pure fruit, it is a highly-versatile food wine that can stand up to stronger sauces - match with autumnal foods such as duck with cherry sauce or venison with red-wine jus.

2011 Chénas Cuvée Tradition (£11.50)

Another textbook Beaujolais cru - purple in the glass with dark berry fruit, the palate shows dark fruit, cinnamon spice. Elegant and precise with good, food-friendly sour-cherry acidity, good finish. Another lovely wine. Good.

Food matches as above.

Other related articles
BoJo-Lé
Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2010‏

Links
Beaujolais and Beyond - website, twitter