October 20, 2011
This 2009 Beaujolais Cru is the perfect wine choice for Southern California’s Indian summers, when it’s hot but you’re still in the mood for red wine. It’s a lighter bodied red and that lightness makes it a great fit for warmer days when you’re wishing you could wear your new fall threads.
Beaujolais may be part of the greater Burgundy region in east central France but it’s definitely not what we would call a red Burgundy, which is a product of the pinot noir grape. Beaujolais wines are made almost exclusively with Gamay Noir grapes. Also, don’t be misled by the popular Beaujolais Nouveau, which is a fun-loving, heavily-marketed, nothing-exceptional wine (think of it as the frat-boy of the Beaujolais world). But you won’t go astray if you step up and try a Beaujolais cru, which is a richer, more complex wine. The crus are truly wonderful wines from the storied Beaujolais-Villages appellation.
Beaujolais wines are versatile and go great with roast chicken, turkey or even hearty vegetable soups. Plus you can find them at reasonable prices, making them a perfect fit for fall gatherings. Here’s one we currently love—Jean-Paul Brun, Moulin à Vent “Terres Dorées” 2009, which retails for around $25 a bottle.
