Beaujolais

Does Beaujolais deserve the lowly reputation that has befallen it in recent years? Some would say it does. It has, after all, been responsible for the Beaujolais Nouveau phenomenon and the vast amounts of high yielding, insipid, wishy-washy wines which have emanated from the region.

However, the best producers, including those which we represent, are some of the finest and most dedicated in France. Whereas a top Bordeaux or Burgundy property would have a maximum planting density of 10,000 vines per hectare - which is extremely high in world terms - the finest Beaujolais producers often have up to 13,000 vines per hectare - and all trained in the back-breaking goblet method. No producers work harder and for comparatively less reward.

The best wines - including those from the truly great 2009 and the highly promising 2010 vintages are sweet, succulent, gently concentrated, fresh, pure, minerally and gustative. In an era where deepness, darkness, extraction and concentration have been prized in red wines - and which, thankfully, seems to be abating - the finest wines of Beaujolais are a refreshing antidote.

We are glad to add to our selection a recent purchase of Vincent Girardin: the magnificent Domaine La Tour du Bief in Moulin à Vent. Vincent Girardin has been working with the previous proprietaire, the Comte de Sparre, and their first vintage together was 2009.

• Saint Amour Domaine des Pins J F Echallier
• Juliénas Domaine Gérard Descombes
• Moulin à Vent Domaine Jacky Janodet
• Moulin à Vent, Domaine La Tour du Bief
• Chenas, Moulin à Vent Domaine des Vieilles Caves
• Beaujolais-Villages, Fleurie Domaine André Colonge
• Fleurie Domaine de la Grand'Cour
• Fleurie Domaine de la Madone
• Morgon Domaine de la Chaponne
• Côte de Brouilly Domaine Voûte des Crozes
• Brouilly Château des Tours

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