The Wine

Fleurie Vieilles Vignes

Fleurie is one of the 10 Beaujolais 'Crus', and surely the appellation with the prettiest name in France. Beaujolais is made by a process known as semi-carbonic maceration, whereby the bunches of grapes are tipped whole into large fermentation vats. The bottom layer of grapes is crushed by the weight of those above, and then begins to ferment normally, thus giving off carbon dioxide which envelops the grapes above and causes them to undergo intracellular fermentation. This produces the familiar aromas of pear drops and bananas, often associated with very young Beaujolais wines.

The grapes for our exclusive Fleurie Vieilles Vignes are all harvested by hand from a small parcel of 85-year old vines called Les Raelets. After fermentation the wine is kept in the vats for 6 to 12 months, after which its true individuality and sweet juicy smoothness take a further 3 to 6 months to develop in bottle - though it will go on improving and developing for many years. The typical fruit-and-flowers aroma and taste are dominant in the first two or three years, then the wine develops an altogether more complex bouquet sometimes reminiscent of the Pinot Noir grape, and the fruit flavours are enhanced by more earthy and gamey tastes. At 6 or 7 years old the wine will have a deep, rich, complex aroma and a long, balanced, soft and smooth flavour with a velvet-like texture that lingers in the mouth long after the glass has been put down.

Fleurie is not only an ideal summer red - fruity and refreshing - but because it is naturally low in tannin it goes very well with roast beef and can be delicious with fish.