It is Wednesday and time again for Wine Trivia Wednesday. After berating the ‘class’ last week for a lack of participation, there was a bit of a flurry of activity for last week’s quiz. Before we get to this week’s quiz, here’s another look at last week’s:
1. Put the five main stages of the vine in chronological annual order:
A. Flowering
B. Veraison
C. Harvest
D. Bud Break
E. Set
The correct order here is D., A., E., B., C.
2. For each of the stages, what of the following causes the most concern for the vineyard manager/winemaker (there can be more than one for each)?
A. Rain (Flowering, Harvest)
B. Frost (Bud break, Flowering, Harvest)
C. Drought (Flowering, Set, Veraison)
D. Excessive wind (Bud break, Flowering)
E. Excessive heat (Bud break [early bud break], Set, Veraison)
F. Poor canopy management (Veraison)
3. Traditionally, in France, what is the time elapsed between the first stage and the last stage (I’m looking for a number of days here)?
I realized after the comments started rolling in that I worded this question incorrectly. All that answered got this more or less right (the way I worded the question). What I wanted to ask: “What is the traditional number of days between flowering and harvest?” By some uncanny coincidence, cupcaketravels came up with this answer! So while they were many ‘winners’ this week: shewinessometimes, vinoinlove, stefano, thefoodandwinehedonist, armchairsommelier, winingdaily, and talk-a-vino, CUPCAKETRAVELS takes home the extra special bonus Gold Star for somehow understanding what I really meant to ask. So congratulations to all–now on to this week’s quiz.
This week, I decided to concentrate on Beaujolais for no particular reason. If you can think of a good reason to focus on the region this week, by all means, let me know.
1. Beaujolais is technically (at least for wine purposes) part of Burgundy. How is it that all of Beaujolais (for the most part) is made from Gamay while most of the other red wine from Burgundy is Pinot Noir? (For this answer to be correct, I am looking for the name of a dead white guy that was influential here).
2. How many ‘Cru’ villages are there in Beaujolais? Name them.
3. Of the ‘Crus’:- Which is the largest?
- Which is the smallest?
- Which is generally considered the most prestigious?
the drunken cyclist 
I thought about not playing since I’m really not an expert on French wine but then I thought I might learn something by looking for the answers 🙂
1. Philippe the Bold outlawed the production of wine from Gamay grapes in Burgundy. Wineries that still wanted to produce wine from Gamay grapes moved to the Beaujolais region.
2. There are 10 Crus in Beaujolais: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié, Saint-Amour
3. Brouilly is the largest Cru. Chénas is the smallest Cru.
I don’t know what the most prestigious Cru from Beaujolais and it depends on who considers a certain wine prestigious. Saint-Amour requieres at least 4 years of aging which could make it the most prestigious. Fleurie on the other hand is the most exported Cru to the United States.
LikeLike
Great answers and thanks for playing!
LikeLike
Fun quiz!! I need to drink more Cru Beaujolais. I broke up with Beaujolais Nouveau, though.
1. The Duke of Burgundy, Philippe the Bold, outlawed Gamay production in Burgundy, calling it a “disloyal plant”. I mean, you don’t earn the name “the Bold” for nothing. All the Gamay growers had to move south to the low(er) rent district, Beaujolais.
2. 10 — Brouilly, Regnie, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Saint Amour, Chenas, Julienas, Morton, and Moulin a Vent.
3. Largest Cru = Brouilly. Smallest Cru = Chenas. Most Prestigious = Moulin a Vent (plus, they have windmills on the label, and windmills are cool!)
Salud! :o)
LikeLike
So, I reckon … 1 Phillip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, issued an edict against growing Gamay in Burgundy. 2: there are ten Beaujolais Crus, namely St-Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Regnié, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly. 3. Brouilly is the largest (1300ha) Chenas is the smallest (280ha) and Moulin-a-Vent (650ha) is considered the best , its wines offering “lip-smacking depth and pungency” (Andrew Jefford, The New France) – cheers!
LikeLike
A new player! Welcome (and great looking answers)!
LikeLike
I also need to drink more good Beaujolais and windmills are cool!
LikeLike
Oh yay, thankyou, and I always knew what you meant 😉
LikeLike
Am I that transparent?
LikeLike