Beaujolais Nouveau is the most famous ambassador of the Beaujolais region. But it is simply one of an entire range.

Brouilly Chénas Chiroubles Côte de brouilly Fleurie Juliénas Morgon Moulin à Vent Régnié Saint amour Beaujolais Villages Beaujolais Beaujolais Nouveaux et Beaujolais-Villages Nouveaux

Brouilly Area: 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) - Soil type: granite and alluvial sand. Located at the foot of Mount Brouilly, this is the largest and highest yielding of the Beaujolais Crus with 1,200 hectares (3,000 acres) under wine. The wines are a deep ruby in colour while the bouquet reveals soft fruits, plums and peaches. At the heart of the appellation, the wines are deeper coloured, tighter knit and most robust. Serve at cellar temperature (12°C, 50°F) with game and red meats.

Chénas Area: 260 hectares (650 acres) - Soil type: granite sand. This is the rarest of the Beaujolais Crus and it enjoys an enviable location next door to the famous Moulin-à-Vent. The wine is ruby coloured with hints of garnet, well structured with a floral, woody bouquet. This is a heady wine for laying down, supple yet powerful and one, which - for the time being at least - remains, less well-known than its prestigious neighbour. Serve at just below room temperature (14°C , 54°F) with rich dishes and mature cheeses.

Chiroubles Area: 350 hectares (850 acres) - Soil type: granite and porphyry. At 400 metres, Chiroubles is the highest in altitude of the Beaujolais Crus and nestles in a granite amphitheatre. Delicious, supple and elegant, it is a striking red colour while the nose combines scents of peonies, lily of the valley and violets. Brimming with fruit and flowers, it is one of the most individual wines of Beaujolais. Serve cold but not chilled (12°C, 50°F) with cold meats, sliced sausage, chicken, white meats and hors d'œuvre.

Côte de brouilly Area: 290 hectares (700 acres) - Soil type: andean granite (blue stone). The vineyards of Côte de Brouilly range over the steep, well-exposed slopes of Mount Brouilly whose deep volcanic soils are a combination of granite and schist. It is a fine wine, violet-coloured with a bouquet redolent of irises and fresh grapes. Côte de Brouilly needs a little time in bottle to develop its elegant and distinctive style. Serve at cellar temperature (13°C, 52°F) with cold meats, sliced sausage and chicken casseroles.

Fleurie Area: 800 hectares (2,000 acres) - Soil type: granite sand. Product of an entirely granit soil, Fleurie seduces with its velvet smoothness, its elegance and its aroma of flowers and fruits: irises, violets, rose petals, peaches, blackcurrants and red berries. Carmine coloured, it is often said to be the most feminine of the Beaujolais Crus which, according to local tradition, is due to the influence of the Virgin of Fleurie who watches over the wines from her hilltop seat... Serve at cellar temperature (13°C, 52°F) with leg of lamb, chicken or white meats.

Juliénas Area: 580 hectares (1,450 acres) - Soil type: schist, granite and clay. This is a wine which can be drunk young of after a few years in bottle, Juliénas has a consistent ruby colour and a pronounced sinewy character. The wine is grown on clay which gives it a heady bouquet of peaches, cherries and strawberries. This unusual characteristic of the Juliénas soil makes it a quality wine which excels in the best vintages. Serve at cellar temperature (13°C, 52°F) with coq au vin, game or chicken casseroles.

Morgon Area: 1,100 hectares (2,700 acres) - Soil type: schist and broken granite. Morgon is produced from a unique terrain consisting of rotten stone and crumbling schist. It is fleshy and is appealing with its fullness on the palate. With its deep garnet hue and its bouquet or ripe cherries, peaches, apricots and plums, it is a wine which deserves to be aged for a few years before it reaches maturity. Serve at cellar temperature (13°C, 52°F) with meats in sauces and with game.

Moulin à Vent Area: 650 hectares (1,600 acres) - Soil type: granite rich in manganese. The prince of Beaujolais derives its name from an ancient windmill built on the hill of Romanèche-Thorins. Its exeptional quality is attributed to the granite subsoil of the area which is rich in manganese. With its deep ruby colour, its bouquets of irises, rose petals, spices and ripe fruits, it possesses a ledgendary ageing potential which has contributed to its reputation as one of the best red wines of France. Serve at just below room temperature (14°C, 54°F) with red meats, game and strong cheeses.

Régnié Area: 650 hectares (1,600 acres) - Soil type: sandy granite. Régnié is the most recent of the Beaujolais wines to be assigned the prestigious cru status, joining the other nine in 1988. This village appellation which surrounds the doubles steeples of Régnié-Durette church makes a supple well-constructed wine, cherry-coloured with purple lights, redolent of red currants, blackberries and raspberries. Serve cold (12°C, 50°F) with patés, terrines and hot hors d'œuvre.

Saint Amour Area: 280 hectares (680 acres) - Soil type: sand and clay. This delightfully named cru is the northernmost outpost of Beaujolais, in the "Saône-et-Loire" region. It is lively, refined and well-balanced, ruby coloured with a bouquet of cherries and spices. It is generally ready to drink within the year, but keeps well for two or three. Serve at cellar temperature (13°C, 52°F) with simple home cooked meals.

Beaujolais Villages Area: 5,850 hectares (14,350 acres) - Soil type: crystalline. 39 villages produce wine classified as Beaujolais Villages. These attractive, cherry-coloured wines with their bouquets of strawberries and blackcurrants are smooth and well-balanced. They adapt well to suit a wide variety of dishes. Serve chilled (11°-12°C, 48°-50°F) with poultry and cold meat.

Beaujolais Area: 9,700 hectares (24,200 acres) - Soil type: calcareous clay. This appellation is the standart-bearer of the Beaujolais region. The wines are authentic, convivial and made for sharing. They are wines for drinking all year round, ideally young when their deliciously intense aromas and fruity floral bouquets are at their peak. Serve them chilled (11°C, 48°F) at table, with hors d'œuvre, or indeed at any time simply for pleasure.

Beaujolais & Beaujolais-Villages Nouveaux These wines need no introduction. Each year, the third Thursday in November is awaited the world over the first taste of Beaujolais Nouveau. Two thirds of Nouveau comes from vineyards in the Beaujolais appellation, the remaining third from the Beaujolais Villages area. Admire the bright cherry red robe of Nouveau, and enjoy the characteristic floral bouquet an fruity flavours. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau chilled (10°C, 46°F) anytime, anywhere.

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