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No wine region is more exciting right now than Beaujolais. The appellations of Morgon, Chiroubles and Chenas may not be as well-known as Gevrey-Chambertin or Margaux, but in recent years the Crus of Beaujolais have become far more popular.
It helps that Beaujolais is such a dynamic region. The diversity of terroir, which doesn't just permit different expressions of Gamay but also requires different methods and approaches to making it, in conjunction with relatively low-cost vineyard land, has led to a number of new high quality producers making fabulous wines.
Another factor that can't be overlooked is real estate. It's hard to justify experimentation in regions where the land is so expensive, and while only billionaires and insurance companies can afford to buy top terroir in Burgundy, many mere mortals have been able to find a foothold among Beaujolais's vines over the last decades.
Beaujolais, like many French regions, ranks its vineyard sites. Ordinary vineyards can produce simple "Beaujolais," while vineyards in higher-ranked villages can label their wines "Beaujolais-Villages." Those wines tend to offer more than the basic Beaujolais: more complex flavors and more structure. Best of all, the vineyards in the ten Beaujolais Crus can label their wines with the Cru name only (so, "Morgon," rather than "Beaujolais"). These wines represent the best of the Beaujolais: serious, delicious, and often age-worthy wines.
The ten Crus, from north to south are: St-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-á-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Cote de Brouilly. Each one has its own personality, and its own charms.
Here at The Establishment we feature some of the many great wines from the region. Our cuisine lends itself to be enjoyed with many styles of wine, but Cru Beuajolais is something that can be paired with almost all of our dishes. Please come in and enjoy! We look forward to seeing you.