La Reine de l'Arenite
Pretty, floral, elegant and aromatic. Spot on Fleurie!
Beaujolaus
France
Food Match
In winter, match with a roast leg of lamb. During the summer, chill lightly and serve with roasted or
barbecued chicken or pork.
Tasting Notes
Very pretty indeed, a heady perfume of freshly picked irises and peonies drifts above the crushed berry fruit nose. Ripe tannins and fresh acidity support a palate of Morello cherries, strawberries with wonderful savory finish.
Production
La Reine de l'Arenite, meaning 'Queen of the Arenite' refers to the terroir of pinky, crumbly sandstone of the La Madone vineyards, rated as one of the best vineyards in Fleurie. At up to 450m altitude and with soils still untouched by phylloxera, goblet trained vines on the east and south east facing vineyards lie below the Chapel of the Madonna at the to of the hill. Gamay Noir vines range from 40 to 90 years of
age. Grapes are hand-picked and whole-berry fermented for 8-10 days (traditional maceration
arbonique) followed by a further 2 or 3 days on the skins to assist with aromas. No use of cultured yeasts. Pressed after an 8-10 day cuvaison. First press wine was returned to vat and left for 8 months before bottling.