Jean Foillard Fleurie Cru Beaujolais 2022

Jean Foillard is a revered winemaker based in the Morgon appellation of Beaujolais, France. A key figure in the natural wine movement, Foillard is celebrated for his dedication to minimal-intervention winemaking and ability to craft expressive, terroir-driven wines. Along with other pioneering winemakers like Marcel Lapierre, Jean-Paul Thévenet, and Guy Breton, Foillard is part of the "Gang of Four," a group that sought to revive traditional Beaujolais winemaking practices, rejecting industrial methods in favor of organic farming and natural fermentation processes.

Foillard's vineyards, predominantly located in Morgon and Fleurie, are farmed without synthetic chemicals, emphasizing the health of the soil and vines. He employs whole-cluster fermentation and carbonic maceration, a hallmark of Beaujolais winemaking. His wines are known for their purity, often produced with little to no added sulfites, and they exhibit a remarkable balance between ripe fruit, minerality, and earthy undertones.

Among Foillard's most acclaimed wines are his Morgon "Côte du Py," made from old vines grown on the volcanic soils of one of Beaujolais' top crus, and his Fleurie bottlings, which showcase the finesse and elegance of the Gamay grape. These wines are praised for their longevity and are highly sought after by natural wine enthusiasts for their authenticity and complexity.

The Beaujolais wine region, located in the eastern part of France, is an integral part of the Burgundy wine area but maintains a distinct identity due to its unique wine production methods and grape varieties. It stretches from the southern tip of Burgundy to the northern parts of Lyon, encompassing about 55 kilometers from north to south and 25 kilometers from east to west.

Beaujolais is primarily known for its use of the Gamay grape, which is relatively easy to cultivate and ripens early. The region's soils are diverse, with granite predominating in the northern areas and sedimentary rock in the south. This geological variance significantly influences the flavor profile and structure of the wines produced here.

The region is famous for Beaujolais Nouveau, a young wine released annually on the third Thursday of November. This tradition celebrates the end of the harvest. It involves the wine made with carbonic maceration, emphasizing fresh, fruity flavors without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

Apart from Beaujolais Nouveau, the region also produces more structured and complex wines, particularly from the ten Crus of Beaujolais, named areas recognized for higher quality. These crus include Brouilly, Morgon, and Moulin-à-Vent, among others. Wines from these areas are capable of aging and evolving complexity over several years.

Beaujolais wine production is divided into three classifications: Beaujolais AOC, for wines typically light and fruity, suitable for immediate consumption; Beaujolais-Villages AOC, coming from 38 designated municipalities and offering slightly higher complexity; and the aforementioned Cru Beaujolais, from the ten specific areas known for their distinctive and more robust wines.

The Beaujolais region produces approximately 70 million liters annually, accounting for nearly half of all Gamay-based wines globally. Wine growing and production here rely heavily on traditional knowledge and practices, with many growers adhering to natural wine production methods. These practices emphasize minimal intervention in the vineyard and winery to preserve the natural expression of the grape and terroir.

Beaujolais wines are celebrated for their versatility in pairing with a wide range of foods, from light salads to hearty meat dishes. This makes them a favorite among various dining contexts, from casual to refined. The region's commitment to quality and tradition, along with its innovative approach to winemaking, continues to attract interest from wine enthusiasts worldwide.