Chill out with a perfect red

EST KNOWN for Beaujolais Nouveau, the red wine released on the third Thursday of November after just two months’ ageing and marked in France with fireworks, music and festivals, there is far more to the region than its early arrival. For such a compact area – just 34 miles long by up to nine miles wide – Beaujolais produces a vast range of wines from the simple through to BeaujolaisVillages (an appellation of red, white and rosés from 38 villages) up to complex and age-worthy Cru Beaujolais.

To the east of France, between the Rhône and Burgundy regions with a continental climate that is influenced by the Mediterranean, the picturesque region is ideal for walking or cycling.The northern half boasts rolling hills with granitebased soils whereas the southern half is flatter with richer sandstone and clay-based soils.

The diversity of the landscape and soils is reflected in the diversity of its wines. Beaujolais is home to the gamay noir grape, mostly shortened to gamay, which typically produces a light to medium-bodied red wine with delicate floral aromas, earthy scents and red fruit flavours. It’s similar to pinot noir but essentially easy drinking with a lower price tag, and often benefits from being served slightly chilled.

It produces more structured, complex wines in the north and lighter, fruity wines in the south.With its light body, low tannins and high acidity, typical wines pair well with white and red meats and meatier fish, like salmon. Fuller wines are good matches with lamb, beef and cheese.

Beaujolais Nouveau is great fun, but for some more mature, better value for money wines, enjoy my selection.