S1 Ep6 Beaujolais Cru & Pol Roger 1914

Series 1 Episode 6 Wine Notes
Beaujolais Cru
Beaujolais is a wine generally made of the Gamay grape which has a thin skin and is low in tannins. The region of Beaujolais was first cultivated by the Romans who planted the areas along its trading route up the Saône valley.
Brouilly – The largest Cru in Beaujolais, situated around Mont Brouilly. The wines are noted for their aromas of blueberries, cherries, raspberries and currants.
Régnié – The most recently recognised Cru. It is noted for its redcurrant and raspberry flavours.
Chiroubles – This cru has vineyards at some of the highest altitudes among the Cru Beaujolais. Chiroubles cru are noted for their delicate perfume that often includes aromas of violets.
Côte de Brouilly – Located on the higher slopes of the extinct volcano Mont Brouilly. The wines from this region are more deeply concentrated with less earthiness than Brouilly wine.
Fleurie – One of the most widely exported Cru Beaujolais. These wines often have a velvet texture with fruity and floral bouquet. In ideal vintages, a vin de garde (wine for aging) is produced that is meant to age at least four years before consuming and can last up to 16 years.
Saint-Amour – The wines from Saint-Amour are noted for their spicy flavors with aromas of peaches.
The vin de garde wines require at least four year aging and can last up to twelve years.
Chénas – It is now the smallest Cru Beaujolais with wines that are noted for their aroma of wild roses. A vin de garde is produced that is meant to age at least five years before consuming and last up to 15.
Juliénas-This cru is based around the village named after Julius Caesar. The wines made from this area are noted for their richness and spice with aromas reminiscent of peonies.
Morgon – Produces earthy wines that can take on a Burgundian character of silky texture after five years aging. These wines are generally the deepest color and most rich Cru Beaujolais with aromas of apricots and peaches.
Moulin-à- Vent – Wines are very similar to the nearby Chénas Cru Beaujolais. This region produces some of the longest-lasting examples of Beaujolais wine, with some wines lasting up to ten years. The resulting wine from Moulin-à- Vent are the most full bodied and powerful examples in Beaujolais. The vin de garde styles require at least 6 years aging and can last up to 20 years.
Tanners Wine – https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/#sqr:(q%5Bbeau%5D,f135130%5BGamay%5D
6. Wine Rack of the Gods – Pol Roger 1914
Pol Roger made his first sale of wine in January 1849.
Regarded as one of the finest vintages of the 20th century, the grape harvest in 1914 very nearly didn’t take place, with German soldiers having engulfed Épernay at the start of the war.
With all able-bodied men called up to fight, the harvest was carried out by women, children and men who were too old or unwell to fight.
A bottle of 1914 Pol Roger Champagne harvested to the sound of gunfire sold for £5,640 at Bonhams auction house in 2014.