Mary Taylor (Marine Descombes) Beaujolais-Villages, France 2021

Beaujolais-Villages is produced in part of the Beaujolais vineyard. It’s the first appellation in France to use the term “villages.” In 38 municipalities of the Rhône and Saône-et-Loire, and 3 geographical zones with marked specificities, these fruity and fleshy wines reflect the characteristics of their terroirs. The vines are often planted at altitude and on hillsides. These delectable red wines mark a kind of transition between Beaujolais, in the south, and the ten crus further north.

Soils: light, acidic, granite and sandy soils, composed of much sand and a little clay.

Climate: temperate with favorable sunshine, but with strong variations due to conflicts between oceanic, continental and Mediterranean influences.

Winemaking: Manual harvest with a strict selection. Partial destemming (40%). Burgundy-style vinification. Vatting: 10 days. Grapes are pressed softly and slowly. Fermentation: 1 month. Aging in tanks: 6 months.

Varietal: 100% Gamay