FRANCE: Beaujolais
2019 GOLD: 2 SILVER: 3 BRONZE: 2 COMMENDED: 5
2018 GOLD: 0 SILVER: 3 BRONZE: 3 COMMENDED: 4
One or two grumbles, but overall there was plenty of warmth for the category from our tasters – particularly for the more ambitious cru wines. With their villages variation, they were seen as a popular and useful addition to the wine list, though sadly, not an especially cheap one. The days of the sub-£10 cru Beaujolais have largely gone the way of the dodo.
The AC Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages were better priced (if still not exactly cheap), and the kick-out rate was significantly higher, suggesting that you need to choose with care. Fortunately, we’ve already done it for you. Stick to the medal winners here and you won’t go wrong.
FROM THE TASTING TEAMS
‘This is an important category to list. I particularly like those with an earthy, rich style. It works really nicely with stews, and lots of types of food I serve.’ Jim Bass, Scarlet Hotel
‘These delivered what I expected. Different crus bring different characteristics. You make the wine list to go with the food, so it’s useful that they all delivered different styles.’ Laurent Richet MS, team leader
‘I think these were showing better than last year, and were more stylistically typical.’ Michael Fiducia, The Royal Automobile Club
‘I was expecting great things from these, but they were either very simple or trying to be what they weren’t, and overcomplicating themselves. They should be on gastropub lists, where they would be served with the type of food they suit best – good cooking served with a nice wine that’s not too pretentious.’ Angela Reddin, team leader
‘Beaujolais is definitely an important one for a wine list, and I’d want to have a couple of different appellations. I really liked the gamey and meaty flavours here.’ Pasquale Moschettieri, Benares Restaurant & Bar
‘I tend to prefer bigger Beaujolais, especially for the cuisine where I work, which is modern British, with heavy dishes.’ Giorgio Scarsella, The Stafford