Beaujolais is located north of Lyon, and covers parts of the north of the Rhône département of the Rhône-Alpes region and southern areas of the Saône-et-Loire département of Burgundy.

While administratively considered part of the Burgundy wine region, the climate is closer to the Rhône and the wine is sufficiently individual in character, and varietals, to be considered separately from both Burgundy/Macon and Rhône.

Beaujolais is the home of light red wines made exclusively from the Gamay grape that typifies easy drinking, low tannin wines. The region is known internationally for its long tradition of winemaking, for the use of carbonic maceration, and more recently for the popular (now less so) Beaujolais Nouveau.

Whilst AC Beaujolais and Beaujolais Village are the easy drinking staples, it is with the 10 Cru wines – from north to south: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Côte de Brouilly and Brouilly – that real interest lies.

Of these Fleurie has more fruit and substance while remaining light and silky in the mouth. While it may not have the power of the well-known crus of Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon, its charming, floral elegance makes just as much of a lasting impression.