The Crus of Beaujolais - Charity wine tasting

Beaujolais is one of the great wine regions of France. Like Burgundy (Bourgogne) to the North, with which it is often associated, Beaujolais offers really complex geography where the style of wine can very enormously from one hillside to the next, and even between different vineyards in the same village! The styles of wine-making are very similar to Burgundy, but red Beaujolais is made from the Gamay grape which grows superbly on the sun-drenched hills of the region. It generally gives a lighter style of red wine with excellent fruit and less tannin than other red wines: it's the perfect choice for those who like refreshing elegant reds that are not too heavy. The top wines of the region, from the 10 individual villages with their own appellations (Fleurie, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, etc - known as the Crus de Beaujolais) show amazing complexity; often spending some time in oak with potential for extensive ageing. But Beaujolais also produces some delicious white wines (from the Chardonnay grape, as in Burgundy) and a little rosé. In this tasting - for which the map will be vital - we will taste a Beaujolais Blanc, a Beaujolais Rosé, a Beaujolais Villages and then individual wines from five different Beaujolais Crus including examples from some of the very top producers focusing on individual vineyards. The evening will end with a light supper of bread and specially selected French cheeses - and there will be chance to retaste the wines with the food.