In his cellar in Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais (Rhône), the trophies are lined up by the dozen.
“They have been won over by several generations,” almost apologizes David Béroujon, fourth of the name to operate this Beaujolais-Village estate created in 1904 by his great-grandfather.
However, the latest award is enough to make his ancestors pale.
On January 17, its 44th birthday, the red Gamay produced on 10.5 hectares won the title of “Best Gamay in the world”.
“A surprise” for this winemaker whose vintage was distinguished among the 879 gamays produced in France, Switzerland, Italy and England tasted by a super jury of 160 testers.
The beverage will not be bottled until next June.
"But, with the cold, it will improve even more", promises the winner.
The Béroujon wine was awarded for "its exceptionally fleshy and fruity flavors", explains Victor Gomez, boss of Armonia, organizer of the competition.
Beaujolais is approaching the Côtes-Du-Rhône
This “exceptional” vintage took advantage of the weather of the year 2020, with a long and hot summer that ended with welcome rains.
But, to get there, the small winegrower had to overcome a series of obstacles.
Starting with the effects of global warming.
The harvest must have been brought forward to August 25.
“We are now arriving in Beaujolais with wines that are similar to the Côtes-Du-Rhône,” says David Béroujon, “very concentrated wines with a good balance between sugar and acidity.
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The winegrowers between the exaltation of the harvest and the anxiety of overstocks
The winegrower has made sure to leave as many leaves as possible on his vines, in order to ensure natural shade for his bunches.
“And we manage to harvest in the cool, very early in the morning, around 6.30am, to avoid the start of fermentation.
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