Beaujolais, Marriage and More

A friend of mine just took a wine-tasting trip to Beaujolais, France, and we had a great conversation when she returned. I asked if she would be open to turning on the mic and recording the conversation for a podcast, but she declined, which is cool. Having a friend like me who wants to record your simple conversations must be weird. It’s also cool that she agreed to the idea of me writing down the conversation from memory.

Theral: Anna, what a wonderful time to be in Beaujolais! There’s something about drinking Beaujolais in May with the new warming earth but still cool in the shade. It’s such a bright floral and also honest—rather innocent—wine. It’s one of my favorites. I try to always have at least a bottle or two of Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly, and Regnie on hand. Each of these regions offers something for every kind of Spring day.

Anna: How right you are. I’m drinking some Regnie just now. It's earthy, has nice acidity, is full of fruit, and just very friendly.

T: So tell me. How was it? Have you been before?

A: No. It was adorable! Have you been?

T: No!

A: You know that I was first turned on to Beaujolais at that legendary lunch on your deck in the Santa Cruz Mountains some years ago. You introduced me to Beaujolais. So, thank you.

T: I remember.

A: I’ll never forget that bottle, the way it opened up as the afternoon warmed deep in the redwoods. I could cry thinking about it now.

T: Please do. It will enhance the flavors you’re tasting.

A: Haha. It was the perfect wine—purple violet, with enough body but opening up with the promise of June apricots and spice. Was that a Morgon that we had that day? I also clearly remember our conversation.

T: I love that you remember that day for the wine we had. Wine can truly make the occasion, just as good conversation does. My memory says it was a Morgon, yes. I was super into Morgon and Regnie then and thought I’d go with the more friendly Morgon for a guest meal. So how was the trip? Where did you go?

A: We went to Morgon and Regnie, both, and several of the other Crus: Fleurie, and... what else? . . . Brouilly.

T: I adore Cote de Brouilly! So, what do you mean by the Crus?

A: Do you know how the Beaujolais region is classified?

T: No, not really. I just know what I like.

A: OK, so most of Beaujolais is just your basic Beaujolais. It could come from any of the 100 or so villages that dot the landscape, most of it from the southern Beaujolais region. And most of that ends up in the traditional Nouvaue Beaujolais.