2021 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly Beaujolais (half-bottle)

Responsibly Farmed
Hidden Gem
Classic in Style

Known as the “Elegant Wine on the Hill,” this Beaujolais has bright fruit and delicate minerality from the volcanic slopes of Mount Brouilly where this wine hails.

Certified organic farming practices, hand-harvested and partial whole-cluster fermentation.

Red
  • Tasting Notes wild berry, red plum, cassis, cranberry, violet, baking spice, crunchy minerality
  • Variety Gamay
  • Region France, Burgundy
  • Volume 750ml
  • Alcohol Volume 13.5%
  • Table Talk Mount Brouilly is named after Brulius, a famous Roman lieutenant stationed in the area some 2000 years ago.

$25.00

Out of stock

Thivin is an institution in the Côte de Brouilly appellation: the splendid château dates back to 1383 and on June 8, 1877, Zaccharie and Marguerite Geoffray bought Château Thivin and its two hectares of vineyards surrounding the estate (Le Clos). Each succeeding generation has contributed new plots of land to build up the estate. Today, Claude Vincent (5th generation) and this family run this small family business, work the estates vineyards, and vinify each wine, respecting the terroir of its origin as the seasons change. Château Thivin is very well-respected and known for producing high quality wines from this fabled cru. Arguably even more legendary is the cuisine of Evelyne Geoffray, who tackles the crucial task of feeding hungry harvesters every September. Her cooking embraces the best of the French culinary tradition and puts forth the Beaujolais’ richness of fine local produce. Loaded with wild fruit, spice, and crunchy minerality, Thivin’s Côte de Brouilly marries to perfection with Evelyne’s generous, soulful cuisine.

The Geoffrays spend a lot of time and energy working on the biodiversity of their vineyards. Like every living thing, vines need a complex environment and biodiversity that can naturally regulate the attacks from pests. Since growing vines is basically a monoculture, it’s all the more important to balance this ecosystem by increasing the floristic diversity in the vineyard. A multitude of wild plants, flowers, and herbs grow in their vineyards, providing shelter and food for a host of insects, birds, and small game. Bees and birds find their food and build homes in their vineyards and hares, deer, pheasants, and partridges are regular visitors.

GAMAY
The main variety planted, almost exclusively, in Beaujolais, France. Fruity, floral and uncomplicated this light-bodied red is a sure pleaser for the masses. Notably higher acid, low tannin, and aromatic, Gamay is a good pair with just about any manner or style of dishes. Drinkable young, affordable, and delicious, what’s not to like?

BEAUJOLAIS, BURGUNDY, FRANCE
Beaujolais is a small region in France located just south of Burgundy. The region is well-known around the world for specializing in the red grape, Gamay. Although, red, rosé, and white wines can be made here. Beaujolais has an ideal climate for the early budding and ripening Gamay, but producers have to be mindful of keeping their yields limited. As most regions in France, Beaujolais has their own hierarchy of appellations within the region. From the bottom to the top if hierarchy for labeling purposes is regional Beaujolais (bottom), Beaujolais Villages, then Beaujolais crus (top). Four of the greatest cru regions within Beaujolais that you’ll find readily available are Brouilly, Morgon, Fleurie, and Moulin-à-Vent. The lovely Gamay grape is generally fruity with fragrant aromas of raspberry and red cherry and has a lighter body style. It is usually best to consume this easy-drinking wine at a young age; we’d even suggest trying it at a slightly chilled temperature! There is even a separate particular style with its own name, Beaujolais Nouveau, that is specifically made for early drinking. Interesting fact: Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be released to consumers until the third Thursday in November after the vintage (year), and cannot be sold after the following 31st of August. If you love a light, porch-pounding red wine, make sure you get your hands on one of these!