Wines of France, Inc

Wines & Vines, Jan, 2000 by Philip E. Hiaring

Sad to say, many wine regions of the world aren't that picturesque. Not so Beaujolais, and the food and wine are good, too. While Beaujolais Nouveau, released each November, is made to quaff in celebration of the recent vintage, the crus are much more than that. We don't see much of Chiroubles, one such cru, and that's too bad.

The Alain Junguenet Selection, Domaine Cheysson 1997, is imported by Wines of France, Inc., Mountainside, N.J. Cost? Don't know. In any case, this Chiroubles is more of a Pinot noir than a Gamay noir. It weighs in more like a Moulin-a-Vent. This would be just fine with capon, especially cold fried, or sausages, like you have at a Beaujolais machon. One Louis Orizet, said to be a Beaujolais winemaker and poet, described Chiroubles as "a wine that caresses your insides." Whew! I think that tops Hugh Johnson's description of a California wine that walks right up to you and shakes your hand. If a glass of wine does that to me, it's time for Betty Ford. Tasted 11/99.