Burgundy - Climate and Soils

Beaujolais has a continental climate, slightly warmer than the rest of Burgundy. There is normally adequate rainfall for grape growing (740 mm per year).

The Saone River acts as a moderator of extreme temperatures. The region is subject to cold Mistral winds that can affect flowering in cold, damp early summer weather. It can also damage leaves and grapes towards the end of the ripening period when Gamay’s naturally thin skins are at their most vulnerable. Vine orientation and training low to the ground are very important to reduce these effects. 

The northern part of the region (where both Beaujolais Cru AOCs and Beaujolais-Villages AOC are found) is hilly (200–500 m) and has fast-draining granite, schist and sandy soils. Here the vineyards are situated on south and south-east facing slopes, for maximum exposure to the sun. As a result, the harvest is earlier than for Beaujolais AOC wines that typically come from the flatter southern part of the region where the soils are richer.