Wines Côte-de-Brouilly Maison Parot Frères - hommage à fernand - 2022

Maison Parot Frères’ 2022 Côte-de-Brouilly “Cuvée hommage à Fernand” is a fine example of Beaujolais’ elegance and expressive fruit. Crafted exclusively from the Gamay grape, this red wine speaks to the unique qualities of its appellation. Côte-de-Brouilly, one of the ten Beaujolais crus, sits on the slopes of the extinct volcano Mont Brouilly, where blue granite soils impart structure and mineral nuance to the wines. Maison Parot Frères is renowned for their respectful approach to vinification, favouring gentle extraction and employing traditional semi-carbonic maceration to allow the vibrant fruitiness of Gamay to shine. The 2022 vintage in Beaujolais was marked by warm conditions, leading to wines with ripe, generous red and black fruit flavours, balanced by lively acidity and a supple tannic frame.

The Beaujolais region, nestled south of Burgundy proper, enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and cool nights, ideal for slow ripening and the development of expressive aromatics. The volcanic and granite-based soils of Côte-de-Brouilly are distinct from the deeper, sandier soils found elsewhere in the region, lending a particular finesse and subtle mineral touch to its wines. Beaujolais has a long history dedicated to the cultivation of Gamay, a grape that flourishes here like nowhere else, resulting in wines that are both immediately appealing and capable of refinement with a few years of bottle age.

This wine’s lively berry-fruit profile and refreshing acidity make it a versatile partner at the table. It pairs beautifully with classic regional dishes such as roast pork with prunes, Lyonnaise sausage, or a simple terrine of country pâté. Its freshness also complements poultry dishes, roasted game birds, and even slightly spicy Asian cuisine, while a slight chill unveils subtle floral and mineral notes.

To fully enjoy the Maison Parot Frères Côte-de-Brouilly, serve it at 14-16°C. Decanting for thirty minutes can help reveal its aromatic complexity. This vibrant yet elegant wine will offer pleasure now and over the next three to five years.