Competitions and medals

Wines are the subject of competitions that punctuate wine professionals' calendar and give reference points to the consumer. The latter can also make his choice by choosing a bottle bearing an official prize sticker. Beaujolais is no exception to this rule:

• in January, in Villefranche-sur-Saône, the Concours des Grands Vins du Beaujolais brings to-gether professionals from the vineyard - producers, broker négociants, œnologists, courtiers etc. - around their 12 appellations and the latest vintage, of which over 1 000 cuvées are tasted blind, noted. Medals are awarded to those that are judged to be the most successful;
• Inter Beaujolais has decided to promote the grape variety that is emblematic of its region in January too, by organising the International du Gamay competition.
• a few weeks later, Saint-Vincent in Mâcon also welcomes many wines from its neighbouring vineyard, for all its appellations;
• the Concours général agricole as part of the Paris International Agricultural Show, is also well-known, follows on at the end of February;
• after the Beaujolais Crus have "done their Easter duty" and are ready for broaching, they go in to the ring in Chiroubles, at the end of April/beginning of May, at the "Victor Pulliat" competition, that is certified by the Union des Œnologues de France. It gets its name from a native of the vil-lage who saved the vine from a terrible 1874 phylloxera epidemic;
• as for the Trophée Lyon Beaujolais nouveau, it brings together just under a hundred interna-tional experts to taste and reward the thousands of cuvees that are produced as Beaujolais Nou-veau 4 days before the release of the famous drink. This competition is also backed by the Union des Œnologues de France,.

These are all opportunities for winemakers to perfect their wines by tasting their products and those of their peers.