Eric Miller, for many of you, requires no introduction.  He’s that wild and crazy guy who’s spent a whole life growing grapes, turning them to wine, and traveling the world to find others who also seek to make the really good stuff!   

Main point—there is far more to Beaujolais than November’s Nouveau Day, AND away from that party, the other kind of Beaujolais is made, using very traditional methods of production and reflecting terroir complexity. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a distant memory by the time the real stars of this French wine region are allowed to be released each spring to adoring fans. These are wines truly worth celebrating.

Beaujolais, like many French regions, ranks its vineyard sites. Ordinary vineyards can produce simple "Beaujolais," while vineyards in higher-ranked villages can label their wines "Beaujolais-Villages." Those wines tend to offer more than the basic Beaujolais—more complex flavors, more structure. Best of all though, the vineyards in the 10 Beaujolais Crus can label their wines with the Cru name only (for example, "Morgon" or “Fleurie” rather than "Beaujolais"). These Cru wines represent the best of Beaujolais—serious, delicious.

The 10 Crus, from north to south are St-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte de Brouilly. Each has its own personality, its own charms. One of the greatest pleasures in wine is working your way through, exploring each of them in turn. This is what we’ll do at our event!

Further, the Crus of Beaujolais are stand-alone AOCs representing the region’s very best vineyard land. The wines are high-quality, reflecting individual terroirs and showcasing the great potential of the Gamay grape. Gamay...yes red-lovers, this is an ALL red event!

The Crus span about 20km/ 12.5mi of northern Beaujolais. The soils are largely what makes these places so special. Primarily a mixture of ancient granite and schist, the soils of the Cru areas bring out the best in Gamay. Across the board, these are structured, complex wines with spicy aromas and the potential to age well. Each Cru has its distinctive terroir signature.

These are the better wines we will feature Friday, October 20th—7 PM at the Hilton Harrisburg.  You don’t want to miss this one. Guaranteed GREAT wines, GREAT food, GREAT humor and entertainment from the man—Eric Miller. Here is Eric’s humor-filled yet factual introduction to the event:

“I quit Beaujolais in about 1990. It was like drinking white wine in drag without the fun. But now the sons & daughters have grown up, thrown out the old man, taken over the vineyards and are rocking it. Tons of fruit, shapely body, take me, take me now Freddie.

Big bold ones from the commune of Morgon. Love wines from Saint Amour. It's taken me 6 months to source worthy vintners from all ten communes, each with its own terroir, from granite soils to higher elevation. Not to mention bio-dynamic.

Catch the top Cru from the best vintage in the past 20 years with me, Preacher Beaujolais, Eric Miller, who lived, drank and played there since 1963.”

He clearly knows wine—ALL wine. How can you resist taking this wine tour with Eric? It will certainly be FUN learning.

In consultation with the Hilton Chef, we plan three small plate food pairings to complement these wines:  Salmon Brandade with Croûton; Frisée with Duck Confit, Pomegranate and Chèvre; and Grilled Pork Loin with Cherry Demi-Glace

 Please inform us of any food allergies well in advance in the notes section of your reservations or email the treasurer with concerns.

Reservation deadline is Tuesday, October 17th . We are limited to 36 participants due to the number of bottles Eric stashed. I’d say this isn’t one to wait on reservations if you want to savor the best of the best Cru Beaujolais.

     Member —$115

     Patron —$110

     Nonmember —$135

For Reservations go to the Shoppe Page on the PWS website - https://pawinesociety.org/shoppe