NEW YORK, Dec. 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- After three glorious back-to-back vintages 2009-2011, this year's 2012 vintage of Beaujolais is poised to be of excellent quality. As did most wine producing regions of France, Beaujolais had its share of frost, hail and erratic weather this year, which will result in lower quantity of the 2012 vintage. Notwithstanding, the winemakers in the region are impressed by the quality of what they have tasted thus far in the vinification process!

Overall, the ripening period took place under good conditions.  Dry breezes, progressively warming temperatures and an absence of rainfall during the first ten days of September resulted in healthy fruit at harvest.  Watchful monitoring and extra hours spent in the vineyards in concert with a window of fine weather just before and during the vintage led to a harvest of sound, perfectly mature grapes.

As the vinification comes to a close, first tastings of the 2012 vintage reveal elegant wines with luminous robes and wonderfully expressive aromas and flavours. "The 2012 vintage gives us lip-smacking wines with great finesse." says Bertrand Chatelet, technical director of the Sicarex Institute in Villefranche-sur-Saône, a research center dedicated to study of the Gamay vine.  "Depending on the terroir," he continues, "there is more or less body, but the wines all show the supple, round, fruity qualities characteristic of Beaujolais.  The tannins blend in perfectly, giving structure and length on the palate."

The 2012 cuvées already show promise and, considering the scant yield, risk becoming a rare and sought after pleasure. Consumers now have the opportunity to revisit the superb and more readily available Beaujolais of 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Beaujolais #2 – Now Available on iTunes

As a complement to its predecessor that focused on the vineyards, the latest e-magazine, Beaujolais #2, takes readers on a gourmet tour in the heart of the Beaujolais region.  Aside from interactive videos with recipes that pair well with Beaujolais wines, there are 30 young winemakers presented showing the next generation of refreshing dynamism and enthusiasm in the region.  The English version will be available in January 2013.

Free to download from the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/beaujolais-2/id568392711?mt=8

About Inter Beaujolais

Inter Beaujolais is the official wine-trade organization of the region. Its primary mission is to promote Beaujolais wines in France and in key export markets through raising awareness of the region. In addition, Inter Beaujolais is responsible for three other major activities: research and development - they boast the largest research facility in France - economic studies to best position their offer, and lastly, the protection and the defense of the Beaujolais AOC.

More information: http://www.discoverbeaujolais.com/

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A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=16179