Louis Jadot

A typical Beaujolais.

What: Red. 2022

Where: Your friendly neighborhood Utah State liquor store

How Much: $15 / bottle

Rating: 3 out of 5 (remember, 3 = Solid example; would drink again)

Review: When it comes to easy drinking fermented grape juice, the winemakers of southeastern France have the process nailed. So when I found myself pushing through the doors of my local state liquor store in search of something tasty that I didn’t have to think too much about, Beaujolais was an easy sell.

Made from the Gamay grape, Beaujolais is an easy drinking red, perfect for spring, summer, and fall afternoons. Think of days that beg you to leave the windows open. Think of clear blue skies demanding you step outdoors and walk barefoot through the grass. Now think of a glass of wine in your hand. It’s low in tannin and higher in acidity, making each sip refreshing. It’s perfect for the day — it’s Beaujolais.

Pouring this bottle was like watching a stream of liquid rubies fall, slosh, and swirl in the bottom of my tasting glass. The wine’s color is fresh, clean, inviting. On the nose, I’m hit with the scent of bright red fruits that evoke memories of eating tart fruit leather as a kid. Bright on the tongue. Mouth wateringly acidic at first sip. The second sip reveals its nice tannic structure, astringent in a good way that doesn’t overcome the fun of all that acid. It’s got a medium finish, leaving nice flavors of unspecific red fruit lingering on the tongue. Toward the end of my tasting, the word “cranberries!” hit me like a bird out of the blue. Bright red, tart, slightly bitter, fun to eat. Yeah, if I were to assign a fruit to this one, it would be cranberry. Go pick up a bottle of this Beaujolais and tell us what you think.