This is a really fun wine from a really geeky producer, proving once again that geeks are more fun!  Jean Paul Brun is VERY serious about Beaujolais, some would say more serious than the appellation deserves.  He adheres to a self-imposed set of purity rules that include: using only naturally occurring, indigenous yeast (almost all of the other producers use a Dutch Yeast that results in banana flavor); he refuses to chaptalize (the process of increasing the alcohol of a wine through adding sugar before fermentation in order to allow you pick unripe grapes and still make wine); and adds virtually no sulphur to his wines, preferring to leave a little of the naturally occurring C02 from fermentation in the bottle to maintain freshness.  His still wines have reminded many wine drinkers, including this one, that Beaujolais can be good.

This is an altogether different wine, though its roots lie in the same instincts that produce Brun’s excellent still wines.  This is a petillant wine, rather than a fully sparkling one, and it is produced through the Méthode Ancienne.  The difference between Méthode Champenoise and Méthode Ancienne is that while Chapenoise wines (virtually all quality sparkling wines in the world) are made using two separate fermentations, one for alcoholic fermentation, and a second (started by adding sugar) for the bubbles which takes place in the bottle, the Ancienne Method involves letting the wine begin to ferment, then throwing it in the bottles and sealing it for good, hoping that it keeps going and doesn’t explode!.  The result is wine that has a bit of sugar left in it (though natural sugar, from the grapes) and a medium level of bubbles.

Here’s why it’s called FRV 100: The phonetic pronunciation of FRV 100 in English is EFF ARE VEE ONE HUNDRED.  In French, it is EFF ERR VAY SON – in other words EFFERVESCENT! And the name fits perfectly with the wine, it’s FUN above all else.

Tart, sweet fruit, a modest amount of bubbles, and a great, intense pink color.  This wine reminds me of Spring.  Drink this with anything salty, or with anything that is moderately sweet (no marshmallows, but it’s awfully good with a lemon tart).  Drink this wine NOW!!!! It won’t get any better – but when it’s this good, who cares!