Beaujolais: Hooray for Gamay!

Venturing into the Southernmost terroir of Burgundy, we will find the region of Beaujolais. The major grape they grow there, is Gamay. Gamay, like Pinot Noir, are unique and very expressive of floral and spicy notes. The wines offer bright red fruit and a wonderful racy acid, but the color is often much deeper than Pinot. There are “the 10 communes” of Beaujolais. We will visit 3 of them: Chénas, Moulin-a-Vent, and Fleurie.

 Lucien Lardy, Beaujolais-Villages Blanc Chardonnay 2015

This wine is so well balanced. “Villages” is a higher designate than just Beaujolais. It has all the right fruitiness that's filled out by a rich texture, apricot acidity and some spice, yellow apples skins, and lemon zest. Just a great chardonnay that isn’t overly oaked.

Collin, Perle Rouge, Loire NV

Ok, so this one isn’t from Beaujolais, but it is the Gamay grape and I love this wine. It is deep red, dry as a bone and sparkling! The wine is made in the method ancestral, or "pet-nat". The wine is fresh and fun, with aromas ranging from forest, dried flowers to dried cranberry and strawberry. In the mouth there is plenty of crunchy, crisp red cherry fruit.

Pascal Aufranc, Chenas 2014

Deep ruby robe around this amazing wine. This wine seduces with its rich red fruit fragrance as well as its iris and dried flower aromas. The attack in the mouth is frank without being aggressive. Elegant and racy with nuances of wood and flowers.

 Lucien Lardy, Moulin-a-Vent 2014

This is a finely balanced wine. A firm tannic structure promises aging, while the radiant red fruit is shining through. Black cherries and red berry fruits are given a lift with acidity. Try this with a spread of chevre.

Lucien Lardy, Fleurie 2014

Fleurie wines are some of the most highly regarded in Beaujolais. This wine will bring solid mineral tones. Vinified without sulphur, this wine is all about fruit. It has red-berry flavors, ripe tannins and just the right amount of acidity to keep everything bright and fruity.