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Beaujolais

France

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Terroir & Character

Climate

continentalwarm summerscold winters

Continental climate with warm summers and cold winters, moderated by the Saône River valley. The climate creates ideal conditions for Gamay, allowing the grapes to ripen fully while maintaining the bright acidity that makes these wines so food-friendly and refreshing.

Terroir

granitelimestone

The region splits into two distinct zones: the northern granite hills of the crus with thin, poor soils that stress vines into producing concentrated fruit, and the southern plains with richer clay-limestone soils perfect for lighter, everyday wines. This granite foundation is crucial – it drains well and reflects heat, helping Gamay develop its signature bright fruit character.

Typical Aromas

red cherryraspberryvioletbananabubble gumwhite pepper
Explore the aroma wheel

Grapes of Beaujolais

Gamay

red
Body
Tannins
Sweetness
Acidity
raspberryred cherryplumcranberry

The grape of Beaujolais. Often made with carbonic maceration, producing banana and candy notes alongside fresh red fruit. Best drunk young.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Beaujolais wine special?▼
Beaujolais is unique because it uses a special winemaking technique called carbonic maceration, where whole grape clusters ferment in a carbon dioxide environment. This creates those signature bright, fruity flavors with low tannins that make Beaujolais so food-friendly and easy to drink. The region's granite soils and the Gamay grape variety work perfectly together to produce wines that are fresh, vibrant, and meant to be enjoyed young.
What are the best Beaujolais vintages?▼
For regular Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages, recent vintages like 2020, 2019, and 2018 are drinking beautifully right now. If you're looking at the premium Cru Beaujolais (like Moulin-à-Vent or Morgon), 2015, 2016, and 2017 were exceptional years that still have great aging potential. Generally though, most Beaujolais is made to drink within 2-4 years of the vintage.
What grapes are grown in Beaujolais?▼
Beaujolais is almost entirely Gamay - it makes up about 99% of the red wine production and is really the heart and soul of the region. There's also a tiny bit of white wine made from Chardonnay and Aligoté, but when people talk about Beaujolais, they're talking about Gamay.
What food pairs well with Beaujolais wines?▼
Beaujolais is incredibly food-friendly because of its bright acidity and low tannins. It's fantastic with charcuterie, roasted chicken, salmon, mushroom dishes, and anything with herbs like thyme or rosemary. The classic pairing is with French bistro fare, but it also works surprisingly well with spicy Asian cuisine and even works chilled with summer barbecues.
How does Beaujolais compare to other major wine regions?▼
Beaujolais sits between Burgundy and the Rhône Valley, and it's much more approachable than either - both in price and style. While Burgundy focuses on elegant, complex Pinot Noir that can be intimidating, Beaujolais offers immediate pleasure with its juicy, fruit-forward Gamay wines. It's less structured than Bordeaux, less powerful than the Rhône, making it perfect for everyday drinking without sacrificing quality.