World Famous Grapes
Gamay (France)
Gamay Flavors
Gamay wines are known for their bright and fruity aromas, with dominant notes of red fruits like cherry, raspberry, and cranberry. Some examples may also display floral hints and a touch of spices.
 Strawberry |
 Raspberry |
 Currant |
 Cherry |
 Cranberry |
 Violets |
 Spices |
 Minerals |
Carbonic Maceration Flavors
 Banana |
 Mushroom |
 Pepper |
 Licorice |
Gamay Profile
Gamay tends to be light bodied with good fruit aromas, and very little tannin:
| BODY: | Light |
| TANNINS: | Low |
| FRUIT: | Medium - High |
| ACIDITY: | High |
| ALCOHOL: | 12% ABV |
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Gamay is best served slightly chilled: Beaujolais Nouveau 10°C (50°F) Beaujolais Villages 10-12°C (50-54°F) Beaujolais Cru 12-14°C (54-57°F) |
Gamay Food Pairing
Thanks to a fruity character, high acidity, and low tannins, Gamay pairs well with a wide spectrum of food:
 Antipasti |
 Pasta |
 Pizza |
 Salmon |
 Cheese |
 Sausages |
 Salami |
 Ham |
 Chicken |
 Duck |
 Turkey |
 Veal |
Excellent Pairings
Salads with Goat Cheese.
Roasted Potatoes. Onion Rings.
Seared Tuna and Salmon.
Chicken Dumplings. Chicken Paté.
Roast Chicken or Duck.
Citrus roasted Chicken.
Thanksgiving Turkey.
Pork Chops. Pork Sausages.
Tagines and Cous Cous.
Chinese Cuisine.
French Specialities
Lyonnaise Salad.
Coq au Vin.
Burgundy Snails with Garlic.
Jambon Persillé (Ham and Parsley).
Roast Chicken with Provence Herbs.
The Ideal Glass for Gamay
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Pick a Burgundy Glass for swirling & releasing the wine aromas. The shape of the glass captures and directs the delicate aromas to your nose and leads the wine to the tip of your tongue for a better reception of the tastes. The Burgundy glass was designed for the delicate and aromatic red wine Bourgogne Rouge, made from Pinot Noir grapes in Bougogne (Burgundy). |
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Carbonic Maceration
According to Jules Chauvet (the father of the french natural
wine movement),
carbonic maceration and natural wine fermentation with wild, local yeasts gives
the best expression of the terroir.
Carbonic Maceration happens when grape fermentation occurs inside the skins and it is appropriate for Gamay and Grenache.
Semi-carbonic maceration is best for Pinot Noir, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan grapes.
About Gamay
Gamay is a red wine grape known for producing light wines with vibrant fruit flavors and a refreshing acidity. The grape is famously associated with the Beaujolais region in France.
Gamay wines are fresh and fruity, making them popular as a light and refreshing red wine option.
Gamay wines have flavors of red berries (cherry and raspberry), along with floral and earthy notes. They are typically low in tannins, easy to drink, and often served slightly chilled.
Origin
Gamay is believed to have originated in the Burgundy region of France, specifically in the village of Gamay, which gave the grape its name. It was likely first cultivated in the early 14th century.
Characteristics
Gamay grapes are characterized by their thin skin and pale color, which contribute to the lightness and freshness of the wines. The thin skin also means that Gamay wines have lower tannin levels compared to many other red grape varieties.<(p>
Terroir
Gamay is particularly sensitive to its terroir, meaning the specific environmental conditions in which it is grown. The soil composition, climate, and altitude all play a significant role in shaping the character of Gamay wines.
Beaujolais
The most famous and celebrated region for Gamay wine production is Beaujolais, located in the Burgundy region of France. The Gamay grape is the sole red grape variety allowed in the Beaujolais region, and it produces a range of styles, from the light and fruity Beaujolais Nouveau to more complex and age-worthy Cru Beaujolais wines from specific villages.
Vinification
Gamay grapes are typically macerated for a short period to extract color and flavor before being fermented. The carbonic maceration method, often used in Beaujolais, involves fermenting whole grape clusters in a carbon dioxide-rich environment, resulting in wines with bright fruit flavors and low tannins.
Global Plantings
While Gamay is most closely associated with France, it is cultivated in other regions around the world, including parts of Switzerland, Canada, and the United States (particularly Oregon). These regions often put their own unique spin on Gamay, creating diverse expressions of the grape.
The Beaujolais Wine Region
Beaujolais is one of the oldest wine regions in the world, producing expertly crafted wines for over 2,000 years.
The region produces mostly light red wines which are refreshing alternatives to heavy reds.
Black Grapes
97% Gamay |
White Grapes
3% Chardonnay |
Red Wines
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White Wines
|
Soil
Schist, Clay and Sandstone |
Climate
Semi-continental |
Beaujolais Crus
From north to south the 10 Beaujolais crus are:
| Cru | Style |
|---|---|
| Saint-Amour | Typically soft, fruity, and approachable wines |
| Juliénas | Spicier, with earthy, full-bodied wines |
| Chénas | Less common, but can produce deeply structured wines with aging potential |
| Moulin-à-Vent | Known for powerful, structured wines that age well |
| Fleurie | More delicate and aromatic, often with floral notes and lighter body |
| Chiroubles | Light, fresh, and aromatic |
| Morgon | Full-bodied wines that can age for years, developing earthy stone fruit characteristics. |
| Régnié | Balanced with a fruit-forward character |
| Brouilly | The largest cru, producing easy-drinking, fruity wines |
| Côte de Brouilly | More structured and mineral-driven than regular Brouilly |