Top 100 red wines of Beaujolais
Discover the top 100 best red wines of Beaujolais as well as the best winemakers in the region. Explore the varietals of the red wines that are popular of Beaujolais and the best vintages to taste in this region.
Discovering the wine region of Beaujolais
Beaujolais is an important wine region in eastern France, famous for its vibrant, Fruity red wines made from Gamay. It is located immediately South of Burgundy, of which it is sometimes considered a Part, although it is in the administrative region of Rhône. The extensive plantings of Gamay in this region make Beaujolais one of the few regions in the world that is so concentrated on a single Grape variety. Pinot Noir is used in small quantities in red and rosé wines, but in the name of regional identity, it is being phased out and will only be allowed until the 2015 harvest.
Although best known for its red wines, the region also produces white Beaujolais Blanc, from Chardonnay and Aligote. These two white wine varieties are also sometimes used in local red wines, in which they can make up to 15% of the Final blend. There are several forms of Beaujolais red wine: standard Beaujolais (including Beaujolais Supérieur), Beaujolais Villages and the Young, characterful Beaujolais Nouveau. The highest quality wines of the region are those of the ten Beaujolais crus - ten wine regions Long recognized as the best in the region.
Discover the grape variety: Gamay noir
Gamay is a Burgundian grape variety that has existed since the 14th century. For fear of competition with the pinot noir of Burgundy, gamay was finally uprooted and planted in the Beaujolais region, from Mâcon to Lyon. These siliceous and granitic soils suit it perfectly, and it gives its best here. But it is also planted all over France, such as in Lorraine, in the Loire Valley, in Bugey, in Savoie and in Auvergne. Gamay is early and very productive and needs to be limited so that quality prevails over quantity. Short winter pruning of the shoots and high density of vines per hectare are the methods that allow it to produce very fruity, fresh and greedy red wines. Gamay is also very popular in red wine futures, and produces wines from the Beaujolais region with very interesting character and ageing potential. The AOCs Crémant-de-Bourgogne, Mâcon, Anjou, Touraine, Rosé de vallée de la Loire, Côtes-d'Auvergne, Saint-Pourçain, Bugey, Gaillac, Côtes du Luberon... and many vins de pays are proud of it. Today, about 36,000 hectares of Gamay are cultivated in France, including 22,000 hectares in Beaujolais.
Food and wine pairing with a red wine of Beaujolais
red wines from the region of Beaujolais go well with generally quite well with dishes of pasta, veal or pork such as recipes of spaghetti with beef balls, italian veal roulade or tartiflette (from a real savoyard).
Organoleptic analysis of red wine of Beaujolais
On the nose in the region of Beaujolais often reveals types of flavors of cherry, grass or dried herbs and sometimes also flavors of tree fruit, banana or marzipan. In the mouth in the region of Beaujolais is a with a nice freshness.
News from the vineyard of Beaujolais
Decanter World Wine Awards 2022: Results announced
The world’s largest and most influential wine competition, Decanter World Wine Awards results offer a definitive guide to the dynamic world of wine. Each year’s results offer surprises and revelations, highlighting growth in quality and consistency – or lack thereof. An all-time record for wines tasted, discover the results from the 19th edition of the competition. Quick links to DWWA 2022 results Search all Best in Show medals Search all Platinum medals Search all Gold medals Search ...
Decanter guide to picnicking for wine lovers
According to lifestyle and happiness guru Gretchen Rubin, you ‘bring your own weather to a picnic’. Ms Rubin, I’d suggest, has never shivered under a tree watching raindrops turn her fish-paste sandwich to mush because the weather forecast was wrong. There are, it’s safe to say, picnics and Picnics. It’s a term that takes in everything from a rubber baguette in a French ‘Aire’ off the Autoroute du Soleil to a four-course spread while listening to opera at Glyndebourne. What’s definitely true is ...
Burns Night: Wines to match with haggis
Ideas for pairing wines with haggis on Burns Night: Syrah / Shiraz Shiraz-Grenache blends Viognier Beaujolais Cru (Gamay) German Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) Chilean País There are a few different avenues to explore if you’re looking to pair wines with haggis, which sees its star quality celebrated at Burns Night supper with the traditional reading of Robert Burns’ poem, ‘Address to a Haggis‘. Made well, and from a quality source, haggis offers a rich combination of meaty ...