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.

Informations about the Winery Henri La Fontaine

The winery offers 15 different wines.

Its wines get an average rating of 3.5.

It is in the top 76 of the best estates in the region

It is located in Beaujolais

The Winery Henri La Fontaine is one of of the world's great estates. It offers 15 wines for sale in the of Beaujolais to come and discover on site or to buy online.

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.

News related to this wine

Top dining experiences of the northern Rhône

Vienne Located south of Lyon, La Pyramide in Vienne is a ‘temple to gastronomy’, according to Decanter’s Rhône correspondent Matt Walls. This two Michelin star family-run restaurant offers a fine dining experience, sourcing many of its ingredients from the Rhône Valley. Led by checf Patrick Henriroux, it creates an innovative cuisine that combines traditional French techniques with modern twists. Ampuis If you’re looking for a casual and relaxed dining experience to enjoy local dishe ...

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 ...

Beaujolais: Fleurie premier cru plan backed by winemakers

More than 85% of winegrowers in the Fleurie appellation voted in favour of the premier cru plan at a meeting on 28 March, attended by more than 70 producers representing around 60% of the appellation’s surface area, said local officials. An application to create Fleurie premier cru sites will now go to national appellation body INAO (Institut national de l’origine et de la qualité), although approval could take several years. Fleurie’s plan is one strand of a wider process that ...