James Charles Winery & VineyardCuvée de la Reine

Discover the grape variety: Gamay de Bouze

Gamay de Bouze is a grape variety known since the 19th century. Originally from Burgundy, it is found, in increasingly small areas, in the vineyards of the Cher Valley. It was used, among other things, to add a little colour to wines that lacked it. Petit mourot, rouge de couchey or rouge de bouze are the other names for this grape variety with small bunches. Sometimes winged, these are cylindrical in shape and bear berries of varying sizes. The colour of the fruit shells, bluish black, is characteristic, as is the intense red of the leaves in autumn. The leaves come from buds that appear early. They are borne by vines that are pruned short and upright. Of average vigor, Gamay de Bouze is found in soils of low fertility. It must be protected from wood diseases and chlorosis. The vinification of the rosé juice from the pulp gives a product with notes of black fruit.