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You may not have heard of
the wine grape Gamay before - it's rarely if
ever bottled under the varietal name - but we
bet you've heard of Beaujolais, or maybe
Beaujolais Nouveau. Beaujolais is the region of
France where Gamay hails from and is one of the
only wine regions with an exclusive focus on
this grape.
The
History of Gamay
Gamay is an old cultivar that can
be traced back to the 14th or 15th century. Not
surprisingly, it is believed to have originated
in the village also named Gamay in the
Beaujolais area of France's famed Burgundy
wine region.
Qualities of the Gamay
Grape
When you're a red wine
grape from Burgundy, you live in constant
comparison with Pinot Noir. In contrast, Gamay
is a far easier red wine grape to
grow, and it can also be grown in
large quantities. When grown under fertile
conditions where quantity is favored, quality
predictably suffers, and this grape has gone
through many periods of disfavor for this
reason. When grown in more acidic soils that
inhibit deep root production, the wines are
vastly improved and can show true
distinction.
Gamay Wine
Characteristics
Body: light to
medium
Tannins: light
Acidity: medium to
high
Flavors: red
fruit, particulary cherry and a distinctive,
pleasant sour cherry notes
Regions Where
Gamay is Grown
- France's Beaujolais
region, where it is also made into the unique
'Beaujolais Nouveau', a fresh wine released
just a couple of months after harvest and
intended to be drunk quite young
- France's Loire Valley, where it is often
blended with other red varieties such as
Cabernet Franc
- In the Niagara winegrowing region of
Canada
- In Oregon's Willamette Valley, where Pinot
Noir is also frequently grown as in
Burgundy
Gamay Fast
Facts
- Bottled by varietal
name (Gamay) outside of France,
although not commonly grown in other
countries
-
Bottled by regional name in France:
Beaujolais
- Villages of Beaujolais: Brouilly, Chénas,
Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie,
Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié,
Saint-Amour
- Famous Producers: Georges duBoeuf, Boisset,
Louis Latour
- Very limited aging potential, best
consumed within 1-3 years
Gamay Wine
& Food Pairing
- Delicious paired
with mild cheeses and
light, tomato-based sauces;
also chicken, squab, cornish hen, pork
- Easy Food and Wine pairings with
Beaujolais:
Grilled BBQ Pork Ribs with Spicy
Jalapeno-Peanut Marinade
Turkey Empanadas
with Cranberry-Pineapple Salsa
Cajun Turkey Dirty
Rice
Here are some of our
favorites:
2005
Domaine Pascal Granger Juliénas,
Beaujolais
This Cru
Beaujolais shows the varietal's classic sour
cherry flavor with a lively
tartness. ($16)
2008
Louis Latour Beaujolais-Villages,
"Chameroy"
More ripe and
suave than the Juliénas, this is sure to please
almost any
palate. ($10)
2010 Georges
duBoeuf Beaujolais
Nouveau
From the classic
house for Beaujolais Nouveau. Fruity
and tart with notes of
cherry. ($11)
Next
Variety: Pinot Noir Wine
Grape
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