Where Beaujolais wines come into the picture, these fruit-forward, low alcohol and low astringency wines made from the Gamay grape variety are the perfect alternative to the more traditional heavier red wine styles of the past. Preferably served slightly chilled, this is one, if not, the best red wine of the summer, with medium-high acidity, fresh red fruits, and almost no drying sensation, Beaujolais wines are perfect to bring to a picnic, beach day, or backyard grill.

Traditionally Beaujolais wines have been fermented via semi-carbonic maceration, which is a process that makes the wines gain unmistakable notes of cherries, raspberries, candied fruits, banana and even bubblegum.

 

While it’s true that at some point in the past, the great popularity of Beaujolais wines made the region produce a large amount of less than stellar quality wine to appeal to the masses, nevertheless in the last 2 decades the focus has shifted to a more quality-driven approach.

• Saint-Amour: The commune itself is very much about romance, with its statue of the legionary Saint-Amor near the church, a town hall that is the venue for many weddings. Two styles of wine are produced here: a light, fruity, floral wine that shows notes of violet and peach and a bigger, spicier version that becomes more Pinot-like with age.
• Moulin-à-Vent: Moulin-à-Vent gets its name from a local windmill. Dubbed “The King of Beaujolais,” this region’s vineyards are grown on decomposed pink granite and soft flaky quartz giving the wines a dark ruby/garnet colour, good structure and complexity. These are the most tannic and full-bodied wines of all the Cru. When they’re young you’ll notice lots of plum, cherry and violet notes, but if you can allow the wine to age up to 10 years you’ll be rewarded with more ‘Pinot’ style – dried fruits, earthy truffles, meat and spice.
• Fleurie: This is “The Queen of Beaujolais.” The vineyards are planted at a higher altitude on steep slopes. The wines are lighter in style and highly aromatic with a ’feminine’ quality. Think roses, iris and violet along with some ripe red fruits and peaches.

• Morgon: The Morgon Cru, is the largest of the Beaujolais Crus. If there is one Beaujolais appellation that you’ll often find in cellars, it’s Morgon. Tending towards excellence, the potential for ageing of this rich, powerful wine is about ten years. Morgon wines do the whole Beaujolais region honour by enhancing the intense nature of the terroir, thanks to their bouquet made up of ripe stone fruit. But their power also dwells in their unusual aromas of Kirsch liquor and eau-de-vie. Yes, Morgon wines are unique! For that matter, this appellation has a new term that has been added to French winegrowing vocabulary: “Morgonner. It’s a verb that emphasizes the peculiar taste of the wine and how it is an expression of its terroir.