Welcome to Beaujolais, where the wine is the colour of rubies and tastes of wild cherries and violets. Destined for sprawling hedonic lunches in the sun (or rain), Beaujolais is located in eastern France near the border of Switzerland and within the wider Burgundy region, and is home to winemakers who pay homage to Gamay, a thin-skinned grape that makes up nearly all of the wine production in this area.
Though most of these wines are often dismissed as mere ‘table wines’, they have certainly worked hard to stamp their name on a finer repertoire, with 10 Crus now existing. The evolution of these wines from much-maligned Beaujolais Nouveau to the finer fancies is made clear in the glass - with some displaying qualities similar to those normally found further north in the illustrious villages of the Cote d’Or, with more finesse and complexity.
There are 10 Crus in this region: Brouilly, Chénas, Chiroubles, Côte de Brouilly, Fleurie, Juliénas, Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, Régnié, and Saint-Amour.
What colour is Beaujolais wine?
Generally Beaujolais glows crimson in the glass, sometimes with a girlishly pink hue. Its opacity is on the lighter side when it comes to your standard glass, but more serious Beaujolais can become more concentrated in colour, with darker reds that lend nearly to purples.
What does Beaujolais taste like?
Known for its high acidity and low tannins, these perfumed wines are bright and vibrant with a healthy dollop of juicy (though not jammy) red berries and blueberries with hints of earth and violet. A good tang comes from notes of pomegranate and cranberry, while in the Crus, some complexity comes from dark forest bramble, spice and soil. It can be a little racy, but flirty, and always up for a party!
Here are three of our top Beaujolais picks of 2021
Beaujolais-Villages, Mr No Sulphite 2019
Very funky, with an intense ruby, blueberry and fruity palate, silky tannins and plenty of finesse.
Jane Eyre Fleurie 2019
From eighty-year old vines. Inky, deep yet crunchy blue fruits. Morello cherry and dry spices, then a whiff of smoky cedar. Intense yet supple.
Philippe Pacalet Chenas 2016
Philippe makes wines which are uniquely exciting, using only wild yeasts. They are truly special, visceral and buzzing with energy! This vintage has dark berry fruits on the nose with a cheeky touch of hickory. Slightly savoury, fresh and lingering.