Located in the heart of Beaujolais, the Morgon AOC is one of the most prestigious appellations of this iconic wine region, situated between Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. Renowned for its rich, powerful, and elegant red wines, Morgon draws its unique character from its exceptional terroir and is one of the 10 regional crus.
In this article, we invite you to join us in discovering this remarkable appellation as well as to explore its history, terroirs, and wines. Enjoy your discovery !
Summary
History of the Morgon Appellation
The history of Morgon begins in Antiquity, when the Romans introduced vine cultivation to the region. They quickly realized that this granitic terroir was particularly suitable for producing wines of exceptional finesse.
In the Middle Ages, the vineyards of Beaujolais and Morgon came under the influence of religious orders, notably the Abbey of Cluny, which played a crucial role in the development and preservation of viticulture. At that time, Morgon wines were already appreciated for their quality in a region already mainly dedicated to red wines from the Gamay grape variety.
The first written mentions of the Beaujolais vineyards appear in documents from the 13th and 14th centuries. These texts describe general winegrowing areas, but do not mention individual villages. From the 17th century onwards, maps and merchants' writings began to mention specific winegrowing communes, showing that Morgon, like other villages, was already producing wine.
Then, with the development of river trade on the Saône from the Renaissance onwards, Morgon wines were exported more widely, especially to Lyon, a major economic and gastronomic center. Their reputation continued to grow over the centuries, particularly in the 18th century, when merchants and traders made Beaujolais a reference in the wine trade.
Finally, in 1936, Morgon was officially recognized as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO). This status crowns centuries of expertise and confirms the importance of this terroir in the French wine landscape.
Today, the Morgon AOC covers about 1,100 hectares, making it one of the largest appellations among the 10 crus of Beaujolais. Its vineyard is exclusively located in the commune of Villié-Morgon, in the Rhône department.
Beaujolais wine map with Morgon at the heart of the crus
Soils and Climate of the Morgon Appellation
The more than one thousand hectares of the Morgon appellation offer remarkable soil diversity.
Within the AOC, the land is mainly composed of decomposed granite, also known as “ rotten rock ”. This is the emblematic terroir of Morgon, particularly on the Côte du Py. These soils are rich in minerals and produce powerful, structured wines with significant aging potential.
The appellation also features decomposed schist, clay-silica soils, as well as some sandy terroirs. These latter mainly produce round and indulgents wines with a supple texture, often appreciated for their accessibility.
Moreover, Morgon benefits from a semi-continental climate with Mediterranean influences. Summers are warm and sunny, favoring optimal ripening of the grapes and good sugar concentration, while winters are cold.
Finally, rainfall is fairly well distributed throughout the year, although the ripening months (August and September) are often dry, thus reducing the risk of disease and favoring harvests with good sanitary conditions.
The soils of Morgon AOC are mainly composed of decomposed granite
The Wines of Morgon AOC
When we talk about Morgon, we refer to elegant, complex, and characterful red wines.
Exclusively made from the Gamay grape variety, the wines of the appellation stand out for their generosity and authenticity. On tasting, expect notes indulgent of stone fruits (cherry, prune), enhanced by a hint of kirsch and delicately spicy nuances (notably pepper).
The structure of a classic Morgon is balanced, both round and finely tannic, making it very charming from the first sip. Thanks to all these qualities, Morgon wines often offer great aging potential. As they age, the cuvées usually gain depth and complexity, developing aromas of undergrowth and sometimes truffle.
In short, Morgon produces great Beaujolais wines far from the clichés, which sometimes persist when it comes to wines from the region.
What to Eat with a Morgon AOC Wine?
Thanks to their complexity and character, Morgon wines pair well with a wide variety of dishes.
For example, start with a convivial aperitif and imagine Ardennes cured ham, melting in the mouth, enhanced by the fruity freshness of our wine. Duck pâtés, terrines, sausages, and other charcuterie will also pair very well with the energy of a fruity and round Morgon… pure pleasure.
For main courses, white and red meats are often a success with Morgon. Whether it’s roast chicken, stuffed turkey, beef fillet, or duck breast, the aromatic power and silky tannins of our wine will make these dishes divine pairings !
Beef bourguignon, roast pork or even some aged cheeses such as Comté, Cantal, or Beaufort will also balance very well with the measured power of a Morgon.
Finally, some vegetarian dishes such as mushroom risotto or (veggie) lasagna will also be excellent pairings.
To fully enjoy the fruity aromas and power of your Morgon, serve it slightly chilled, around 14-16°C !
Stuffed turkey and Morgon: a delicious and refined pairing
The Best Wines of Morgon AOC
If you are looking for generous, complex, and expressive Morgons, La Cave Éclairée invites you to take a close look at the Bodillard Vineyards !
At the head of 14 hectares of vines spread between AOC Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages, Morgon, and Saint-Véran, this passionate family offers top-quality cuvées with excellent value for money.
Under the direction of Renaud Bodillard, each wine receives special attention. The goal is to respect the terroir and bring out all the natural richness of the Gamay grape variety. The estate's range is flawless and all their wines, especially the Morgon Marie-Louise or L'Auguste X, are truly great deals!
This brings us to the end of our journey ! As you will have understood, Morgon is an exceptional wine that seduces with its balance, aromatic richness, and great aging potential. So, whether for a special occasion or a convivial moment, succumb to its charms ! If you wish to continue exploring the world of Morgon and Beaujolais, feel free to visit our website La Cave Éclairée. There you will find wines to meet all your expectations… See you soon!
