Grape Varieties and Crus of the Beaujolais Vineyard
Gamay offers elegant and fruity red wines, expressing fruity aromas such as cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. Chardonnay (2% of production), for its part, produces fresh and mineral white wines, evoking notes of white fruits, citrus, and white flowers.
Beaujolais has several renowned wine appellations. The most famous is the regional Beaujolais appellation, covering most of the region. Wines produced under this appellation are often considered wines meant to be enjoyed young. They are light, fresh, and fruity, perfect for pairing with simple and friendly dishes.
Another important AOC is the Beaujolais-Villages appellation, which includes communes from the northern and central parts of the Beaujolais region. The wines produced under this AOC are generally a little more structured and complex than those from the Beaujolais appellation, while retaining their distinctive fruity character.
Finally, 10 crus (or appellations) exist within the region, bringing together the best terroirs and creating the finest wines of Beaujolais. Among the most renowned are Morgon, Fleurie, Chênas, Régnié, Juliénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Brouilly, Chiroubles, and also Saint-Amour. Usually, the wine from these crus presents a more concentrated profile as well as a more interesting aging potential than the wines from the previous appellations.
The prices of bottles here vary according to the reputation of the appellation and the estate, but you can always find cuvées offering excellent value for money. Feel free to consult our reviews as well as those of our customers to choose the estate or château that best matches your taste.
Exploring the appellations of Beaujolais
In the vast world of Beaujolais wine, each appellation offers a unique experience, allowing you to find the bottle you need. With their picturesque landscapes, the villages of Beaujolais are not only the birthplace of magnificent appellations, but also places of discovery for wine lovers.Visitors can discover sublime terroirs and taste exceptional bottles directly, whether they come from the AOP Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages or from one of the 10 crus of the region.
In terms of flavors, each grape variety expresses here a range of distinct aromas, whether it is the delicious red fruit notes of Gamay or the fine mineral touches of Chardonnay. These wines offer an intense tasting experience, perfectly representative of the Beaujolais terroirs.
AOC Saint-Amour
The wine of Saint-Amour is capable of producing fruit-forward wines, delicate and floral but also more powerful and complex cuvées.Behind its charming name, Saint-Amour is one of the most beautiful crus of Beaujolais and its more than 315 hectares of terroir make Gamay shine!
AOP Brouilly
The wines of the Brouilly AOC are generally distinguished by their lighter and fruity character. With more than 1200 hectares, Brouilly is the largest and most extensive cru of Beaujolais. Here, the granitic soils are elite terroirs for Gamay.
AOP Fleurie
Fleurie is perhaps the AOP with the most feminine wine of Beaujolais. The tannins are silky and full of finesse. The cuvées offered here are full of elegance and floral aromas (violet, rose), like that of the Clos de la Roilette estate.
The 870 hectares of vineyards of Gamay are mainly planted here on granite. The name “Fleurie” is said to come from the beautiful green springs of the region.
AOC Morgon
Among the essential crus, the AOC Morgon stands out for the complex structure of its wines. Wine enthusiasts seeking power and refinement will therefore find complete satisfaction in the bottles produced under this appellation.
The 1 100 hectares of vineyards, entirely located in the commune of Villié-Morgon, make the AOP the second largest cru in Beaujolais. The granitic and schist soils here express an incredible character in the wines. This makes you want to select a magnificent vintage wine, doesn't it? ?
AOC Moulin-à-Vent
The AOC Moulin-à-Vent produces an exceptional red wine and is considered one of the finest AOPs in the region. The cuvées here express deep notes of red fruits, full of minerality, and have a very nice aging potential. The cuvée « Couvent des Thorins » from Château du Moulin-à-Vent (the famous eponymous estate of the appellation) is a magnificent example of the typical bottle you will find here.
The 640 hectares of the AOC are spread over mainly granitic soils where Gamay expresses a distinctive character. A designation that every wine enthusiast must explore !
The case of Beaujolais Nouveau
Of course, we must mention the famous Beaujolais Nouveau ! The Beaujolais vineyard is indeed very well known for its primeur wines, released each year on the third Thursday of November under the name "Beaujolais Nouveau". These wines are vinified using a method called carbonic maceration, resulting in young, fruity, and expressive wines intended to be consumed quickly. Nevertheless, the region should not be limited to this single image of "simple wines" !
The terroirs of Beaujolais
In the region, a multitude of soils exist side by side, allowing the creation of very diverse wines. You will find clay-limestone soils producing rather fresh and light wines, but also clay-sandy soils as well as numerous granite and schist plots, enabling the production of more characterful cuvées.
The villages of the Beaujolais vineyard are also renowned for their picturesque landscapes and the châteaux that dot the region, offering wine enthusiasts a unique experience. While visiting the region, you can easily tour an estate or château and taste their delicious bottled wines.
Moreover, the semi-continental climate of Beaujolais, with oceanic influences, offers warm summers and relatively mild winters, ideal for cultivating Gamay.
Beaujolais wine delivery
La Cave Éclairée not only offers you the best Beaujolais wines, but we also focus on fast and careful delivery. Whether in France or in several European countries, you will receive your bottles in perfect condition and as quickly as possible.
The prices offered for our different delivery methods (pickup point, standard home delivery, express home delivery) are highly competitive, ensuring that your experience meets your expectations!
Whether it is for a bottle of Brouilly, Morgon, Saint-Amour, or a prestigious vintage from a renowned estate, the bottles you order will provide you with a unique experience, at an excellent value for money.
Finally, please feel free to consult the product reviews or the various Google reviews left by our customers... they are our best ambassadors!
So, which bottle will you choose ?
