AOC Brouilly

Origin of Brouilly wines

The Brouilly vineyard is located in a region where vines have been cultivated since the Gallo-Roman era. The Romans planted vines here on the hillsides because the exposure was ideal and the granitic soils retained heat well. 

Since the Middle Ages, Brouilly has been identified as an area producing deeply colored and structured wines, more complex than those from the surrounding soils.

The Brouilly vineyard takes its name from Mount Brouilly, an iconic hill dominating the landscape. This name appears as early as the 9th and 10th centuries, and is probably derived from a former Gallo-Roman owner named Brulius. Another hypothesis is that the word "Brouilly" comes from the Latin Brullus, meaning "burnt land," echoing the good sunlight exposure of the local lands.

Created in 1938, the Brouilly Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) is located at the heart of Beaujolais and the Lyonnais vineyard.Since its official recognition, it has reflected the expertise of local estates that perpetuate winemaking traditions passed down from generation to generation. Each estate or château here contributes to the identity of the vineyard, making Brouilly a prestigious and respected cru.

The estates of Brouilly have indeed mastered with precision traditional techniques, including carbonic maceration, a winemaking method that gives certain Beaujolais red wines their vibrant fruitiness and suppleness on the palate. This method consists of fermenting the grapes in whole clusters in an atmosphere saturated with carbon dioxide, thus allowing the extraction of aromas and color while preserving the natural freshness of the Gamay.

The terroir of Brouilly

The red wines from the Brouilly AOC are grown on particularly varied soils, composed of granite, schist, sand, and sometimes clay. This geological diversity offers Gamay wines unique aromatic nuances: freshness, fruitiness, and minerality are combined. This richness of the soils gives Brouilly its uniqueness and its ability to appeal to both novices and connoisseurs.

The differently oriented slopes give the plots varied conditions: some benefit from generous sunshine promoting full ripeness, while others, better ventilated or cooler, preserve liveliness and aromatic brightness. This diversity of exposures also contributes to the diversity of the wines of the appellation.

Furthermore, several areas can be distinguished within the vineyard, each possessing its own unique character. The sectors located on the foothills of Mont Brouilly often have poorer, stonier soils, resulting in wines that are straightforward, precise, and endowed with beautiful minerality. Conversely, the lower areas, where sand and clay dominate, offer rounder wines, more indulgent and marked by black fruit. This complementarity allows each estate or château to create balanced cuvées, sometimes resulting from blends of plots with highly contrasting profiles.

Finally, this exceptional terroir is enhanced by the expertise of the winemakers. They often work family plots passed down from generation to generation, and it is also their intimate knowledge of the soils, exposures, and Gamay that enables them to produce authentic wines that respect the character of each locality. 

It is this meeting between natural diversity and human precision that makes Brouilly one of the most expressive and accessible crus of Beaujolais, often with excellent value for money.

Brouilly wines

Brouilly wines are exclusively red and are distinguished by their ruby color, their supple texture, as well as their aromas of red fruits (cherry, strawberry, raspberry, etc.). The Gamay noir à jus blanc grape variety fully expresses itself here, giving rise to elegant wines, indulgent, accessible and generous, just like the cuvées from domaine Georges Descombes.

Thanks to the diversity of soils and the exposure of the vines, each estate or château develops cuvées with their own unique identity. Some produce fresh and fruity red wines, while others offer more structured cuvées, ideal after a few years of aging.

There are also more mineral expressions found in certain areas of Mont Brouilly, where the blue stone imparts a beautiful tension to the wine.

The price of a bottle varies depending on the estate, the vintage, as well as the reputation of the estate. In general, a good Brouilly offers excellent value for money, making it a popular choice among Beaujolais enthusiasts looking for a balanced and expressive red wine.

Food and wine pairings with Brouilly

Brouilly is a red wine that is both supple and elegant, and is ideally enjoyed slightly chilled, between 14 and 16 °C. This temperature highlights its vibrant fruitiness, freshness, and delicate minerality, characteristics that make it a very versatile wine at the table.

Traditionally, Brouilly pairs perfectly with Lyonnais regional dishes, a symbol of conviviality and generosity.It enhances brioche sausage, tablier de sapeur, or quenelles, bringing to each bite a harmony between the meaty flavors and the fruitiness of the wine.

Lovers of local products will also appreciate its pairing with a country terrine, fine charcuterie or a roast poultry, thus revealing the natural ease of Gamay and its ability to balance richness and finesse.

For more contemporary cuisine, Brouilly is not limited to traditional recipes. A young, fruity, and expressive wine will find its place alongside a burger, an artisan pizza or even a mushroom risotto.The more structured crus, from granitic or schistose plots, can even accompany slightly spicy dishes or grilled meats, thus offering a wide range of possible pairings to satisfy all palates.

The best wines of Brouilly and Beaujolais at La Cave Éclairée

Would you like to discover and savor the best wines of Brouilly ? La Cave Éclairée offers you an exclusive selection of carefully chosen cuvées, where taste comes first. Each bottle reflects the authentic expression of Gamay as well as the unique identity of the Beaujolais soils.

Our selection covers the entire range of styles: light and fruity reds, perfect for an aperitif or a friendly meal, to deeper and more structured cuvées, from the warmest and most granitic plots of Brouilly. 

All our producers are committed to respecting the terroir and traditional methods, ensuring authentic, sincere, and high-quality wines. With excellent value for money, these cuvées are suitable for any occasion: a Lyonnais meal, a dinner with friends, or a refined gift for a wine enthusiast.

Explore our online store and let yourself be tempted by wines that embody all the charm, passion, and expertise of the Beaujolais estates, from Brouilly to other iconic crus of the region such as Saint-Amour or Morgon. Of course, all the other regions of France, from Burgundy to Rhône via the Loire, further west, are also featured.

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