Gamay Wine Guide – Wine Spotlight

Have you heard of Gamay before? Or perhaps you might know it better by its other popular name – Beaujolais. If you haven’t heard of this grape variety before, have I got a treat for you. This grape makes wines that are perfect for Summer, fruity, light and perfect with food. Sound good? Well let’s dive into this Gamay wine guide so we can discover everything you need to know about this grape.

Spotlight on Gamay

Gamay originated in Burgundy France, but is now most popular as Beaujolais nouveau. Although it is a French variety, its popularity has grown all over the world. It’s renowned for its fruity flavours, light body and high acidity, producing refreshing ready-to-drink wines. The great thing about Gamay is that you can enjoy it chilled, making it the perfect red wine for Summer. If you love Pinot Noir I think you’re going to love Gamay, and love the price tag even more!

Origins

Gamay originated in Burgundy which is now famous for Pinot Noir. It was outlawed in the late fourteenth century by Philip the Bold because he preferred Pinot Noir to Gamay, and so all the existing Gamay vines were uprooted. But he could not stop the growers in the Beaujolais region in the south of Burgundy who defied the duke’s orders and grew Gamay for generations. It wasn’t until 1937 that the Beaujolais region became a Protection Designation of Origin which led to a rise in popularity for Gamay wine.

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It wouldn’t be a Gamay wine guide without jumping into what to expect in your glass. Gamay is most often described as light and fruity with bright fruits and delicate aromas. The fruit comes more from the aromas than the taste. You’ll also fun violets, iris and peony flowers along with cherry, raspberry and plum. Many of these wines, particularly from France will also have a earthy background flavour.

Gamay wines are light in body and have high acidity. They also have low tannins which makes them quite easy drinking, and also means they are better off being enjoyed relatively young. Gamay wines are also commonly made using carbonic maceration where whole grapes are fermented in sealed tanks of carbon dioxide. This draws out different flavour compounds without introducing high levels of tannins from crushed grape skins. The result is wines that are softer and fruitier which might also have flavours of candy and banana.

Where you’ll find Gamay

When it comes to Gamay, Beaujolais produces 75% of the world’s wine. Although you can find it in other region’s of France, wines labelled Beaujolais are the most famous for producing Gamay. You can also find it in the Loire Valley where it is often blended with other grapes.

Gamay thrives in cooler temperatures, but it is quite versatile in terms of where it can be grown. This is why you’ll find it throughout Australia’s cooler climate regions such as Tasmania, the Mornington Peninsula and the Yarra Valley, as well as the Granite Belt and Hunter Valley.

What to look for

When looking at wines from Beaujolais there are a number of different labels to know. Basic quality wines may be labelled ‘Beaujolais’ or ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’. The next level up in terms of quality is the village and cru level wines which can be aged and often taste similar to Red Burgundy. The great thing about this is that Beaujolais is usually undervalued, unlike its Burgundy counterparts, so you can usually find village and cru Beaujolais for a little bit more than the basic options.

What to pair Gamay with

The great thing about Gamay is that its high acidity and low tannin means it is incredibly versatile for food pairings. You can’t really go wrong when pairing it with food, making it the perfect Summer food wine for those hot days. It is so versatile you can pair it with delicate dishes that red wine would normally not go with, but also salty and caramelised foods.

If you’re looking for some perfect combinations, try roast chicken or seafood, particularly salmon. Gamay also goes incredibly well with cheese and charcuterie for those of you looking for something light in the warmer weather!

In summary: Gamay wine guide

Gamay may not be as well known as its partner in Burgundy, Pinot Noir, but it is a great option if you’re looking for a more affordable option. This light, fruity wine is perfect for warmer weather and goes oh so well with food. Its high acidity and low tannins make it an easy drinking red that is great chilled and versatile when pairing with meals. So next time you’re looking for a light red, why not give a Gamay a go?