Gamay
(Gamay Noir, Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)
Gamay is a red wine grape variety best known for producing Beaujolais, a light-bodied red wine from the Beaujolais region in France. It is renowned for its bright fruit flavors, low tannins, and high acidity, making it a refreshing and approachable wine suitable for various occasions.
The grape's full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, which reflects its dark skin and white juice. Gamay is particularly well-suited to the granite soils found in the Beaujolais region, where it thrives and develops its characteristic flavor profile.
The wines made from Gamay often exhibit aromas and flavors of red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, along with floral notes like violet and sometimes subtle hints of banana or bubblegum, especially in wines made using carbonic maceration. Read more
One of the most famous expressions of Gamay is Beaujolais Nouveau, a young, fruity wine released just weeks after the grapes are harvested. Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of November, known as Beaujolais Nouveau Day, and is intended for immediate consumption.
The wine's vibrant, fruity character and low tannin levels make it very popular as a festive and casual drink. In addition to Beaujolais Nouveau, Gamay is also used to produce more serious and age-worthy wines in the Beaujolais region, particularly from the ten designated Crus.
These Crus, such as Morgon, Moulin-à-Vent, and Fleurie, produce more structured and complex wines that can benefit from a few years of aging. These wines often show deeper fruit flavors, more pronounced minerality, and a greater depth of character compared to the simpler Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages wines.
Outside of France, Gamay is grown in other regions, including Switzerland, where it is often blended with Pinot Noir to create Dôle, and in parts of North America, particularly in Oregon and Canada, where winemakers appreciate its ability to produce fresh and fruity wines.
