Beaujolais
The best-value red in France, and the most underestimated.
Beaujolais: the home of Gamay
Beaujolais spent years dismissed as cheap and cheerful thanks to Beaujolais Nouveau, but the serious wines here are a revelation: light, juicy, fragrant reds from the Gamay grape that drink like a friendlier Pinot Noir at half the price. The ten named Cru villages are the secret, and the smart money has been buying them for a decade.
The wines
Gamay makes bright, low-tannin reds full of red fruit and floral lift. The ten Crus, including Morgon, Fleurie and Moulin-à-Vent, are the top tier and can age, while basic Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages are made for easy drinking.
Where to go
The region sits just north of Lyon, where rolling hills of granite hold the Cru villages. Many small growers welcome visitors, and the landscape of golden-stone villages, the Pierres Dorées, is lovely in its own right.
Eat
Lyon is France's food capital and Beaujolais is its house red. Charcuterie, roast chicken and the bouchon classics of the city all sit perfectly with chilled Gamay.
Getting there
Fly into Lyon, then drive about an hour north. Lyon makes an excellent base, combining a great food city with easy access to the vineyards.
Know the wine before you go.
The app teaches you Gamay in five minutes, then helps you order it with confidence. Learn the grape, then come back and plan the trip.
Beaujolais wine tours & tastings
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Beaujolais, quick answers.
What grape is Beaujolais?
Gamay. It makes light, juicy, fragrant reds, quite different from the Pinot Noir grown just north in Burgundy.
Is Beaujolais the same as Beaujolais Nouveau?
No. Nouveau is the young, simple wine released weeks after harvest. The serious wines are the ten Cru villages, which are far more rewarding and can age.
Should Beaujolais be served chilled?
Lightly, yes. A short time in the fridge suits its bright, fresh style, which is part of why it works so well in summer and with casual food.
