James Beard Award-winning author and Wine Communicator of the Year. The weight of the grapes at the top of the vat also begins a natural gentle pressing, releasing more juice into the vessel. The Gamay grape is synonymous with the Beaujolais region, where it reaches its peak of quality and expressiveness. The ruling dukes of Burgundy even tried to outlaw the variety, distrustful of its unfamiliar taste and texture. If you want to try Gamay, there are a few things to know and expect from this wine. How Pull-Tabs Became a Pillar of Minnesota's Bar Culture, Over a Century Ago, Coors Made a Milk Alternative Before It Was Cool. To get a real sense of the quality and character of French Gamay, we chose a Cru from Chiroubles, where some of the best Beaujolais in the country is made. $12 Gamay, or Gamay Noir Jus Blanc, is a lighter-bodied, fruit-forward grape variety used to make red wine. Gamay is typically a light bodied and fruity wine. Gamay, or Gamay Noir Jus Blanc, is a lighter-bodied, fruit-forward grape variety used to make red wine. There are 10 vineyards or crus in Beaujolais that produce premium quality Gamay wines: Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin--Vent, Regnie, and Saint Amour. However, it thrives best at higher altitudes and cooler regions. In the Loire Valley, Gamay is used primarily to make ros wines in the Anjou and Saumur appellations, but is also used in blends with Pinot Noir. WebBest Gamay Wine. It can also aerate the wine longer, allowing them to taste the most delicate flavours in the wine. Yeast is then added to complete the fermentation process. Although long synonymous with Beaujolais, gamay is finding its footing in a handful of regions outside of France, though as always, knowing which producers to select, both from within France and beyond, is crucial. WebBest Gamay Wines. Buying wine from your local grocery store can certainly be convenient, but finding a good bottle among those of questionable quality not to mention overwhelming quantity can be challenging. (He also learned a good deal of his craft from winemaker Jean-Claude Lapalu, below.) Press 13.5/20 WebOur curated selection of wine starts with our connection to the winemakers. It arrived there (most likely from Germany) in the 14th Century and initially received an unenthusiastic welcome. Gamay provides the backbone to some of the most refreshing and thirst-quenching red wines on the planet. Gamay wines from warmer climates have more concentrated black fruit flavors of juicy plum and boysenberry. $19 Gamay-based wines are typically light bodied and fruity. Thank You! On the palate, high-toned flavors of strawberries, cranberries, thyme, and white pepper lead to a refreshing acid-laden finish. Leave your notes below or post on social media with #34Wines34Weeks for a chance to get featured. Gamay provides the backbone to some of the most refreshing and thirst-quenching red wines on the planet. You really can't go wrong with this kind of quality at such a low price, we check out the latest vintage of the Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from Costco. These wines carry a well-known name and shy away from the high-alcohol, overly sweet wines one often finds in the California section of a grocery store. Scott Woltz, Beverage and Wine Director, Quality Branded, NYC/Denver/Miami Beach, FL, Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village or Pinot Noir. It is sometimes used to make ross as well as sparkling wines such as Cerdon de Bugey. The Gala is a new wine for this top Gamay Noir practitioner. They always come in under $20 and are the best bang for your buck, especially if you need party pleasers. Ashley Broshious, Restaurant Manager and Head Sommelier, Zero Restaurant + Bar, Charleston, SC, My good experiences within the supermarket genre have been few and far between. All three are really solid and well crafted and perfect for everyday drinking. On the palate, it has flavours of red fruits, such as red cherries and raspberries. She has a background as a wine buyer and consultant. Its medium to high acidity gives it a refreshing mouthfeel. Antoine Sunier is no stranger to great winemaking. ______________________________________________, Georges Duboeuf In Burgundy, for example, they pair Gamay with Escargots a la Bordelaise. Ratings reflect what our editors felt about a particular product. If youre pairing your Gamay with fish, you can opt for more fatty varieties like grilled salmon. WebGamay Gamay is a purple-coloured grape variety used mostly to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its quite handy for impromptu gatherings, guests, people to impress, etc. For seafood lovers, try with spicy seared tuna or plank salmon. please see, Chablis' Tale of Tariffs and Climate Change, The Simple Truth about Complexity in Wine, Willamette Still West Coast's Wine Sweetheart, Small Producers Contribute to Hawke's Bay Recovery, Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais, France, Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon, Beaujolais, France, Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, France, Domaine Leroy Beaujolais Villages Primeur, France, Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon 'Cuvee 3.14', Beaujolais, France, Guy Breton Morgon P'Tit Max, Beaujolais, France, Domaine Jean Foillard Morgon Cuvee Corcelette, Beaujolais, France, Louis Jadot Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent, Beaujolais, France, Domaine Coudert - Clos de la Roilette Fleurie Cuvee Tardive, Beaujolais, France, Jean-Louis Dutraive Domaine de la Grand'Cour Fleurie 'Le Clos' Cuvee Vieilles Vignes, Beaujolais, France, Les Heritiers Saint-Genys Morgon En Ruyere, Beaujolais, France, Domaine Coudert - Clos de la Roilette Fleurie, Beaujolais, France, Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages, France, Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais, France, Domaine Marcel Lapierre Morgon 'Cuvee Marcel Lapierre', Beaujolais, France, Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly Cuvee Zaccharie, Beaujolais, France, V. Sattui Winery Gamay Rouge, Napa Valley, USA, Jean-Marc Burgaud Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais, France, Chateau du Moulin-a-Vent 'Moulin-a-Vent', Beaujolais, France, Domaine Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernieres Les Impenitents, Beaujolais, France, Yvon Metras Fleurie Cuvee l'Ultime, Beaujolais, France, Louis Jadot Chateau des Jacques Moulin-a-Vent Clos de Rochegres, Beaujolais, France, Dominique Piron Morgon Cote du Py, Beaujolais, France, Grilled salmon fillet with roasted fennel. Get expert advice, free shipping with StewardShip, and more. If you have a wide-bowled Burgundy glass, pour your wine to experience Gamay at its best. Its fruitiness shines best when paired with spice and herb-focused meats. Gamay is one of those wines where a large part of the fruit character in the wine is derived from the aromas (and not as much in the taste). It is a young wine, which is produced right after the November harvest. Or if its the time of year, Beaujolais Nouveau. What is the Tasting Challenge? True Gamay Noir a Jus Blanc are planted in cooler regions in California. When it's grown in Beaujolais, there are four levels of Gamay red wines you can buy. Wine Store Online - Shop the Best Wine Online | Wine.com Gamay is the grape variety responsible for the red wines of Beaujolais, which is a region south of Burgundy in France. Crafted at the hands of a motorcycle-mechanic-turned-vigneron and his partner Marine Bonnet, this wildly delicious gamay from the Cte de Brouilly is an essential pick for lovers of the grape everywhere. Gamay wines are loved for their delicate floral aromas, subtle earthy notes, and surprising ability to pair with food (even fish!). When possible, products considered flawed or uncustomary are retasted. Gamay from Touraine is light and fruity and meant for early consumption. Gamay is a red grape of French origin that has been vinified since the 1300s. Gamay is the grape variety most closely associated with Beaujolais, the wine region south of Burgundy. It only takes a minute and any money you can give (no matter how large or small) will go a long way to helping me reach my target. These wines can age, and often will have a similar taste character to red Burgundy. Beaujolais wines undergo carbonic maceration. As mentioned, Gamay is tougher than Pinot Noir. Basically! Some true Gamay Noir Jus Blanc is planted in California, with the best examples coming from cooler regions at higher altitudes. No discussion of Beaujolais is complete without mention of Duboeuf, which has arguably done more to popularize the red wines of the region than any other producer. I have found on many occasions amazing deals and buys. Christina Kang, Beverage Director, The Breslin, New York, NY, I usually find the wines of Chateau Ste. 2007 Brouilly Gamay Based on a mean of critics scores, updated monthly and weighted according to the number of reviews, and number of critics. In recent years, the popularity of Gamay wine has exploded thanks to the annual marketing campaigns related to Beaujolais Nouveau. Fermentation begins inside the grapes while they are still intact. It is, however, also grown in reasonable quanitities in various parts of the Loire Valley (notably Anjou), in Savoie and in western Switzerland. In general, serving red Gamay wine with a slight chill is a good idea: A 20-minute stint in the fridge will brighten it up even further and bring its floral and fruit notes to the fore. The best part is, you can find high quality Gamay at a much better price than Pinot Noir. Is Beaujolais Gamay? However, CO2 is never added. A visual guide to wine with 230+ pages of infographics, data visualization and wine maps that simplifies the world of wine. Regardless of where the grapes are grown or how they are fermented, the Gamay grape variety will produce wines with a light body and delicate fruity flavours. 2007 Rgni Gamay In recent years, the popularity of Gamay wine has exploded thanks to the annual marketing campaigns related to Beaujolais Nouveau. The best part is, you can find high quality Gamay at a much better price than Pinot Noir. The grapes thin skin is low in tannins, which brings out a dry sensation on your tongue. If youre one of the few who actually stops to smell the neighbors flowers, or breathes in deeply when youre in a forested area then you are the ideal drinking candidate for Gamay. Side Note: garnet is an odd color for Beaujolais which could suggest oxidation (theyre usually a more ruby-purple color), but the wine tasted okay, so we rolled with it! For instance, exports of red wines and roses in the region eventually increased. $19 To get the best tasting red wine, make sure youre storing and serving your bottles at the proper temperature. An older block of chardonnay was grafted over to gamay in 2014, and the wine was first produced two years later using whole-cluster and partial carbonically macerated fruit. Log in. WebOur curated selection of wine starts with our connection to the winemakers. Now, the Gamay grape is grown all over the world. Gamay is an increasingly discussed grape variety among sommeliers and other wine professionals, due to its ability to express where it's planted and the fact that it can be made in a drink-right-away style or one that's more suited to aging. This technique is most often employed for what is arguably the most famous (and infamous) expression of the grape:Beaujolais Nouveau. In general, Gamay wines have red fruit flavor (like sour cherry, raspberry, red currant, and strawberry) with notes of And Beaujolais Cru is the most age-worthy. Its not a wine to be cellared or saved and is instead best enjoyed while its vibrant red fruit character and high acidity are fresh. Overall, the best Gamay wine comes from Burgundy, France. If youre from Australia, you can choose from a variety of wines at The Wine Collective. Unless Im in a specialty wine shop, I never spend more than this on a bottle of wine.. We Asked 10 Sommeliers: Whats Your Go-To Supermarket Wine? In other regions in France, Gamay might be served alongside creamy rabbit dishes. In California, youll find different Gamay varieties such as Napa Gamay. Wines labeled simply "Beaujolais" are produced from grapes grown throughout the region; they tend to be fruit-driven and fairly straightforward. Get the latest in beer, wine, and cocktail culture sent straight to your inbox. Spoiler, it's more than just Pinot-land. Overall, the best Gamay wine comes from Burgundy, France. Get expert advice, free shipping with StewardShip, and more. $12 at Trader Joes. Dan Skinner, General Manager, Chinese Tuxedo, New York, NY, I always try [to] find lesser-known regions in grocery stores. This process creates fruit-driven flavors and low levels of tannins in the wines it ultimately produces. Manage Cookies Accept & Continue. Beaujolais Nouveau is the most fruit-forward and uncomplicated of them, an inexpensive and cheerful red released the third Thursday in November. We think of terroir as natural magic, but what is the human contribution to this elusive concept? In this case, that region is Beaujolais. Aromas: Macerated strawberries, tilled soil, crushed granite, violets, pomegranate, brown sugar. You can even serve it with savoury or creamy fish dishes. The Gala is a new wine for this top Gamay Noir practitioner. | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/10-best-supermarket-wines-2019-grocery/, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Champagne, wbs_type Grenache, wbs_type Pinot Noir, wbs_type Riesling, wbs_type Ros, wbs_type Syrah (Shiraz), wbs_brand Chateau des Annibals, wbs_brand Chteau Ste Michelle, wbs_brand Jenny & Francois Selections, wbs_brand Jordan Winery, wbs_brand Louis Jadot, wbs_brand Matua, wbs_brand Tre Monti, Sommelier, Wine, Wine Business, Wine Recommendation, Beyond Beaujolais: The Short, Happy Lives of Europes Other Nouveau Wines | VinePair, https://vinepair.com/articles/european-nouveau-wine-guide/, wbs_cat Wine, wbs_type Gamay, beaujolais nouveau, gamay, vin nouveau, vino novello, Wine. All red wines bottled with a Beaujolais appellation will be crafted from gamay grapes, save for Beaujolais blanc, which is produced from chardonnay. In France, Gamay's homeland is Beaujolais. To find out how to make the best supermarket selections when a specialty shop is not an option, VinePair asked sommeliers across the country what grocery store bottles theyre grabbing when theyre in a pinch. This easy-drinking wine from Rgni shows flavors of red berries, cherry skin, and a touch of sweet spice. To make things simple to understand, here is a great little infographic to show you the classifications and names to look for: Read more about the Beaujolais region including a list of the 38 village names and details on each of the Crus . Wine Store Online - Shop the Best Wine Online | Wine.com Its said that Len Evans, a legendary gourmet and wine enthusiast, planted the first Gamay fruit in Australia in the 1970s. Often my supermarket purchases have happened during family visits for the holidays when they send out the wine guy. Jordan Chardonnay or Cabernet is often my go-to, run-in-and-run-out option. This is a wine rushed to consumers on the third Thursday of the November immediately following harvest. $19, Beaujolais Nouveau In Anjou and Saumur, located just west of Touraine, Gamay is also used to make dry ros wines. The naturally acidic grape becomes even more acidic because of the alkaline levels in the soil. The Gala is a new wine for this top Gamay Noir practitioner. We Asked 10 Winemakers: What Is Your Favorite Wine and Dessert Pairing? Cheers! Kirkland Signature Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon A $9 No-Brainer. Like other reds, Gamay pairs well with red meat like steak because it enhances the flavours of the fat. Gamay-based wines are typically light bodied and fruity. Challenge your palate this week with Frances best-known Gamay-based wine: Beaujolais. For instance, most fruity Gamay wines like Beaujolais Nouveau are best drunk within the first three years of their release. Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. Regardless of which you choose, Gamay wines tend to be fresh, relatively low in tannin, and enjoyable with a slight chill. ______________________________________________, Henry Fessy They grow original Gamay grapes across Southern Ontario, specifically in Prince Edward County and Chateau des Charmes. WebGamay from Beaujolais, Burgundy, France RP94 V94 4.2 10 Ratings Regular Price 31 99 Mix 6 or more 28 79 1 Add to Cart Ships today if ordered in next 45 minutes Chateau de la Chaize Fleurie 2018 Gamay from Beaujolais, Burgundy, France JS92 WE92 WS91 W&S90 Regular Price 34 99 Mix 6 or more 31 49 1 Add to Cart Ships today if ordered in next 45 minutes But this particular bottle offered a great chance to see how much complexity it can possess. Products deemed unacceptable (receiving a rating below 80 points) are not reviewed. Its medium to high acidity gives it a refreshing mouthfeel. 13.5/20 Similar to Pinot Noir, Gamay produces a light-bodied wine with lively acidity and low levels of. 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Cocktail recipes, tips, and often will have a wide-bowled Burgundy,... Coming from cooler regions produced from grapes grown throughout the region eventually increased your wine! A background as a wine rushed to consumers on the third Thursday in November seafood lovers, try with seared! Know and expect from this wine initially received an unenthusiastic welcome wine, more. Red berries, cherry skin, and enjoyable with a slight chill unfamiliar taste and.. Sensation on your tongue from warmer climates have more concentrated black fruit flavors of juicy plum boysenberry...