Gamay
TL; DR
No longer living in Pinot's shadow, Gamay is frolicking in the sunshine. Playful, juicy and living its best life.
So, what is it?--red
The ultimate light red, perfect for a 20-minute spell in the fridge on a warm day or just as is — perfectly refreshing — at any time of day. Floral, fruity, fresh.
Where did it originate?--aromatic
It originates in the small region of Beaujolais, wedged below Burgundy and above the Rhône, in the east of France near Lyon. And no wonder it shares so many traits with Pinot Noir, DNA analysis has proven Gamay is a cross between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc!
Who's famous for it?--racy
Beaujolais, France is definitely the Gamay queen bee. However other regions around the world are starting to find great success with new plantings of this grape too. This is especially true in cooler continental regions like Oregon (USA), the Okanagan Valley and Niagara Peninsula (Canada). Though recently we've also seen it sneak up in some seriously swirl table styles in Switzerland as well as New Zealand!
What does it taste like?--aromatic
Gamay is the ultimate juicy red, loaded with just-ripe fruit flavours of raspberry, strawberry and red cherry. A lilting floral note of rose petal or violet and succulent acidity round things out. The oak (if used) shouldn't be visible, and the tannins soft as silk.
Also, don't be surprised if you notice a nostalgic note of bubblegum or banana. There are some super tutti-fruity and fun examples of this grape out there due to a classic Beaujolais style of winemaking process called carbonic maceration. The most extreme of this you will see labelled Beaujolais Nouveau, and — for the keeners — are released on the third Thursday of every November at 12:01 am. That's just a few weeks after September's harvest which means the wines are extra bright and youthful!
Main styles it's known for?--cellar
Fairly universal in its lightness and freshness, the best wines from Beaujolais will have a hint of seriousness about them. You'll want to look at the 10 Crus of Beaujolais. Here the wines have more rocky/gravelly/mineral notes or a touch of grip on the finish. However, generally, it is a wine for drinking rapidly and joyfully — especially in its Nouveau suit — and is the style many regions outside of France also like to stage the grape.
What foods should you be pairing it with?--plum
This is a great go-to versatile red. It's totally chill-able, or can be served as is, and works wonderfully with things like roast chicken with herbs, a range of both soft and aged cheeses, and anything "autumnal". Think mushroom tart, braised duck, and roast butternut squash. It's also great with falafel, caramelised onions, or oven-baked mac & cheese — yum!
Fun fact: What's Beaujolais Nouveau? --earth
Basically a huge party. But also known as the special day for early-release Gamay wines, which are labelled "Beaujolais Nouveau". The party (and release) takes place on the third Thursday of November. It used to only be relevant to the French, but in recent decades this has become a huge celebration internationally! Meaning, a Beaujolais Nouveau release is imported and hits the market all over the world! Pro tip: If you join the "BN" party, make sure you drink it by New Year's! This style of wine is meant to be consumed young and will not get better with age.
If you like this, you should also give these grapes a guzzle...--wines
About the Author & Artist
Alex is a certified sommelier that spends more time running in old-growth forests than any other somm — impulsively training her nose while at it! A talented illustrator with a unique style, her doodling works are inspired by the world of wine - and somehow, seem to improve after a glass or two.