Gamay: Cheerleader of Wine Grapes
Picture this: The sky turns raspberry red as the sun sets on a warm evening during the town’s baseball match. At halftime, the Beaujolais Belles appear, led by Gaby Gamay, head of the cheerleading squad. Gamay’s team always brings the glow: vibrant, cheerful and full of energy in their hot pink outfits and silky skirts, with bubblegum pink pom-poms bouncing playfully, perfectly in time with the music. Light on their feet and nimble, they jump, twist and turn, but when it’s time for the pyramid, they show strength. The younger members assemble at the bottom while the more experienced ‘Cru’ show dexterity with complex moves at the top.
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Gamay makes wines that are vibrant and pinky red, comparatively light in body and fruity, with bursts of strawberry bubblegum, ripe red berries and raspberry leaf. Behind all that energy and bounce, however, there’s a real sense of balance. The world's most famous region for the grape is Beaujolais, France, where quality levels vary as you move up the pyramid, but you can find it in small pockets elsewhere too. It’s aromatic and elegant with very soft tannins, making it one of those gentler reds that can take a slight chill on a warm day. It also loves a baguette with paté or a charcuterie lunch.
It’s Beaujolais Nouveau day next week (Thursday 19th Nov), so I’ll do a full Beaujolais run-down then with its own Sips Safari!
GAMAY SIPS SAFARI
Gamay 1: Beaujolais, France
A bit like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, Gamay at the moment really is all about one region - and that is Beaujolais, just South of Burgundy proper. Here, it thrives in granite soils, producing everything from light, fruity, perfumed Beaujolais Nouveau styles to straight Beaujolais, then Beaujolais-Villages, and finally, at the top of the pyramid, the more serious, age-worthy wines from the 10 famous ‘Crus’. From north to south, these are: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly.
Try: Dominique Piron Beaujolais Villages 2024, £14.75 Waitrose
Gamay 2: Loire Valley, France
While not nearly as prestigious as Beaujolais, Gamay from the Loire Valley in France offers fresh and approachable, easy-drinking styles from regions like Touraine and Anjou, where it’s also often blended with other varieties. Loire Gamay wines tend to be light, fruity and often slightly spicy, perfect for early drinking.
Try: ‘L’Artiste’ Gamay Noir, Bougrier, Loire Valley, 2023, £15.95 Fine Wine Direct
Gamay 3: Switzerland
Switzerland also produces notable Gamay, especially in the Valais and Geneva regions, where it’s often blended with Pinot Noir to create ‘Dôle’ wines. These styles tend to be fresh, fruity and slightly more structured than lighter Beaujolais styles, with riper, red fruit flavours and a subtle earthiness. They are hard to find in the UK though and tend to be pricey.
Try: Gamay Mont-sur-Rolle, Maison Blanche, 2023, £32.58 Alpine Wines
Also try:
Outside France and Switzerland, Gamay is slowly gaining traction in the Willamette Valley Oregon, in Canada’s Niagara Peninsula, New Zealand and California, where some producers are experimenting with both light and structured styles. If you find them, compare them to a Beaujolais!
Gamay is…
🎨 Vibrant, raspberry red in colour
🏋️♂️ Very soft and very juicy when young
👃 All about strawberry bubblegum and fresh raspberry notes
📍 The star grape of Beaujolais, France
🍴 Pair with cold cuts, paté, duck and mushrooms
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