Finding the best Gamay wine is easy when you know where to focus. I have a passion for French wine so get ready to find out about the excellent Gamay wine options like Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais Crus, and more.
Best Gamay Wine From France
In the category of light-bodied red wines, Gamay is a popular choice for those who dislike the heavier quality of other red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. The Beaujolais French wine region offers some of the best Gamay wines in France. When you enjoy these wines, you’ll be in good company.
Historically, the Duke of Burgundy was both a significant fan and ambassador who promoted enjoying Burgundian wines with various foods. However, you don’t need a Burgundy glass to enjoy these wines. In terms of acidity, these wines are known for their low acidity levels and bright acidity.
Gamay wines are famous due to their accessible varietal character. As a red wine, these wines have low tannins, which makes them an excellent choice for those who regularly drink Sauvignon Blanc and other white wines. The French Gamay wines profiled below are noted for their incredible abundance of flavors. In terms of alcohol by volume, this type of wine usually has 10-11.5%. If you are concerned about your alcohol intake, switching to low-sugar wines is an option.
Domaine Daniel Bouland, $30 to $50
This noted French wine producer hand harvests wines capable of aging for decades. With 7 hectares of vines, this smaller vineyard focuses on quality. To fully experience the nuanced flavors of these wines, give these wines five years to age.
The common tasting notes for these wines include spicy tannins, blackberry, and hints of smoke. This wine may be more challenging to find because it is produced in low volumes. If you can’t find this producer at your favorite wine shop, look at some of the other options on the list.
Jean-Paul Brun Domaine des Terres Dorees, $20 to $40
This 100% Gamay wine is a natural wine made using organic methods. The winery’s soil is mainly limestone which makes it different from the granitic soils in the region. This winery is also notable for choosing not to use the carbonic maceration process (commonly used to produce fruity wine).
Les Vins Perrachon, $20-$35
Perrachon is a long-established wine family based in Burgundy. The family’s history in the wine industry dates back to 1601, making it one of the oldest family traditions I have seen in a long time. The producer offers three types of wine: Beaujolais Village, six cru Beaujolais, and special cuvees. The wine’s fruit characters include strawberries and darker fruits like black currants.
Yvon Metras Fleurie, $80
This gamay wine comes from the Fleurie Cru appellation in the Beaujolais wine region. The appellation name comes from a Roman general, Floricum, rather than the wine’s floral aroma. Geographically, the wine is located in the center of Beaujolais’s ten cru appellations. This light red wine pairs well with white meat dishes like turkey and chicken.
Domaine Jules Desjourneys Morgon, $46
This light-bodied gamy wine also comes from the Beaujolais wine region of France. Like Fleurie above, Morgon is one of the ten cru Beaujolais appellations. As a cru wine, you’re guaranteed to experience a high level of quality. Not only that, this wine has persistently enjoyed high reviews from critics with 90+ scores. The fruity aromas in this wine include strawberry, earthy notes, and hints of oaking.
Beaujolais Nouveau
Beaujolais Nouveau has a devoted following because it is a delicious wine. The French wine industry has also created great excitement about this wine because this type of Gamay wine is released annually in November (which may lead you to ask how much wine per day do the French drink?). Keep an eye out for these wines as a wine buyer if you dislike wines with smokier flavors. Almost every American wine importer stocks Beaujolais Nouveau in November and December, when these wines are released.
Gamay Wine Food Pairings
Know that you know your way around Gamay-based wines, let’s talk about eating and drinking. The typical flavor profile for Gamay wine includes cherry (e.g., black cherry or sour cherry), raspberry, and earthy notes. Regarding food pairings, the best Gamay wine pairs wonderfully with various foods. It can also pair well with some richer foods, especially those with sauces.
Vegetarian Options
There are a few options for pairing Gamay wine with vegetarian and vegan foods. Roasted eggplant is one option. Some people also like Gamay wine at Thanksgiving because it pairs well with cranberry sauce. For more ideas on what to drink with Thanksgiving, see my guide to the best wine for Thanksgiving.
Meat Pairings
The best Gamay wines pair effectively with several popular meat dishes. Beef Stroganoff is a classic choice. Gamay is also a perfect barbecue wine in the summer since this purple grape variety goes well with BBQ sauces.
Discover Other Best Wine Guides
Curious to discover more about French wine and other grape varieties? Discover your next bottle of wine by checking out some of the other wine guides published here on Travel By Glass:
Knowledgeable wine drinkers know Beaujolais Cru and other fine wines from Beaujolais, a noted French wine region. This guide includes a wide range of options, including affordable wines and a high-end wine list.
Prefer white wine? Check out this guide to the wonders of Riesling wine. You’ll discover the Riesling wine profile, fruit flavors, and more.
Chardonnay might be one of my favorite white wines as a wine lover. This guide introduces a wide array of foods that pair well with this wine variety. You might even learn how to tell the difference between oaked Chardonnay and unoaked Chardonnay in a blind tasting.
Best Gamay Wine In Summary
Gamay wine is popular for many wine drinkers because it has low tannin levels and a generous fruit character. In recent years, the popularity of Gamay wine has exploded thanks to the annual marketing campaigns related to Beaujolais Nouveau. Overall, the best Gamay wine comes from Burgundy, France. If you have the budget, look for “cru Beaujolais” to enjoy a spectacular bottle of wine.
