The best wine from Beaujolais is luscious and fruity. The Gamay grape, which thrives in the region’s granite-based soils, produces wines light in body, high in acidity and with explosive fruit flavours. These wines are often characterised by fresh and juicy red fruit flavours, such as cherry, raspberry and strawberry, along with floral notes of peony and violets.

Beaujolais wines are usually made with the carbonic maceration process. This involves the harvesting of whole bunches of grapes, placing them in a closed fermentation vessel, adding carbon dioxide, then, after initial fermentation, pressing the grapes and fermenting the juice a second time. See more on Carbonic Maceration.

Best wine from Beaujolais: the 10 Crus

The best wine from Beaujolais comes from ten villages that have earned the status of Cru due to their exceptional terroir, which is a combination of soil, climate and traditional winemaking practices. Each has its own unique characteristics.

The 10 Crus of Beaujolais are:

• Brouilly is the largest and most southerly of the Crus. Typically light and fruity, with notes of red fruits like cherries and raspberries, these wines are known for their approachability and easy-drinking nature.
• Côte de Brouilly is grown on the slopes of Mount Brouilly. They are generally more structured and complex than those from Brouilly, with a mineral edge, due to the volcanic soils.
• Régnié is the newest of the Beaujolais Crus. Régnié wines are similar to Brouilly in their light, fruity style and often have a slightly spicy character.
• Morgon wines are some of the most robust and full-bodied in Beaujolais. They are known for their deep, dark fruit flavours and ability to age well.
• Chiroubles are the lightest and most delicate wines in Beaujolais, with a floral and often slightly spicy character.
• Fleurie. As the name might suggest, they are known for their floral aromas, along with their red fruit flavours. They are elegant and velvety, often with a hint of minerality.
• Moulin-à-Vent is perhaps the most prestigious of the Beaujolais Crus. Full-bodied and complex, with the potential to age for several years, the wines have flavours of dark fruit with earthy notes.
• Chénas is the smallest of the Beaujolais Crus. Chénas wines are rare and highly sought after and known for their spicy, floral character and ability to age.
• Juliénas are named after Julius Caesar. They are robust and spicy wines, with flavours of strawberry and cinnamon and known for their richness and complexity.
• Saint-Amour is the most northern of the Crus. These wines are light and fruity, with flavours of peach and pear, along with the typical red fruit. Popular on Valentine’s Day.

Beaujolais Cru wines can usually be cellared for around three years and, depending on the vintage, up to ten years.

Beyond these ten Crus, the Beaujolais-Villages appellation offers the next best quality. The Beaujolais appellation is the least distinguished but don’t ignore these wines, which can sometimes be very good. Don’t cellar them for too long, though; they were made to drink early.

Best wine from Beaujolais to pair with food?

The combination of fruity and floral flavours with a mineral undertone makes Beaujolais wines incredibly versatile and food-friendly. Their high acidity and low tannins make them a perfect match for a wide range of dishes.

They pair well with everything from light salads and seafood to hearty meats and cheeses. Some classic pairings are roast chicken, grilled salmon, charcuterie and soft cheeses.

For a more adventurous taste combination, try Beaujolais with spicy Asian or Mexican dishes. The wine’s fruity flavours and refreshing acidity can balance out the heat and enhance the flavours of the food.

Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes. It’s a very young wine, fermented for just a few weeks before being released to the public on the third Thursday of November, a date known as ‘Beaujolais Nouveau Day’.

In 2023, that’s 16 November. Put it in your calendar.

The tradition started in the 1950s and has become a global event, marked with festivities and a race to get the first bottles to various markets around the world.

The release of Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated around the world, with The wine’s arrival is and is seen often as a preview of the year’s vintage quality.

In France, festivities include music, fireworks and parties, with some people even soaking in wine-filled hot tubs.

In other countries, restaurants might hold special dinners or tastings to mark the occasion. You’ll see the phrase ‘Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé‘ or ‘The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived’ to announce and celebrate the release.

Despite its light and fruity character, Beaujolais Nouveau is taken seriously as a symbol of celebration and the joy of life.

But for the wine, it’s a short life. Drink Beaujolais Nouveau while it’s young and fresh; if you still have it the following May, you might have left it too late.

The Crus of Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau represent important aspects of the Beaujolais wine tradition and the best wine from Beaujolais.

Read Introducing the Wine Regions Of France: Raise A Glass and be In the Know about French wine.