Beaujolais French wine appellation guide: location, history, wines, climate & soil
Beaujolais is a historic French wine region and appellation famous for light, juicy, fruity red wines from the Gamay grape, including the world-renowned Beaujolais Nouveau released every November.
More info about Beaujolais
Geographic position
Eastern France, mainly in the Rhône department with a small part in Saône-et-Loire, stretching about 55 km between Mâcon and Lyon, west of the Saône river; the Beaujolais AOC mostly covers the southern part, known as the "Pierres Dorées" (golden stones) country.
Origin & history
The Romans planted vines here, and the region takes its name from the lords of Beaujeu. In 1395 Duke Philip the Bold banned Gamay from Burgundy, so it thrived here instead. The Beaujolais AOC was created in 1937, and the tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau, celebrated on the third Thursday of November, became a worldwide phenomenon from the 1970s.
Wines & grape varieties
Mostly red from 100% Gamay Noir, often made by semi-carbonic maceration, with strawberry, raspberry, cherry and banana notes and soft tannins; also some rosé and white from Chardonnay.
Climate & soil
Semi-continental climate. Clay-limestone and golden limestone soils in the south, granite in the north.
Wine region: Beaujolais
Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Gamay