Gamay

Gamay photos, charts, maps, and wines.

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(aka. Gamay, Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc)

Gamay is an ancient variety that has long been denied a place in the court of noble varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. In North America the vine is rarely treated with esteem and can read more...only be found intermittently across the continent. The exception is Ontario, where Gamay thrives in the Niagara Peninsula and Pelee Island DVAs. The best Ontario Gamays, often labeled as ‘Reserve’, have a structure similar to Cru Beaujolais. In France Gamay has long been under appreciated. Even in Burgundy where it originates, Gamy has historically been recognized as being superior in quantity, but much lacking in quality, relative to the region’s other red grape, the noble Pinot Noir. In fact, as far back as the fourteenth century, the Duke of Burgundy, Philippe le Hardi (Philip the Bold), in his ordinance of 1395 banished the “disloyal plant” from Cote d’Or vineyards. More recently, with the introduction of AOC regulations in 1935, Gamay’s ‘legal’ territory in its Burgundy homeland was restricted, confining the grape to the region’s southern most districts of Macon and Beaujolais. The lack of respect afforded to Gamay is not surprising, considering the character of its wine. In the Beaujolais region Gamay most often produces fruity unpretentious wines intended for early consumption. This is exacerbated by the Beaujolais tendency to encourage its most fruit forward disposition with a style of fermentation known as Carbonic Maceration. Apart from a scattering in the central Loire and in the Jura, Gamay in France is almost entirely contained within its Beaujolais homeland. However, the variety still ranks in the top ten most planted red varieties in France. Not withstanding, Gamay does enjoy a vast international market, and it is surprising that the grape has not migrated to more vineyards abroad. However, its traditional fermentation method, carbonic maceration, has been adopted by wine regions far and wide, using a range of local grapes to achieve wines with similarly intense, youthful berry fruitiness, in a soft and easy style. Given a more standard red wine fermentation, Gamay can produce more serious wines. The best examples come from ten small ‘Cru’ villages in the Beaujolais hills, particularly those from the commune of Moulin-a-Vent. The wines made here often can age in the medium term, gaining mature Pinot Noir-like qualities.

Many a place, they plant Gamay.
Especially in France at Beaujolais.
Where they have a fascination,
with carbonic maceration,
and wine that’s softer than Cabernet.

They make a wine, they call Nouveau.
It's purple and pink like lilies of Van Gogh.
On the third Thursday of November,
they merrily go on a bender,
until passing out on the steps of the chateau.

Gamay’s a wine to pair with every meal.
With chicken or fish, or a nice piece of veal.
Some say it’s oh so fruity,
and it’s sure a thing of beauty.
But drink it when young for greatest appeal.

France’s Gamay has crossed the sea.
And it’s as good over here, I guarantee.
It’s eagerly drunk round the nation.
Oh that whole grape fermentation.
Give me Gamay for lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea!    (hide)

jmd477 reviewed Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2008:

November 2009

jmd477

This is a pleasant and affordable Beaujolais. My biggest gripe with the grape is that it seemed a touch to watered-down for my taste. Perhaps I made the mistake of pairing this wine with a New York Strip. Next time I'll...

Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2008

Starting at $9^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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lauderdale lush reviewed Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2006:

November 2009

lauderdale lush

8.99 at walmart most of the time... to me, one of the top reds for under 10. light and very tasty

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages 2006

Starting at $8^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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Foxall wrote in the forum topic: Best Recommendations for Thanksgiving Wine

November 2009

Foxall

I brought J. Lohr California "Gamay" a few years back and it was great with the bird. I suspect the real grape is Valdiguie, which, if you could find it, would go great. Pinot, lighter Syrahs, a nice Ribeira del Douro, a...

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akodudoka reviewed Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Flower Label 2003:

November 2009

akodudoka

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Flower Label 2003

Starting at $9^.00 Snoothrank: 3/5

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jrdixon reviewed Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2008:

November 2009

jrdixon

Louis Jadot Beaujolais 2008

Starting at $9^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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VegasOenophile reviewed King Estate Pinot Noir Oregon 2007:

November 2009

VegasOenophile

At first, it has a very gamay-like nose, which made me think it wouldn't be a well balanced pinot, but on the palate, it's a great pinot! Nice peppery character with all the delicious strawberry and other pinot-fruits,...

King Estate Pinot Noir Oregon 2007

Starting at $26^.95 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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vks wrote in the forum topic: wines of Slovenia

November 2009

vks

Some more special Slovenian (Slovene) wine in the USA: Batičs' Cabernet Franc ... for dishes with truffles. Gamay by Graben Šekoranja - a very fruity Gamay with adistinct aroma of blueberries Santomas cellars'...

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TL NJ wrote in the forum topic: Seafood and Red Wine

November 2009

TL NJ

Dmckr - the shellfish is so hard to pair with reds, it just seems to go so ... on the "bold" scale than a gamay, but still a bit lighter than some of the pinots and barberas. It is one of my favorite reds to pair with...

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harimanjaro reviewed Te Mata Estate Gamay Noir Woodthorpe Vineyard 2008:

November 2009

harimanjaro

Fruity and light, easy drinking. There was a hint of bottle taint on mine, but that disappeared after leaving it to breathe. Very enjoyable.

Te Mata Estate Gamay Noir Woodthorpe Vineyard 2008

Starting at $17^.29 Snoothrank: 3/5

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dmcker wrote in the forum topic: Swiss wine- I know nothing!

November 2009

dmcker

Vineyards in Switzerland are mostly quite small, even compared to Burgundy, and ... humagne rouge, as well as gamay, syrah and pinot gris, also better known further down the river. Other cantons that produce large volumes...

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