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)

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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TLuchese wrote in the forum topic: Seafood and Red Wine

November 2009

TLuchese

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 Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 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 Woodthorpe Gamay Noir 2008

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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Winebork reviewed Louis Jadot Beaujolais Rose Screw Cap 2007:

November 2009

Winebork

Basically what one would expect from an inexpensive generic Beaujolais. Totally quaffable, especially slightly chilled, and certainly preferable to sweet or heavy plonk you can buy in the same price range. Quite acceptable...

Louis Jadot Beaujolais Rose Screw Cap 2007

Starting at $11^.99 Snoothrank: 2/5

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tabednar reviewed Mommessin Morgon Cote du Py 2005:

October 2009

tabednar

Red-Purple plum color. Distinct aroma of raspberry and blackberry. Light to medium bodies with young tannins and a bit of spiciness. Acidity lingers through the finish and leaves you with a dry mouth. A little unrefined...

Mommessin Morgon Cote du Py 2005

Starting at $21^.75 Snoothrank: 3/5

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jeffmacintyre reviewed Potel-Aviron Moulin-A-Vent 2005:

October 2009

jeffmacintyre

Potel-Aviron Moulin-A-Vent 2005

Starting at $23^.99 Snoothrank: 2.5/5

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tempest reviewed Mas Haut-Buis "Les Carlines" Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge 2007:

October 2009

tempest

Cassis, cedar, cigar box & slight vanilla on the nose. Medium bodied but mouthfull once settled and tannins are in good balance, short to medium finish on the palate. Develops into sweet spice, dark chocolate, plum and...

Mas Haut-Buis "Les Carlines" Coteaux du Languedoc Rouge 2007

Starting at $21^.00 Snoothrank: 3/5

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IHEARTWINES reviewed Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages 2006:

October 2009

IHEARTWINES

bright strawberry :D

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages 2006

Starting at $9^.59 Snoothrank: 3/5

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Jessi H reviewed Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly 2006:

October 2009

Jessi H

earthy, mushroomy, funky and yummy.

Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly 2006

Starting at $22^.99 Snoothrank: 3.5/5

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