The perfect wine to chill: The 7 of the best Beaujolais
OUR EXPERT raises a glass to the return of that old favourite, Beaujolais.
Pick your favourite from our expert's selection of Beaujolais
Beaujolais is back. It was fashionable in the 1970s and 80s, but lost its way a bit.
Now, though, it seems that people are rediscovering just how much pleasure these lighter red wines can be. They are made from the gamay grape variety in a region in the south of Burgundy, and the good ones manage to combine joyful, bright cherry and raspberry fruit with an appealing texture, plus just a hint of complexity. They are wines to chill and carafe, and they’re perfect for sunny days.
Beaujolais wines are made from the gamay grape variety in a region in the south of Burgundy
From left:
Aldi The Exquisite Collection Fleurie 2014, Beaujolais, France £6.49, Aldi, 12.5% alcohol
Juicy, bright and berry-ish, this is a supple, lighter-style red showing off gamay’s refreshing, thirst-quenching qualities very well. It’s bottled fun.
Tesco Beaujolais NV, France £4.49, Tesco, 12.5% alcohol
This is absurdly cheap for what is very drinkable wine. It’s bright and fruity with delicious cherry and raspberry fruit, along with a slightly grainy texture.
Domaine des Pierres Saint Amour 2013, Beaujolais, France £12.95, tanners-wines.co.uk (01743 234455), 13% alcohol
This is very fresh with moreish raspberry and cherry fruit, as well as good acidity and a tasty savoury character. It’s a serious example of Beaujolais.
Georges Duboeuf Fleurie 2013, Beaujolais, France £9.75, Sainsbury’s, 13% alcohol
With fresh red cherries and juicy raspberries, this is a bright, fruity expression of the gamay grape with an added peppery, herby twist.
These wines combine joyful, bright cherry and raspberry fruit with an appealing texture
From left:
Trenel Côte de Brouilly 2013, Beaujolais, France £9.95, thewinesociety.com (01438 741177), 13% alcohol
Supple, bright and juicy with a bit of sweetness to the appealing cherry and raspberry fruit, this is pleasantly balanced. It’s juicy and focused, with a touch of herbiness.
La Forêt Beaujolais 2013, France £7.99, Waitrose, 12% alcohol
From gamay planted rather unusually on limestone soils, this is juicy and ripe with a hint of bubblegum under the cherry fruit. It’s pure and refreshing with nice acidity.
Château de Chénas Moulin-à-Vent 2013, Beaujolais, France £11.99, Waitrose, 12% alcohol
Juicy, bright and fruity, this is bursting with tasty cherry and plum fruit with freshness and focus. It’s fruity and highly drinkable.