Beaujolais Fine wine

Though often associated with the light, early-drinking style of its ‘Nouveau’ wines, Beaujolais’ viticultural roots run much deeper. Nestled between Burgundy and the Rhône, this is a region with a long and distinctive wine history.

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Beaujolais history

Vines were planted here as early as Roman times, but it was during the Middle Ages that Beaujolais began gaining recognition, particularly through trade along the Saône River. The region is synonymous with the Gamay grape which thrives in Beaujolais’ granite-rich soils, and is known for its red, fruit-forward, juicy notes.  Beaujolais’s top-end wines tend to herald from its 10 crus, among them Brouilly, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent and Morgon. Unlike the simpler Beaujolais Nouveau, many cru wines are made with grapes harvested at lower yields on premium sites, allowing for more structure, tannin, and complexity. Each cru has its own particular soil profile, from granite to schist, which deeply influence style, structure and potential for longevity. So Morgon tends to produce fuller-bodied, age-worthy wines with dark fruit and earthy undertones, while Fleurie is known for its aromatic, silky profile. Today, Beaujolais is a region of serious interest to wine lovers seeking vibrant, food-friendly wines with nuance and ageing potential – offering Burgundian elegance at a far more accessible price point.

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Beaujolais vintages

The longevity of the top Beaujolais wines is often overlooked and underappreciated compared to those of Burgundy and the Rhône. Yet the best vintages showcase Beaujolais' capacity for both early enjoyment and cellar-worthy complexity. And the region has seen several exceptional years recently, with 2023 being one of the most recent, and 2020 previously viewed as the ‘vintage of the decade’ for its ripe, fresh and well-balanced wines. 2019 delivered lively acidity, elegance and spice, whereas 2018 produced rich, dense wines with deep pigmentation and dark fruit aromas. Looking further back, 2015 is renowned for its structure and ageing potential, while 2014 and 2011 stand out for their precision and vibrant fruit.

Popular Beaujolais wine

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Show in Bond Pricing Buying in bond means the wine is stored in a bonded warehouse and no duty or VAT has been paid—ideal for storage or resale. <br>Duty paid means taxes are included and the wine is ready for home delivery and drinking.

2023 Beaujolais-Villages Vieilles Vignes, Jean-Claude Lapalu

2019 Régnié, Guy Breton, Beaujolais

2023 Brouilly Vieilles Vignes, Jean-Claude Lapalu, Beaujolais

2023 Moulin-à-Vent, Vieilles Vignes, Louis Boillot

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Beaujolais wine FAQs

What is the key grape variety of Beaujolais?

Gamay is the red grape variety of Beaujolais, where it excels in the granitic soils. It ripens early and is naturally high in acidity, producing wines that are fresh, vibrant and typically low in tannin. Gamay’s hallmark flavours include red fruits – cherry, raspberry and cranberry – often lifted by floral notes like violet, along with a subtle spice. While often associated with easy-drinking styles (achieved via a technique known as carbonic maceration) Gamay also produces structured, ageworthy wines in the ‘crus’, notably Morgon and Moulin-à-Vent. Its versatility and expressive fruit make it a compelling alternative to Pinot Noir.

What are the Beaujolais Crus?

The Beaujolais Crus are ten appellations in the region’s north, each showcasing a distinct expression of the Gamay grape. They represent the highest quality tier of Beaujolais, and comprise St-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly. While the wines of Beaujolais villages are often enjoyed for their easy and early drinking, cru wines are renowned for their complexity and ability to age well. Among the most renowned, Morgon is known for its depth and ageing potential, and Moulin-à-Vent for producing powerful, structured wines. Others like Chiroubles, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly offer lighter, fruit-driven styles.

Isn’t Beaujolais all cheap?

It’s a common misconception that Beaujolais is all about cheap wines. This view stems largely from Beaujolais Nouveau – an early-release, fruity red made via carbonic maceration and launched each year on the third Thursday of November. While fun and easy drinking, it represents only a small fraction of the region’s output. The true depth of Beaujolais lies in its ten crus, where older vines, diverse soils and serious winemaking produce complex, structured wines. Today, producers craft site-expressive, ageworthy Gamay that can rival some Pinot Noirs coming out of northern Burgundy. Such wines are far from simple, or lacking in quality or ambition.

Beaujolais wine producers

Lay & Wheeler stocks some of the most compelling producers of Beaujolais, including Guy Breton and Jean-Claude Lapalu, both known for their expressive, terroir-driven wines. Breton, renowned for his low-interventionist style and minimal use of sulphur, crafts elegant Morgon wines that emphasise purity and finesse. Lapalu, whose vineyards are situated mainly in Brouilly, is also recognised for his low-intervention practices and vibrant wines that showcase the potential of Gamay. These producers, alongside the likes of Domaine Blain Sœur & Frère and Domaine Louis Boillot, exemplify a commitment to expressing terroir and tradition in the region while embracing more modern techniques.