“Le Beaujolais nouveau est arriveé!” The strike of
midnight on the third Thursday of each November marks the annual official
release of Beaujolais nouveau, but beyond those rush-to-market bottles, the
Beaujolais region is home to a growing number of winemakers producing tiptop
wines from the Gamay grape—here are five we’ll happily sip any time of year.
Jean-Paul Brun FRV 100
Bubbly Beaujolais? Why not! This sparkling Gamay is
an ideal bottle for brunch with fresh berry flavors, creamy effervescence and
just a kiss of sweetness.
$22,
astorwines.com
Jean-Paul Thévenet Morgon Vielles Vignes 2012
Often considered one of the founding fathers of
modern-day Beaujolais, Jean-Paul Thévenet is among the most respected
winemakers of the region. Farmed biodynamically in the Morgon cru, this bottle
offers up concentrated flavors of dark cherries and plums met by a flinty
minerality on the finish.
$30,
klwines.com
Stephane Aviron Beaujolais Village 2011
This old-vine Gamay from naturally minded Stephane balances
approachability and structure with a fruit-forward finesse and wallet-friendly
price.
$14,
coolvines.com
Clos de la Roilette Fleurie 2011
Hailing from the Fleurie appellation within
Beaujolais, this Gamay intermingles notes of fresh-cut flowers and dried herbs
with its fruity freshness.
$20,
astorwines.com
Potel-Aviron Beaujolais-Villages 2010
Gamay shines in all its straight-forward and
easy-drinking glory in this bottle. Expect food-friendly flavors of ripe
strawberries, a touch of vanilla and cracked pepper spice.
$11,
klwines.com