Beaujolais wines: what you need to know to choose and enjoy them

Follow the guide and discover everything you need to know about Beaujolais wines and estates.

While Beaujolais wines are often associated with the Beaujolais Nouveau primeur wine, this wine region also offers a variety of crus and appellations to explore.

The Beaujolais Vineyard

The Beaujolais vineyard stretches from the south of Burgundy to the north of the Rhône Valley, benefiting from a rich and unique terroir. Due to exceptional climatic conditions, vines have been cultivated in the Beaujolais region since Roman times. The main grape varieties grown here are Chardonnay for white wines and Gamay for red wines. Beaujolais produces highly appreciated primeur wines such as Beaujolais Nouveau. Additionally, about ten recognized crus are cultivated in this region, offering great wine cuvées that combine complexity and quality.

The Beaujolais vineyard covers a total area of 22,000 hectares, located between Saône-et-Loire and Rhône. This vineyard benefits from an exceptional location at the crossroads of three different climates: continental in winter, oceanic in the interseason, and Mediterranean in summer.

The Different Crus of Beaujolais

While the Beaujolais region is globally renowned for its primeur wine, there are also many high-quality crus produced in this terroir. The Beaujolais vineyard is almost exclusively planted with Gamay. This grape variety produces fruity and light wines. There are three main appellations in the vineyard: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Supérieur, and Beaujolais-Villages. The Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages appellations can be used for red, rosé, or white wine cuvées. The other appellations are reserved for red wine.

Some appellations, known as Cru du Beaujolais, also contribute to the vineyard's reputation and are among the best wines of Beaujolais: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte-de-Brouilly. The Beaujolais region offers high-quality wines and cuvées at affordable prices. These wines are highly appreciated in the small bouchons of Lyon, which have made their reputation as pleasure wines.

On Avenue des Vins, you will find our complete selection of wines from the Beaujolais vineyard: white wine, red wine, and rosé wine. We also offer cuvées from the best appellations in France and renowned vineyards: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône Valley, Loire, Alsace, Languedoc-Roussillon. Quickly discover the wine, estate, cuvée, château, or appellation that will delight your taste buds.

FAQ - Beaujolais wines

What are the crus of Beaujolais?

The vineyard has ten recognised crus: Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côte-de-Brouilly. These appellations are reserved for red wine and rank among the region's most refined.

Which grape variety makes Beaujolais wines?

The vineyard is planted almost exclusively with gamay, which gives fruity, light red wines. Chardonnay is used for the region's white wines.

What are the appellations of Beaujolais?

There are three main appellations: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Supérieur and Beaujolais-Villages. The Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages appellations can produce red, rosé or white wine, while the crus are reserved for red.

What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

Beaujolais Nouveau is the primeur wine that made the region famous worldwide. Made from gamay, it is a young, fruity wine enjoyed for its easy-drinking character as soon as the vintage is released.

Where is the Beaujolais vineyard located?

The vineyard covers around 22,000 hectares, stretching from the south of Burgundy to the north of the Rhône Valley, between Saône-et-Loire and Rhône. It enjoys a unique terroir where three climates meet: continental, oceanic and Mediterranean.