AOC Morgon

History of the Morgon Vineyard

The Morgon appellation, nestled in the heart of Beaujolais on the commune of Villié-Morgon, is one of the oldest and most northern crus of Beaujolais. While vine cultivation in Beaujolais dates back to Roman times, the vineyard truly flourished from the 17th century onwards, thanks to the nobles of Lyon. The global success of nouveau wines, like Beaujolais Nouveau in the 1950s, also contributed to the expansion of the vineyard. However, this trend also caused harm to all the Beaujolais crus, often confused with low-quality Beaujolais Nouveau. Today, the Morgon AOC is one of the most renowned crus of Beaujolais and delights red wine enthusiasts with its complex wines with good aging potential.

Climate and Terroir of the Morgon AOC

• Climate: Like other appellations in Beaujolais, the Morgon AOC benefits from a temperate semi-continental climate. Depending on the relief, Morgon also has numerous microclimates.
• Soils: The terroir of the Morgon AOC consists of a mosaic of soils mainly composed of granite, but also sand, basalt, clay, and schist.

Crus:

The Morgon AOC is divided into six micro-terroirs called "climats," similar to those in Burgundy:

• Morgon Les Charmes: Between 300 m and 450 m altitude, facing southeast on granitic soil, it produces round and aromatic wines.
• Morgon Corcelette: Northwest of the appellation, up to 400 m altitude on granitic soil, this terroir produces fruitier wines.
• Morgon Côte du Py: On the famous Py hill culminating at 350 m with volcanic subsoil (basalt), this unique terroir produces structured wines, suitable for aging, and complex.
• Morgon Douby: Adjacent to the Fleurie AOC, this terroir produces balanced and fruity wines.
• Morgon Grand Cras: On the southern and southeastern foothills of the Côte du Py, this terroir benefits from a soil composed of schist, resulting in full-bodied wines with aromas of kirsch.
• Morgon Les Micouds: Facing the rising sun, it is the smallest and earliest climat. This terroir produces softer and finer AOC Morgon red wines.

Main Grape Variety of the Morgon AOC

The Morgon AOC exclusively produces red wine from the Gamay grape variety.

Gamay is the indispensable red grape variety of the Beaujolais region. It is characterized by its fruity (fresh strawberry, cherry, red currant), floral (peony), and sometimes spicy (pink berries) aromas. Wines made from Gamay are generally supple and enjoyable, but in some Beaujolais crus like Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent, they are more structured, complex, and suitable for aging.

Style of Morgon Wines

• Appearance: In its youth, Morgon AOC reveals a moderately colored ruby robe with violet reflections. After a few years of aging, the wine evolves towards more amber hues.
• Nose: Morgon AOC wine offers enchanting aromas of cherry, kirsch, ripe fruits, and flowers (peony). Over time, the bouquet becomes more complex, developing notes of spices and undergrowth.
• Palate: The palate of Morgon AOC wine is ample, mineral, and full-bodied, recalling the unique notes of the nose, evoking eau-de-vie fruits, plum, and kirsch. These unique taste characteristics and aging potential have led to the creation of a neologism: the verb "morgonner"!
• Serving Temperature: 14°-16°C.
• Aging Potential: 3 to 10 years (or more for a good vintage).

Best Food Pairings with Morgon Wines

Here are some ideas for dishes to accompany a red wine from a domaine in Morgon AOC:

• Veal chops with sautéed mushrooms
• Lyonnaise-style andouillette
• Pheasant terrine
• Spit-roasted or roasted suckling pig
• Raclette (if you don't like white wine)
• Game in sauce
• Beef stew
• Black pudding with apples

On Avenue des Vins, each domaine is carefully selected, and the wines are available for delivery to your home, directly from the estate or château of your choice. Enjoy a wine from AOC Morgon, a red wine from Beaujolais, or from any other region of France, discovering our wines at the best prices directly from the domaine or château!