Beaujolais spans a large area, stretching from south of Mâcon to just north of Lyon, with 13,500 hectares of vines planted predominantly with Gamay (97%). The region’s regional AOCs (a collection of villages within one appelation) are generally concentrated in the southern vineyards, while the communal AOCs (village specific appelations) are located in the northern part of the Beaujolais region. The French wine region of Beaujolais has long been considered part of Burgundy, but today it charts its own course. SHOP OUR BEAUJOLAIS WINE SELECTION Beaujolais AOCThe AOC Beaujolais is a regional appellation whose production zone covers all 72 communes of the Beaujolais vineyards, making it the largest of the Beaujolais AOCs. Beaujolais AOC are easy to drink with a refreshing acidity and low tannin. You’ll find wines that are bright and fruity, showing notes of raspberry, cherry, and cranberry, and sometimes a hint of tropical banana, a characteristic that comes from the carbonic maceration winemaking method. Beaujolais Villages AOCMoving up the scale, we find the 38 official Beaujolais Villages wines, with 30 of these village names permitted on the label. These wines show greater depth and intensity, both in color and character. Many of the villages sit on granite or schist soils, lending a distinctive mineral edge to the wines. While most are red, offering vibrant notes of strawberry and blackcurrant, the whites are equally charming — fresh and expressive, with hints of pear, tropical fruit, and blanched almond. Beaujolais CrusThe crème de la crème of Beaujolais! There are 10 Crus of Beaujolais, each producing only red wines. Their labels typically feature just the name of the Cru. Each Cru expresses its own distinct personality, shaped by a unique terroir (combinations of climate, soil, altitude, and exposure), found nowhere else in the region. These wines show greater complexity and structure and are renowned for their ability to age beautifully. 1. Saint-Amour Named after Julius Caesar, these ancient Roman vineyards are rooted in granite, volcanic, and clay soils, which give the wines their power, structure, and impressive aging potential. Floral and fruity on the nose, they often show aromas of strawberry, peach, violet, and a touch of spicy cinnamon. On the palate, the wines are fuller-bodied and well-structured, with depth and the ability to age gracefully. 3. Chénas Dubbed “The King of Beaujolais,” Moulin-à-Vent produces the most tannic and full-bodied wines of all the Crus. In their youth, they show vibrant notes of plum, cherry, and violet, but with age — often up to ten years or more — they develop a more Pinot-like character, revealing layers of dried fruit, truffle, spice, and earthy complexity. This Cru takes its name from the historic windmill (moulin à vent) that overlooks the vineyards. Known for their robust structure and longevity, the wines often see a touch of oak aging, contributing to their depth and refinement. 5. Fleurie Chiroubles is a favourite for those who enjoy the lighter, more delicate side of Beaujolais. As the coolest of the Crus and the last to begin harvest each year, it produces wines that are refined, silky, and elegant. Perfumed aromas of peach and raspberry mingle with hints of lily of the valley and gentle baking spices. Its higher altitude and cooler climate give the wines lively brightness and charm, making them particularly successful — and irresistible — in warmer vintages. 7. Morgon Régnié is the newest of the Beaujolais Crus, producing bright, aromatic wines best enjoyed in their youth. Grown on hillside vineyards, they burst with vibrant notes of peach, cherry, blackcurrant, and raspberry. Light, mineral, and easy to drink, Régnié reflects a modern, youthful spirit — and is home to a growing number of organic vineyards and winemakers. 9. Côte de Brouilly Brouilly, the largest and most southerly of the Beaujolais Crus, takes its name from Brulius, a Roman lieutenant stationed in the area nearly 2,000 years ago. With its slightly warmer, more Mediterranean climate and diverse soils, Brouilly produces expressive, fruit-driven wines with a floral edge. This was one of the first Beaujolais appellations to sell its wines to the Parisian market, as early as 1769, helping establish its enduring reputation. The wines are generous and approachable, showing aromas of jammy plum, strawberry, red currant, and peach — best enjoyed young for their vibrant charm. SHOP OUR BEAUJOLAIS WINE SELECTION