Shop Notes No. 2 A Love Letter to Beaujolais

Like a first love, every wine drinker carries a grape with them; the one that made wine feel approachable, and worth learning about. For us, that grape is Gamay, and more often than not, it comes from the French region of Beaujolais. 

Gamay for us is a wine that can be drank on a Tuesday or at a dinner party; drank on a hot summer day with a bit of chill on the bottle(obvi), or in winter next to a roaring fire at the cottage. It's a tremendously versatile grape. In Beaujolais, red cherries meet raspberries and cranberries with gentle tannins, lively acidity, and enough structure to keep everything moving forward. In most wines, you'll find nuanced floral notes and a bit of earthiness that keeps you coming back for another sip. 

Historically, Beaujolais has lived in Burgundy’s shadow. Its proximity—and the dominance of Pinot Noir to the north—meant the region was often dismissed as simpler or less serious. But that reputation says more about perception than reality. When Gamay is grown thoughtfully and tied closely to place, as it is in Beaujolais, the results are wines with depth, nuance, and unmistakable character.

There are three levels of hierarchy in the region, with Beaujolais AOC(Appellation d'origine contrôlée) being the largest, entry level category, Beaujolais Villages being a step up from that, with 38 specialized villages, and of course Cru Beaujolais, the top 10 villages in the north for producing Beaujolais wines. 

One of our perennial favourites is Fleurie. Known for its elegance and aromatics, Fleurie often leans floral—violet, rose petal—layered over silky red fruit and a soft, refined structure. It’s Gamay at its most graceful.

Other crus we’re always drawn to:

• Morgan – deeper, more structured, with an earthy, age-worthy side

• Chiroubles – lifted, delicate, and incredibly fresh

• Brouilly – juicy, approachable, and endlessly versatile

Together, they show just how much range Gamay has when it’s grown in the right place.

Beaujolais loves a moment to chill, as we all do, and should be served after it's been in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes. It's a perfect pairing for a grilled chicken dish, cedar plank salmon, mushrooms, charcuterie, roasted vegetables, or just a low key pizza date night with your loved ones. 

Beaujolais will always have a place at Ripy & Vine, because it is in no small part a reason why we decided to open the store, to bring wines and snacks that we love to the community that we love in Stratford. If you have any questions about Beaujolais or any of our wines, we would love to see you in the store. 

Cheers,

Shane & Matt 🍷