Burgundy - Grape Varieties - Gamay and Chadonnay

Gamay Noir 

Gamay Noir is early budding, making it susceptible to spring frost. As stated, it is vulnerableto millerandage in cold, damp and windy conditions, which can reduce yields. Its thin, delicateskin, is vulnerable to rot and, as stated, to wind. It is early ripening, and can usually be pickedbefore autumn rains arrive.

Gamay winesin Beaujolais express different nuances depending on the topography and soil of the site,giving wines of varying levels of tannins and fruitiness. The difference mainly relates to theripeness of the grapes, including skins and seeds. Grapes grown on slopes with very gooddrainage, sites with very good sunlight interception and warm granite soils can create intensefruit character compared to the green leafy character often seen in less-ripe examples. 

Gamay is a productive grape and yields need to be controlled for it to produceconcentrated, ripe grapes. Reducing the number of buds helps to restrain the high fertility ofthe Gamay variety.Traditionally vines were trained as bushes (giving some protection from the wind) andthis is still the case on the steeper slopes. 

However, increasingly and where possible, vinesare trained on trellises to aid mechanisation, especially where the aim is to make inexpensivewines. Most Gamay grapes are picked by hand because whole bunches are required for themost common form of winemaking in the region. 

Chardonnay 

Chardonnay is usually found in area in the north of Beaujolais bordering the Mâcon Villagesappellation. It does best on cooler marl or limestone soils that slow down ripening, preservingacidity.There is a lively interest in sustainable and organic viticulture in the region and the associationTerra Vitis®, now with associations in other French regions, was founded in Beaujolais.