I was re-watching Star Trek TNG from the beginning (thanks Netflix!) and I wanted a bright, fun red wine to go along with the cheesy first season special effects. I decided to pick up a bottle of Jean Foillard’s Beaujolais-Villages 2016. The Beaujolais region of France sits at the south end of Burgundy and is primarily known for single varietal reds made from the Gamay grape. This region is one of my favorites in that it offers great tasting French wines for a reasonable price. Gamay is similar to Pinot Noir (produced next door in Burgundy), but matures faster on the vine allowing for earlier harvest and a final product that is fruitier and more acidic.
Nerd Alert: Gamay wines are mostly produced through carbonic maceration; whole grapes are fermented in the presence of high levels of carbon dioxide. The juice ferments inside the grapes!
This wine is a pale purple, boarding on red. The aroma is bright and fragrant; lots of fresh cherry and strawberry with some floral notes. In the mouth the wine feels young and light-bodied, silky and smooth. There’s a good amount of fruit up front (cherries, red fruit) with medium high acidity and no tannin. The alcohol level seems to match with the fruit and acid, leading to a balanced refreshing wine that I could drink all day. The finish fades quickly, leaving you wanting more.
Winemaker: Jean Foillard
Wine: Beuojolais-Villages
Year: 2016
Region: Beaujolais, France
Grape: Gamay
Price: $20-$24
Rating: 8/10