Beaujolais Wine — Buy Online in Ireland
Beaujolais is one of France's most misunderstood and underestimated wine regions. Famous — or perhaps infamous — for Beaujolais Nouveau, the region's real heart lies in its ten crus: ten villages at the northern end of the appellation that produce wines of real character, depth and aging potential from the Gamay grape on distinctive granite and schist soils. Wines like Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon and Chénas can rival Burgundy Pinot Noir in complexity and longevity at a fraction of the price. At Wines Direct, we are passionate advocates for serious Beaujolais — the wines of growers who respect their terroir and their vines.
About Beaujolais
Beaujolais stretches from Mâcon in the north to Lyon in the south, covering around 19,500 hectares of vines on the western slopes of the Saône plain. The southern half — Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages — sits on fertile clay-limestone soils and produces the light, fruity style associated with Nouveau. The northern ten crus, however, are planted on volcanic granite and schist soils that give the wines a mineral character and structural complexity entirely different from the simple south. The ten crus — Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly and Côte de Brouilly — each have their own distinct personality. Morgon is the most structured and age-worthy; Fleurie is the most elegant and perfumed; Moulin-à-Vent the most powerful and Burgundy-like.
Flavour Profile & Style
Gamay from Beaujolais produces wines of extraordinary range. At the simple end: bright, juicy, refreshing — red cherry, raspberry, violets and a slight peppery quality. From the granite crus, it gets dramatically more interesting: earthy, mineral, complex, with dark fruit, dried flowers, smoke and a distinctive kirsch quality. Cru Beaujolais aged 5–10 years can be mistaken for Burgundy Pinot Noir in a blind tasting. All Beaujolais is naturally low in tannin and benefits from a slight chill — 14–16°C is ideal.
Food Pairings
Beaujolais is one of France's great food wines. Its low tannin and vibrant acidity make it supremely versatile: charcuterie boards, roast chicken, pork dishes, rabbit stew. Cru Beaujolais is magnificent alongside Irish lamb, duck or a quality burger. The slight chill requirement makes it the perfect summer garden wine and an excellent companion for an outdoor Irish barbecue.
Why Buy Beaujolais from Wines Direct?
We select our Beaujolais from producers like Jean-Paul Brun who represent the very best of serious, artisan winemaking in the region. Free delivery across Ireland on orders over €150.
