Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

Uva Non Grata Gamay

2021

Gorgeous Gamay from France, but not Beaujolais!

Uva Non Grata - meaning unwelcome grape - is a reference to when Gamay was outlawed by Philip the Bold in Burgundy in 1395. Some vignerons rebelled, hiding forbidden Gamay vines amongst ‘noble’ Pinot Noir. So here is the deliberately disruptive Gamay, bottled without appellation – it’s a Vin de France - and without rules!

Gamay loves the granite/siliceous soils of the vineyards in the hills to the northwest of Lyon in eastern France. Grapes were handpicked deliberately early to maintain freshness. In the cellar, they are vinified using traditional carbonic maceration techniques (where fermentation is started by the weight of berries in the vat, crushing those below) followed by a short cuvasion – where the wine is left in contact with skins and pulp, to help maintain the up front, juicy fruit character.

A prime example of a bouncy, crunchy Gamay that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Packed full of fresh red berry flavours, it’s soft, juicy and slips down far too easily! Great value Gamay at its best.

Details

More Information
Wine Type	Red wine
Closure	Screw Cap
Alc. Vol	12.5%
Country	France
Grape Varietal	Gamay
Food Pairings	Chicken, Barbecued Meats, Sausages, Charcuterie

Tivoli Wine Customer Reviews

Write Your Own Review

Only registered users can write reviews. Please Sign in or create an account

France

France – the home of Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne – is arguably the world's most important wine-producing country. For centuries, it has produced wine in greater quantity – and many would say quality – than any other nation, and its attraction is not just volume or prestige, but also the variety of styles available.

The diversity of French wine is due, in part, to the country's wide range of climates. Champagne, its most northerly region, has one of the coolest climates, whereas Bordeaux has a maritime climate, heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and the various rivers that wind their way between vineyards. Both in stark contrast to the southern regions of Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon, which enjoy a Mediterranean climate, characterized by hot summers and mild winters.

Terroir is also key. From the granite hills of Beaujolais to the famous chalky slopes of Chablis and the gravels of the Médoc, the sites and soils on which France's vineyards have been developed are considered of vital importance and are at the heart of the concept of terroir.

Gamay

The Gamay grape produces a light-bodied red wine that’s similar in taste to Pinot Noir. In fact, this variety is a cousin of Pinot Noir and it grows primarily next to Burgundy, France (the motherland of Pinot) in a region called Beaujolais. Beaujolais produces 75% of the world’s Gamay, but you’ll also find fine examples from Canada, Switzerland, Oregon and New Zealand.

Gamay wines are loved for their flouncy floral aromas, subtle earthy notes, and surprising ability to pair with food (thanks to having low tannins). Expect flavours of red plum, raspberry and red cherry, with high levels of acidity.

Most Gamay should be enjoyed young (and sometimes lightly chilled) to make the most of its freshness, although some excellent examples from villages or crus in Beaujolais can age in a bottle for several years.