Beaujolais: wine region, grapes, cru appellations and styles

The hills between Mâcon and Lyon show that Beaujolais is more than just young wine.

What does Beaujolais include as a wine region?

In this dossier, Beaujolais refers to the demarcated wine region running from south of Mâcon to north of Lyon. It encompasses twelve official appellations: Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages, and ten cru appellations.^[1] The canonical demarcation follows wine-law boundaries rather than the historical region or the current administrative region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.^[2]

Legally, Beaujolais is not a single appellation with one recognition year, but a collective of twelve AOCs/AOPs. The first five cru appellations were recognized in 1936; Beaujolais followed in 1937 and Beaujolais Villages in 1950.^[3] Régnié was the last of the twelve to be recognized, in 1988.^[4]

How are the twelve official appellations structured?

Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages

The broad Beaujolais appellation is primarily located in the southern and central parts of the region and can produce red, rosé, and white still wines.^[5] Beaujolais Villages comprises 38 communes, mainly on hills in the north. The vineyards there are generally situated at higher altitudes and more frequently on soils of granitic origin.^[6]

The ten cru appellations

From north to south, the ten cru appellations are Saint-Amour, Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié, Brouilly, and Côte de Brouilly. Each cru bears the name of its own official appellation; therefore, 'Beaujolais' does not always appear on the label.^[7]

Beaujolais by the numbers

In 2024, 11,771 hectares of vineyard were declared as AOC across the twelve Beaujolais AOCs, spread over 85 communes.^[8] In the same year, the twelve appellations produced nearly 463,350 hectoliters, which the source equates to nearly 62 million 0.75-liter bottles. The official count includes 2,000 wine estates and trading houses combined, as well as nine cooperative wineries; estates and trading houses are not listed separately.^[9]

The vineyards stretch for approximately 55 kilometers from south to north.^[10]

Which grapes and wine styles are associated with Beaujolais?

In the official 2024 grape distribution, Gamay noir à jus blanc, a black grape with colorless juice, accounts for 96% of plantings; Chardonnay accounts for the remaining 4%.^[11] Gamay defines the red and rosé wines, while Chardonnay is used for white Beaujolais. The style ranges from light, juicy, and immediately drinkable to more powerful, spicy, and better suited for aging.

Young wine, designated as Nouveau or Primeur, may only be released under the Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages appellations. The release takes place on the third Thursday of November following the harvest.^{[12] [13]}

Why do the north and south differ?

Beaujolais has a moderate climate with continental, oceanic, and Mediterranean influences. Topography and the föhn effect create local differences.^[14] Clay and limestone are more common in the south. Further north, sandy soils of granitic origin dominate. The region is geologically much more complex than this main line: large-scale research into soil, location, and microclimate, involving thousands of drillings and hundreds of soil profiles, has mapped a fine mosaic of subsoils.^{[15] [16]}

How is Beaujolais traditionally made?

The characteristic method is semi-carbonic maceration using whole bunches. Grapes at the bottom of the tank burst and begin to ferment, while in intact berries higher up in the tank, intracellular fermentation begins. Producers manage duration, temperature, pressing, and potential oak aging differently, resulting in varying ratios of fresh fruit and structure.^[17]

How to choose a Beaujolais wine

• Choose Beaujolais for a generally light, fruity style that is accessible young.
• Choose Beaujolais Villages for more concentration without losing its supple character.
• Look for a cru appellation if you are seeking a more distinct provenance profile and often more structure.
• Serve light red Beaujolais lightly chilled; allow more powerful cru wines to breathe and serve in a large glass.

Below this dossier are exactly five available Beaujolais wines, in the current best-selling order of the collection.