I have but a brief moment in time here to convince you to stop treating Gamay like a second class citizen grape. I could avoid words like “Beaujolais” and “Nouveau” but then I’d be dissing the illustrious past of a grape that deserves so much more than what it has received of late. Gamay deserves its own emancipation, freedom from bondage – it has suffered long enough and receives nothing but a bad rep – and for what?

Tossed out of Burgundy in 1395 by Duke Philippe the Bold because it was seen as “disloyal” for its “very great and horrible harshness” – truth is it just wasn’t Pinot Noir. The persecution has continued into modern times, and I’m sure you know that ‘Nouveau’ has done nothing to resurrect the grape’s image. But if Nouveau is all you know, it’s time to see the other side of Gamay, the serious side, the honorable side … the wines you just can’t get enough of:

Coquard 2011 Les Ceps dans le Schiste Rouge Morgon ($17.95)

Peppered-cherry a delicious wine to chill for the patio with a nice berry finish.

Domaine des Marrans 2011 Fleurie ($19.95)

Juicy cherry, very appealing and robust has a good finish and nice mouth presence.

Malivoire 2011 Gamay, Courtney ($29.95)

Nice peppered-cherry notes which follow on the palate adding raspberry and definitive white pepper to the mix. Plus a nice juiciness with balancing acidity on the finish.

13th Street 2011 Gamay Noir, Sandstone Reserve ($29.95)

Black cherry, anise, white and black pepper on the nose; palate adds black fruit, cherry, and strawberry.

For more wine suggestions, see our other #WineWednesday posts.