Embark on a Beaujolais wine travel adventure and explore the exquisite flavors and scenic vineyards of one of France’s most captivating regions.
By Jamie Knee
Beaujolais remains one of France’s most delightful wine regions, yet she often sits quietly between two glamorous neighbors, Burgundy and the Rhône Valley. As a global wine travel writer, I always encourage wine lovers to pause here. This compact region produces enchanting, fruit forward red wines that express personality, elegance, and unmistakable charm.
The 10 Beaujolais Crus
The crème de la crème of Beaujolais
Beaujolais features ten distinct Crus, all located in the northern part of the region and devoted exclusively to red wine production. Most labels proudly display only the name of the Cru, signaling its origin with confidence.
Each Beaujolais Cru expresses its own personality. Climate, soil composition, altitude, vineyard exposure, and local tradition shape every wine in ways no other place can replicate. As a result, these wines offer greater complexity and, notably, the ability to age beautifully.
More French Wine Travel in Loire Valley https://petitewinetraveler.com/vouvray-wine-travel/
1. Saint-Amour
The perfect Valentine’s Day wine.
Saint-Amour borders the Mâconnais in Burgundy and includes twelve recognized climats, or vineyard plots, that may appear on the label. Look for names such as Les Champs Grillés, En Paradis, Les Bonnets, or Le Mas des Tines.
Winemakers in Saint-Amour craft two primary styles. One delivers a light, floral, fruit driven expression with notes of violet and peach. The other produces a richer, spicier wine that develops Pinot Noir like character as it ages.
2. Juliénas
Named after Julius Caesar, Juliénas draws its strength from ancient Roman vineyard sites planted on granite, volcanic, and clay soils. These conditions give the wines power, structure, and excellent aging potential.
On the nose, Juliénas offers floral and fruit driven aromas, often showcasing strawberry, peach, violet, and warm spice like cinnamon.
3. Chénas
Chénas stands as the smallest and rarest of the Beaujolais Crus. Its name reflects the ancient oak forests that once covered the hillsides. Roman settlers and later monastic communities recognized the land’s potential for viticulture and cleared the forests to plant vines. Eventually, King Philip V ordered the complete removal of trees to make way for vineyards.
Today, Chénas wines often show a subtle woodsy character. More importantly, they reveal elegant floral notes of rose and iris, supported by silky tannins. Locals affectionately call them “a bouquet of flowers in a velvet basket.”
4. Moulin-à-Vent
Growers cultivate Moulin-à-Vent vineyards on decomposed pink granite and flaky quartz, which gives the wines their deep ruby to garnet color, firm structure, and impressive complexity. These wines stand as the most tannic and full bodied among the Crus.
In youth, expect flavors of plum, cherry, and violet. With patience, aging up to ten years rewards drinkers with dried fruit, earthy truffle, savory meat, and spice reminiscent of Burgundian Pinot Noir.
Tip: Moulin-à-Vent takes its name from a historic windmill that still stands in the vineyards.
5. Fleurie
This is “The Queen of Beaujolais.” Vineyards in Fleurie rise along steep slopes at higher altitudes near La Madone, creating wines known for finesse and perfume.
Fleurie wines lean lighter in body and highly aromatic, offering a graceful, feminine profile. Expect rose, iris, violet, ripe red fruits, and hints of peach. For newcomers to Beaujolais, Fleurie offers a beautiful starting point and remains a personal favorite.
6. Chiroubles
Chiroubles appeals to those who love the lighter, more delicate side of Beaujolais. Growers plant vines at the highest elevations in the region, making this the coolest Cru and the last to harvest each year.
These wines deliver refinement and elegance, with aromas of peach and raspberry layered with lily of the valley and gentle baking spice.
Tip: Early growers drilled holes directly into the granite bedrock to plant vines, a testament to their determination.
7. Morgon
Morgon ranks as the second largest Cru and includes six climats, each offering subtle stylistic variation. What unites them is decomposed schist soil known as roches pourries, or “rotted rocks,” which locals credit for Morgon’s signature ripe cherry aromas.
These wines reward aging for five to ten years. Over time, youthful flavors of peach, apricot, cherry, and plum evolve into earthy, Burgundian Pinot Noir-like expressions.
8. Régnié
Pronounced “rehn-yay,” it is the newest Cru of Beaujolais.Régnié holds the title of Beaujolais’ newest Cru. Hillside vineyards here produce wines that shine in their youth, bursting with peach, cherry, black currant, and raspberry aromas.
Notably, this Cru leads the region in organic vineyards and forward thinking winemakers, giving it a dynamic, up and coming reputation.
9. Côte de Brouilly
Known as the “Elegant Wine on the Hill,” here you will find vineyards planted on the volcanic slopes of Mount Brouilly, giving the wines a unique flavor and delicate minerality.
Look for easy drinking wines that have the aromas of fresh grape juice and cranberries, a silky mouthfeel and tons of bright, refreshing acidity.
10. Brouilly
Mount Brouilly is named after Brulius, a famous Roman lieutenant stationed in the area some 2000 years ago.
This is the most southern of all the Cru and just a little bit more Mediterranean with slightly warmer temperatures.
As well as being the largest Cru, it was also one of the original areas allowed to sell its wines to the Parisian market as far back as 1769, making Brouilly one of the most known areas in Beaujolais.
The soil here is unique: a blue/black volcanic rock called Diorite that is known as cornes vertes or “green horns.”
This unique terroir lends an exuberance to the wine’s fruity aromas of jammy plum and strawberry, red currants, and peach. It is meant to be enjoyed young.
Beaujolais has so many different facets, and with the different styles, you are sure to find one that will tickle your fancy. Beaujolais is the classy elegant wine and fun wine that doesn’t take herself too serious!
