En amoureux in Beaujolais

We had a few weeks of solo time, and a weekend getaway to the Beaujolais wine region felt like the perfect escape without the kids.

Nestled just north of Lyon, Beaujolais is renowned for its eponymous French AOC wine. While it officially falls under the Burgundy wine region, Beaujolais sets itself apart with its distinct climate, grape varieties, and rich history. In recent years, the region and its wines have gained popularity, emerging from the shadow of Burgundy to capture the attention of wine enthusiasts.

Villefranche-sur-Saône

Our journey began in Villefranche-sur-Saône, the capital of the region. We explored a lively indoor market where we picked up everything needed for the perfect picnic: creamy goat cheese, fresh vegetables, and some local specialties with names that sounded far too fancy to pronounce - like grattons (crispy fried pork bacon) and fromage de tête (head cheese) - the kind of delicacies that makes you question all your life choices.

Also, let's be real: there is nothing quite like the delightful chaos of a Saturday market in a French town!

Oingt

Next, we ventured to Oingt, located in the beautiful Pierres Dorées (Golden Stones) region. Often praised as one of France's most picturesque villages, Oingt features charming narrow streets, quaint galleries, and ochre-yellow stone houses that transport you back to medieval times. We savoured our lunch - the exquisite yet questionable market finds - atop a hill, surrounded by the breathtaking rolling hills and vineyards that make Beaujolais so special.

From lovely Oingt, we headed directly to the epic Beaujolais Crus regions - this is where our wine adventure truly begins!

Unlike in Burgundy and Alsace, the term "cru" in Beaujolais refers to entire wine-producing areas rather than individual vineyards. In the Beaujolais Cru lineup, which is listed from south to north, we have an impressive selection: 

Brouilly, Côte de Brouilly, Régnié, Morgon, Chiroubles, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, Chénas, Juliénas, and the charmingly named Saint-Amour.

You might notice that many producers shy away from putting "Beaujolais" on their labels. Why, you ask? Because they want to maintain a classy vibe and keep une certainedistance from those mass-produced Nouveau wines. In fact, vineyards in the cru villages are not allowed to produce Nouveau at all.

Morgon

We visited The Caveau du Cru Morgon that serves as the heart of the Morgon appellation's winemakers. This cellar welcomed us with its extensive collection of Morgon wines, showcasing the rich diversity and unique characteristics of the region. As we browsed through the carefully curated selection, we discovered great wines at a range of price points, allowing us to experience the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that Morgon is known for. The atmosphere was lively and educational, making it a delightful place for both seasoned connoisseurs and newcomers alike.

Moulin-à-Vent

Quelle surprise!

In Moulin-à-Vent there is indeed a moulin à vent, a windmill, that demands to be photographed! Seriously, if you don’t take a picture, does it even exist? It’s like the Mona Lisa of windmills - it needs its moment in the spotlight!

Juliénas

We concluded our visit to Beaujolais at Le Cellier de la Vieille Église in Juliénas - mais oui, it's a wine cellar with a twist as it is in a former church! After being deconsecrated in 1868, this holy haven became a shrine to wine, thanks to the enthusiastic efforts of Victor Peyret, an incredibly generous local who obviously loved his grapes.

Today, it’s the go-to spot for Juliénas residents and visitors, especially during the annual Wine Festival, where the only sin is not having a good time. Picture wine lovers clinking glasses, sharing stories, and trying to remember where they parked their deux chevaux! The Prize is awarded to the top advocates of the Juliénas vintage - journalists, writers, and artists - all of whom are casually judged by Bacchus, the slightly tipsy god of wine, who definitely knows how to throw a party.

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Cheers to that!