EPISODE · Nov 19, 2025 · 22 MIN
What Is Gamay? From Beaujolais Nouveau to American Gamay
from American Wine Rebel Show · host American Wine Rebel
What is Gamay, really? In today’s episode, we’re taking Gamay far beyond Beaujolais and diving into it's diversity of styles: Beaujolais Nouveau, oak-aged Oregon Gamay, and even Gamay made as a white wine. If you’ve only ever tasted Gamay as a light red from France, buckle up. This grape has range. We start with the history of Beaujolais Nouveau, and how a local harvest wine turned into a global frenzy. We'll cover why it tastes like banana candy (its a real thing). Then we jump to the U.S. to dive into how American winemakers are rewriting Gamay, and Nouveau-style wine rules. 0:00 – Intro 1:12 – Beaujolais Region 1:52 – Beaujolais Nouveau History 5:06 – Winemaking Science Behind Nouveau Styles 8:00 – Paul Brady’s Fauxjolais (New York) 9:29 – Carbonic Maceration and Banana Candy & Bubblegum Flavors 13:48 – Division Wine Company Gamay (Oregon) 17:26 – Libertine Gamay Blanc 20:57 – Final Thoughts Wines Featured: • Paul Brady Wine – Fauxjolais (New York) • Division Wine Co. – Gamay Noir Lutte (Oregon) • Libertine Wines – White Gamay (Oregon) If you’re into American wine, small producers, or discovering grapes beyond the mainstream, subscribe and stick around.
What this episode covers
What is Gamay, really?In today’s episode, we’re taking Gamay far beyond Beaujolais and diving into it's diversity of styles: Beaujolais Nouveau, oak-aged Oregon Gamay, and even Gamay made as a white wine. If you’ve only ever tasted Gamay as a light red from France, buckle up. This grape has range.We start with the history of Beaujolais Nouveau, and how a local harvest wine turned into a global frenzy. We'll cover why it tastes like banana candy (its a real thing). Then we jump to the U.S. to dive into how American winemakers are rewriting Gamay, and Nouveau-style wine rules.0:00 – Intro1:12 – Beaujolais Region 1:52 – Beaujolais Nouveau History5:06 – Winemaking Science Behind Nouveau Styles8:00 – Paul Brady’s Fauxjolais (New York)9:29 – Carbonic Maceration and Banana Candy & Bubblegum Flavors13:48 – Division Wine Company Gamay (Oregon)17:26 – Libertine Gamay Blanc20:57 – Final ThoughtsWines Featured:• Paul Brady Wine – Fauxjolais (New York)• Division Wine Co. – Gamay Noir Lutte (Oregon)• Libertine Wines – White Gamay (Oregon)If you’re into American wine, small producers, or discovering grapes beyond the mainstream, subscribe and stick around.
NOW PLAYING
What Is Gamay? From Beaujolais Nouveau to American Gamay
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.