Gamay is a red grape variety from France, whose reputation is inextricably tied to the uneven image of Beaujolais. It is a popular choice for those seeking refreshment over intellectual stimulation.
Gamay usually makes relatively light-bodied, refreshing wine characterised by bright, summer pudding flavours with a touch of graphite. When vinified rapidly in a Beaujolais Nouveau style, Gamay is vibrantly fruity but can show unappetising notes of bananas and bubble gum. At the opposite end of the spectrum sits a growing number of more serious wines from specific communes, or crus. These tend to offer a darker, more complex fruit profile with greater depth, structure, and the ability to age a decade or more.
Gamay is a genetic offspring of Pinot Noir, so very much part of the Burgundian family of grape varieties. It may well take its name from the hamlet of Gamay at the southern end of the Côte d’Or but was banished from the region in the late 14th century, putting down roots in the granite hills of Beaujolais.
Gamay plantings are heavily concentrated in France, especially Beaujolais. This early-ripening grape’s other stronghold is the Loire, notably Touraine and Côteaux du Giennois. Gamay also maintains a solid, if lowly presence in Burgundy, where it is blended with Pinot Noir to make Bourgogne Passetoutgrains and accounts for most of the red wine from Mâcon. The variety is also found in the Northern Rhône and Auvergne, as well as Savoie and, just over the border, Switzerland. Gamay’s unfashionable status has hindered its spread abroad, but some is planted in California, Oregon and Canada’s Niagara. The grape has also developed a high quality niche in cooler parts of Australia, while in South Africa Radford Dale is a proud but isolated Gamay champion. The same is true of Te Mata in New Zealand.
Gamay’s full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, distinguishing it from several red-fleshed versions.
This grape variety is also known by the name of:
Beaujolais, Bargogna, Black Gamet, Blauer Gamet, Beuna di Susa, Bourgignon, Borgogna, Borgonja, Borgonja Crna, Borgonja Istarska, Borgogna Black, Biaune Gamaise, Burgundi Kek, Burgundi Nagyszemu, Ericey Du Acher, Crna Borgonja, Complant De Lune, Game Bojole, Game Bozhole, Chambonat, Carcairone, Gamay d'Arcenant, Gamay d'Auvergne, Gamay de Bevy, Gamay Charmont, Gamay de Fontvial, Gamay Crni, Gamay de Gien, Gamay De Malain, Gamay de Caudoz, Gamay De la Dole, Gamay de Liverdun, Gamay de Saint Romain, Gamay De Toul, Gamay De Vaux, Gamay De Sainte Foix, Gamay de la Meurthe, Bourguignon Noir, Gamay d'Orleans, Borgogna Blaue, Erice Noir, Game Krasnaya, Game Krasnyi, Gamay Du Gatinais, Gamay Du Beaujolais, Gamay Jonery, Gamay Du Moulin Moine, Gamay Guillard, Gamay Labronde, Gamay Margerand, Gamay Thomas, Gambonnin, Game, Gamay Mogneneins, Gamay Nero, Gamay Noar, Gamay Noir A Jus Blanc, Gamay Ovoide, Gamay Petit, Gamay Picolo, Game Burgundskii, Gamay Piccolo Nero, Gamay Plant Robert, Game Chernyi, Gamay Precoce, Gamay Rond, Game Cornii, Garcairone, Gamay Sainte-Foix, Kek Gamay, Gamai, Game Crni, Liverdun Blau, Gros Gamai, Liverdun Grand, Gara Game, Gamai Chatillon, Gamai De Montagne, Gamai Noir, Gros Rondelet, Gaman De Liverdun, Gamatraube, Gamay d'Evelles, Gamay A Jus Blanc, Gamay Beaujolais, Gamay Black, Game Ruzh, Game Red, Game Nuar, Game Ruj, Petit Bourguignon, Gamet Blau, Plant De La Treille, Petit Gamay, Gamet Blauer, Gamme, Plant Charmenton, Lyonnaise, Lyonnaise Commune, Gamai Rond, Lyonnaise Du Jonchay, Piccolo Gamay, Plant Picard, Plant De Labronde, Morvandiot, Nicola, Nagyburgundi Kek, Gamw Pikkolo Nero, Lekant, Plant Tondo, Melon Gross Blau, Melon Noir, Melonentraube Schwarz, Plant Charmeton, Grosse Dole, Plant Chatillon, Plant Tondu, Plant D Argenant, Plant D Evelles, Plant De Bevy, Plant D Hery, Petite Lyonnaise, Petit Gamai, Plant De Limagne, Plant de Montlambert, Plant des Carmes, Plant Nikolas, Saumorille, Plant Monternier, Plant Montagny-Sous-Beaune, Schwarze Melonentraube, Plant Chataignet, Plant Robert, Plant Tachon, Verdunois, Petit Rondelet, Olivette Beaujolaise, Pti Qame, Pti Game, Plant de Magny, Qame Qirmizi, Plant de Malin, Qame Bojole, Plant de Perrache, Qame Nuar, Qame Ruj, Qara Qame, Sulzentaler Blau
