Gamay du Chablais Vaudois

Switzerland is one of the few places outside of Beaujolais in France where Gamay is grown commercially with respectable results. Much comes from the Geneva area but Chablais and Valais also produce good Gamay based wines. Styles vary but much Swiss Gamay is more earthy and gamey than red Beaujolais.

Tasted in September 2014 - an extremely fine dining Gamay, well rounded, still fruity.

Ben says:

If you love Beaujolais Cru then this is for you. I guarantee that this is the wine that will sit on my table on Christmas Day to accompany a traditional Christmas dinner. Having said that, it will sit on my table, many, many times prior to that!

It has a medium to pale cherry red colour with such a brightness that it demands you get stuck in straightaway. A beautifully fragrant nose sets the juices flowing immediately - every red fruit you can imagine! Raspberries, strawberries, redcurrants - a basket of delight which is set in a damp woodland glade. This is the scent of Tolkien's Elven forests. Then you taste it and the world tilts slightly. Expectations of a light and possibly watery wine are dissolved instantly. A full body that belies everything you have anticipated and such flavours - rich red fruits dominate, but do not hide the woodland spiciness. This wine calls you to drink again before you can discover the incredible length it has. After the last drop you will continue to savour this for a very pleasant age. This is perfect with many conflicting flavours of food but it is also magnificent paired just with itself.