Beaujolais
: Vine varieties

Appears in
Oxford Companion to Wine

By Jancis Robinson

Published 2006

  • About

Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc (so called to distinguish it from the relatively widely planted red-fleshed Gamay teinturiers) accounts for about 98% of the Beaujolais vineyard, which makes Beaujolais the most monocépagiste (single variety) region of any size in France. Virtually all the rest is Chardonnay, although Aligoté is also allowed until 2024 (so long as it was planted before 2004). According to the detail of the official regulations, up to 15% of white wine grapes may be included in most Beaujolais appellations.