So, in the next episode of my quest to explore Gamay, I’m heading just south of Beaujolais to the Coteaux du Lyonnais, a small appellation of 370 hectares of vines to the west of Lyon. It’s a little known AOP, which works in favour of the consumer because the prices are modest. Indeed, this is a remarkable bargain at just £6.95 from The Wine Society, because it’s a proper expression of Gamay. This isn’t the world’s greatest ever red wine, but it is fully enjoyable and authentic, and not tricked around with, and is capable of delivering a lot of pleasure. At this price point, its peer group is simple commercial, mass market wine, and this is a lot better than that.

Domaine des Hauts de Chasselay Gamay 2014 Coteaux du Lyonnais, France
12.5% alcohol. Fresh, supple red cherry and cranberry fruit, with some raspberry, too. Bright with nice grip and good acidity. This is a juicy, focused red wine with good acidity, and it is just so drinkable and pure. 89/100 (£6.95 The Wine Society)

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• Gamay 1 – RPM Gamay Noir California
• Gamay 2 – Domaine Metrat Chiroubles ‘La Scandaleuse’
• Gamay 3 – Orofino, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia
• Gamay 4 – Julien Sunier Fleurie
• Gamay 5- Radford Dale Thirst Gamay, South Africa
• Gamay 6 – Louis Claude Desvignes Morgon Javernières ‘Les Impénitents’
• Gamay 7 – Hauts de Chasselay, Coteaux du Lyonnais
• Gamay 8 – Serol Les Originelles, Cote Roannaise
• Gamay 9 – Te Mata Gamay Noir, Hawkes Bay
• Gamay 10 – Puy de Dome, Auvergne
• Gamay 11 – Beauregard Fleurie
• Gamay 12 – Antoine Sunier Morgon 2014 and Regnie 2014
• Gamay 13 – Thibault Liger-Belair Les Roucheaux 2011
• Gamay 14 – Bow and Arrow 2014 Oregon