Seven reasons why I love Beaujolais

Vineyards in Moulin-a-vent

Gamay, you are a charmer.

That deceptively simple yet elegant perfume, your lightness of touch, and supple texture. Yes, you went a bit girly during your "nouveau" phase (circa 1980s), but that's all water under the bridge now. Now you're all grown up - mature and assured, and that much more attractive.

I know you've spread your wings a bit, as far as Italy, the UK and even Australia - but can't we just settle down in your southerly Burgundian home - Beaujolais?

Here's why:

1. Beaujolais is like an intense masterclass for a single grape variety, and single core wine style

18,000 hectares of Gamay (the majority of the 30,000 hectares grown worldwide) is the only grape variety allowed for quality wines in the whole region. There's no lack of variety, from fresh and flighty (Beaujolais or Beaujolais Villages) to the more serious wines from the 10 "cru" villages (Morgon or Moulin-à-vent being the most structured and weighty).