This Beaujolais village voted best Gamay in the world
We are pleased to announce excellent news for wine lovers: a Beaujolais-Villages from Marchampt has just been crowned the best Gamay in the world at a prestigious international competition. This unique recognition highlights the expertise of the winemakers of this small Beaujolais commune and confirms the remarkable quality of the wines produced from this unique terroir.
A Beaujolais-Villages that seduces experts
On January 11, 2025, the Cité internationale de Lyon hosted the 15th edition of the International du Gamay, a major event in the wine world. Among the 730 samples presented, it was the cuvée du Relais vintage 2023 from the Domaine du Relais du Colombier that won over the jury of experts. This Beaujolais-Villages, produced by Véronique and Laurent Ducrot, stood out for its deliciousness and remarkable balance .
As passionate sommeliers, we had the chance to taste this exceptional wine. Here are the main characteristics that seduced our palate:
- An intense and delicious fruitiness
- A beautiful minerality
- Tannins present but well balanced
- A generous material typical of Gamay
Christine Garcia, member of the final grand jury and founder of Vinitem in Lyon, was particularly impressed by the complexity of this wine, which goes beyond the usual expectations for a Gamay. This vintage validates the exceptional potential of the Marchampt terroir and the know-how of its winemakers .
Marchampt: an exceptional terroir for Gamay
Nestled in the hillsides of Beaujolais, the commune of Marchampt benefits from a unique terroir that contributes greatly to the quality of its wines. Arnaud Chambost, Meilleur Ouvrier de France sommelier in 2000, underlines the importance of Marchampt's geographical location: "It's an interesting place, with a bit of altitude, valleys, etc."
These geographical characteristics give Marchampt wines a distinct personality:
| Characteristic | Impact on wine |
|---|---|
| Altitude | Freshness and balance |
| Valleys | Diversity of exhibitions |
| Varied soils | Aromatic complexity |
The 2023 vintage, particularly warm, produced grapes of exceptional quality. Laurent Ducrot, a winemaker for 39 years in Marchampt, explains: "2023 was a sunny year, rich in all areas. I thought it was good." This award crowns years of hard work and confirms the remarkable potential of the sloping hillsides of Marchampt for the production of high-quality Gamay .
The promising future of Beaujolais-villages of Marchampt
This international recognition opens up new perspectives for the Marchampt winegrowers and for the Beaujolais-Villages appellation as a whole. We are convinced that this title of best Gamay in the world will attract the attention of wine lovers around the world to this often overlooked region.
As wine enthusiasts always on the lookout for new discoveries, we can only be delighted by this spotlight on an exceptional terroir. This success is in line with the rich history of Beaujolais , a region that has managed to reinvent itself while preserving its traditions. The fascinating history of Beaujolais Nouveau is a testament to this ability to combine tradition and innovation.
It is worth noting that this award-winning Beaujolais-Villages has an estimated ageing potential of four to five years. This characteristic shows the quality and structure of this wine, which could still surprise us in the years to come. We look forward to following its evolution and discovering the future gems that the Marchampt terroir has in store for us .
A radiance beyond Beaujolais
This prestigious distinction is not limited to the Beaujolais region alone. It highlights the excellence of French viticulture as a whole and strengthens France's position on the global wine scene. As wine enthusiasts, we can only be delighted to see France continue to shine in international competitions.
This award also reminds us of the importance of remaining curious and open to discovering new terroirs. If Beaujolais has given us this wonderful surprise, other French wine regions are just as worthy of our attention. For example, the Anjou Rouge appellation wines offer an equally exciting taste experience, with their unique characteristics.
The coronation of this Beaujolais-Villages of Marchampt as the best Gamay in the world in 2025 marks a turning point in the history of this appellation . It rewards the hard work of local winegrowers and highlights the exceptional potential of this terroir. As wine lovers, we can only rejoice in this recognition and encourage oenophiles from all over the world to discover the treasures that this magnificent wine region holds.
