Gaby’s Favorite Wines
Gamay
Cheerful Young Lady from Beaujolais
Meet Gaby, Princess Nora’s neighbor from Beaujolais, France. She’s young, cheerful, and down-to-earth, though she sometimes runs in the same royal circles as Nora. Gaby likes her me time, dresses in ruby red, and looks a little pale under her signature purple cap. She’s sensitive to too much sun.
In wine terms? Gaby is Gamay, the grape behind Beaujolais.
Unlike her more famous Burgundy neighbor Pinot Noir, Gamay is often made for immediate consumption. Though it can also be made into higher quality wines in certain parts of Beaujolais.
Expect a light-bodied wine with medium-high acidity and very low tannins. In the glass, Gamay is pale ruby with a purple hue, just like Gaby’s cap. It’s fruity and floral: think red cherry, raspberry, and violet, sometimes with a distinctive note of banana.
Beaujolais is Gaby’s homeland, sitting just south of Burgundy, and she rarely travels outside France, though she’ll occasionally wander into the Loire Valley too. Within Beaujolais there are 10 “Crus” (superstar villages) like Brouilly, Morgon, and Juliénas, where Gamay is grown with real care and can age into something surprisingly complex.
Gaby likes her me time, and true to that, Gamay is almost always bottled on its own rather than blended with other grapes.
Now let’s find you some bottles she’d actually approve of.
Gaby’s Top Picks
We picked three Cru Beaujolais from Gaby’s homeland, all available on Pop Up Wine Singapore. Click any wine name to shop it.
1. For your first Cru Beaujolais
Domaine de Grand Croix : Brouilly 2022
Brouilly, Beaujolais, France | $55 / bottle
Gaby says: "Brouilly is the easiest Cru to fall for: light, juicy, and full of raspberry and blackcurrant. Georges Duboeuf has been buying this estate's harvest since 1989, and Gilles Vincent and his son Stéphane run it today, working 60-year-old vines. No fuss, just good wine, rated 3.9 out of 5 on Vivino."
Pairs with: Roast chicken, grilled sausages, or a simple cheese board
2. Great value-for-money
Domaine de Javernière : Morgon Côte du Py 2020
Morgon, Beaujolais, France | $55 / bottle
Gaby says: "This one’s a steal: James Suckling gave it 90 points. The Côte du Py hillside has volcanic soil rich in iron oxide, which gives the wine real depth: black cherry, white pepper, and fine tannins. Similar to a good Burgundy without the price tag. Rated 3.8 out of 5 on Vivino."
Pairs with: Beef stew, roast duck, or aged cheese
3. To intrigue at a dinner party
Château des Capitans : Juliénas 2022
Juliénas, Beaujolais, France | $58 / bottle
Gaby says: "Juliénas is named after Julius Caesar, so you know it means business. This one comes from a 19th-century estate with ancient cedars still standing on the grounds. Rated 3.9 out of 5 on Vivino and 92 points from wine critic Natalie MacLean. Rivals a great Burgundy at a fraction of the price."
Pairs with: Coq au vin, roasted game, or a strong cheese
Gamay Cheat Sheet
| Body | Light |
| Color | Pale ruby with a purple hue |
| Tasting notes | Red cherry, raspberry, violet, sometimes banana, with a touch of earthiness |
| Serve at | 12–15°C |
| Best with | Roast chicken, charcuterie, beef stew, mild to medium cheeses |
| Avoid with | Very spicy food, heavy cream sauces, strong blue cheese |
| Glass type | Large Burgundy glass (wide bowl to collect the fruity, floral aromas) |
Meet Gaby
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