Uva Non Grata Gamay 23

Boutinot is a UK-based wine company known for its remarkable knack of sourcing super-tasty wines that are super-easy on your wallet. They began as a trusted partner for up-scale supermarket chains like Sainsbury's in Britain, providing wines that punched way above their reasonable price point. I'm pleased to say that in recent years, their reach has expanded to the States, and we've featured many of their deliciously affordable wines here at the AWM.

Boutinot's knack for sourcing terroir-driven wines that are free of sticker shock is perhaps only eclipsed by their sense of humor and penchant for creating crazy, Escher-like labels. One of their recent playful creations is Uva Non-Grata Gamay. "Uva Non-Grata" is Latin for "unwelcome grape"— a cheeky nod to Gamay's somewhat checkered and colorful past. Back in 1395, the grape was booted and banished from Burgundy by Duke Philip the Bold, who considered it inferior to the noble Pinot Noir. These days, Uva Non-Grata embraces its outsider roots and draws fruit from an even broader swath of vineyards between Burgundy and the southern Rhône.

The fruit for Uva Non-Grata is sourced primarily from declassified vineyards in and around the Beaujolais Cru of Chiroubles, along with vineyards stretching across the rest of Beaujolais and the granite-rich hills near Lyon. The unique combination of family growers, co-ops, and estate vineyards is the true secret to this wine's success.

With a further thumb of the nose to Duke Philip the Bold, Uva Non-Grata is vinified at Boutinot's gravity-fed winery on their GENETIE estate in southern Burgundy. The GENETIE cellar production is entirely gravity, and by eliminating pumps, the process preserves the wine's delicate aromatics and structure.

In your glass, you'll enjoy bright red fruit aromas—think crunchy cherries and tangy raspberries—framed by gentle notes of fresh herbs that linger nicely around the edges. On the palate, it's brisk and refreshing, deftly walking the line between easygoing enjoyment on the porch and infinitely food-friendly at the table.

Much like its vinous siblings in the Loire and Beaujolais, this delicious Gamay is at home with nearly endless food pairings. It's a natural with everything from grilled chicken, tuna, salmon, and charcuterie to weeknight ethnic takeout. You'll love it with medium-spiced Thai stir-fries, Mediterranean grilled meats, and smoky vegetarian or beef chili.