Gamay Noir

[barnesy]

While back in Oregon, I knowticed that several wineries are putting out a wine called "gamay noir." I didn't get a chance to taste any. Is this the same gamay that is grown in Beaujolais? Is it of the same quality? Or is it the plonk that usually gets labeled "california gamay" which isn't gamay, if I remember correctly.

Barnesy

[ddf68]

Barnesy, it is the very same Gamay used to make Beaujolais. I have had the '96 Willakenzie Gamay and it is a good wine, rather firm and a bit tannic, but balanced and with decent density, especially for the vintage. It is not at all like Beaujolais. Whether that's due to the terroir or vinification (Willakenzie I am sure doesn't do any carbonic maceration, for example) I can't say. I haven't had any other Gamays.

ddf

[This message has been edited by ddf68 (edited 05-21-2001).]