38 shades of terroir

The 38 villages of Beaujolais Villages AOC

The northern Beaujolais region, with its rolling hills and granite-based soils, is home to these 38 villages. While they all contribute to the richness and diversity of Beaujolais Villages wines, some stand out for their reputation and wine quality.
Here is the full list of villages that form the backbone of this appellation:

1. Lantignié
2. Quincié-en-Beaujolais
3. Vaux-en-Beaujolais
4. Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais
5. Régnié-Durette
6. Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne
7. Saint-Julien
8. Saint-Lager
9. Odenas
10. Le Perréon
11. Cercié
12. Chiroubles (partly within the Cru Chiroubles)
13. Charentay
14. Émeringes
15. Fleurie (mostly within the Cru Fleurie)
16. Juliénas (mostly within the Cru Juliénas)
17. Chénas (partly within the Cru Chénas)
18. Lancié
19. Chiroubles (shared with the Chiroubles Cru)
20. Villié-Morgon (also within the Morgon Cru)
21. Montmerle-sur-Saône
22. Saint-Didier-sur-Beaujeu
23. Saint-Jean-d'Ardières
24. Beaujeu (historical capital of Beaujolais)
25. Les Ardillats
26. Ouroux
27. Monsols
28. Avenas
29. Vernay
30. Trades
31. Marchampt
32. Chénelette
33. Propières
34. Saint-Igny-de-Vers
35. Saint-Mamert
36. Chambost-Allières
37. Pouilly-le-Monial
38. Theizé

These villages are spread across the northern part of Beaujolais, where the soil and climate are particularly well-suited for the Gamay grape. While not all of these villages are as famous as the Crus, they each contribute their own unique characteristics to the wines labeled as Beaujolais Villages.

Why these villages matter?

The key to understanding the importance of these 38 villages lies in their terroir. The northern part of Beaujolais is dominated by granite, schist, and volcanic soils, which are ideal for producing more complex and structured wines. Compared to the flatter, more fertile lands of southern Beaujolais, the vineyards here are on hillier terrain, often at higher altitudes.
This slower ripening of grapes results in wines with:

• Higher acidity, which adds freshness and longevity.
• Greater minerality, often found in wines with granite soils.
• More complex flavor profiles, ranging from ripe red fruits to earthy, spicy notes.

Highlighting a few key villages

While all 38 villages contribute to the Beaujolais Villages AOC, a few are particularly renowned for their high-quality wines:

• Lantignié: Known for producing some of the finest Beaujolais Villages wines, with exceptional balance and a touch of elegance often compared to the Crus.
• Quincié-en-Beaujolais: A village that consistently delivers expressive, fruit-forward wines with great depth.
• Régnié-Durette: Bordering the Cru Régnié, this village is known for wines that exhibit freshness and bright fruit flavors.
• Saint-Lager: Produces wines with a strong sense of minerality, typical of the northern Beaujolais region.

The impact of terroir on Beaujolais Villages

What sets the wines from these villages apart from the broader Beaujolais AOC? It comes down to terroir. The influence of granite soils and the cooler climate of the north give Beaujolais Villages wines more structure, acidity, and complexity compared to their southern counterparts. This also means they can age longer, sometimes up to five years, allowing the wine to develop more layers of flavor.

Tasting Beaujolais Villages

Wines from the Beaujolais Villages AOC are a great introduction to the diversity of the Beaujolais region.
Here’s what you can typically expect in a glass of Beaujolais Villages:

• Color: Bright ruby red, sometimes with deeper purple tones.
• Aromas: Expect a bouquet of red berries—strawberries, raspberries, cherries—with floral and earthy undertones.
• Taste: Fresh and lively, with well-balanced acidity. The red fruit flavors are often complemented by spice, herbs, and a subtle mineral finish.
• Body: Light to medium-bodied, with softer tannins than the Beaujolais Crus, but more structure than Beaujolais AOC.