Gamay
| Gamay | |
|---|---|
| Grape (Vitis) | |
| Color of berry skin | Purple |
| Also called | Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc Sicily |
| Notable regions | Beaujolais, Loire Valley; Niagara Peninsula; Willamette Valley |
| Notable wines | Bourgogne Passe-Tout-Grains, Beaujolais nouveau |
| VIVC number | 4377 |
Gamay (French pronunciation: [ɡamɛ] ⓘ) is a purple-colored grape variety used to make red wines, most notably grown in Beaujolais and in the Loire Valley around Tours. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc. It is a very old cultivar, mentioned as long ago as the 15th century. It has been often cultivated because it makes for abundant production; however, it can produce wines of distinction when planted on acidic soils, which help to soften the grape's naturally high acidity.