Saint-Amour
Saint-Amour
The most northerly of the Beaujolais region's ten Cru appellations, Saint-Amour is the obvious Valentine's Day gift for a Francophile, and the sales figures certainly get a boost in February. Saint-Amour is one of the smallest Beaujolais Crus, with a vineyard area of 320 hectares, and is home to 115 growers. The Gamay wines of Saint-Amour are characteristically lighter in style than many of the neighbouring appellations, with a bright ruby colour and approachable juicy red fruit flavours married with subtle spice, peach and floral notes. The wines are best drunk within two-three years, but the top examples may age for longer. Saint-Amour also produces quantities of white wine, made from Chardonnay and Aligote and sold under the Beaujolais Blanc name, or Burgundy's Saint Veran appellation title where the two areas overlap.