Côte de Brouilly ‘24

Beaujolais is much more than a once-a-year celebration of young wine. Nicole & Romain Chanrion’s Côte de Brouilly 2024 comes from one of the region’s ten crus, the named appellations that put Gamay and its home landscape in sharper focus. It’s a bottle to bring to the dinner table when you want to explore beyond the broad Beaujolais name.

Côte de Brouilly and Brouilly are neighbours, but they are not the same appellation. Côte de Brouilly occupies the slopes of Mont Brouilly, the landmark hill rising above the surrounding vineyards. Its distinctive blue volcanic stone is part of what sets the cru apart from the granite most closely associated with Beaujolais. The label’s “côte” points to those slopes: a small word with a very specific sense of place.

Pour it alongside pâté, cornichons, and crusty bread. A cheese board with a supple washed-rind cheese or a nutty mountain cheese is another good direction. Serve slightly cool rather than warm and let the bottle follow the meal, from the first bite of charcuterie through the last piece of cheese.