Morgon

The characteristics of Morgon wine are mainly due to its subsoil, which consists of disintegrated granite, or gore, a mixture of sand and clay, with a predominance of iron oxide, which allows it to age well. The vines are planted at altitudes ranging from 220 to 520 meters and face east and south. Since 1985, in order to better specify the origin of the vintages, the Morgon appellation area has been divided into six climats, each with the same soil and exposure characteristics. They are called: Les Charmes, Corcelette, Côte du Py, Douby, Les Grands Cras, and Les Micouds. 

Currently, the area covered by the AOC of the Morgon wines covers almost 1,100 hectares, cultivated by 250 winegrowers, including Pizay Castle, Domaine Raymond Bouland, Domaine Louis-Claude Desvignes, Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, and above all Castle of Lights are emblematic. The unique grape variety used in Morgon wine is, of course, the Beaujolais variety, Gamay noir à jus blanc, from which producers make a ruby-colored red wine with predominantly fruity aromas that refine with age.

Morgon, the elegance of Beaujolais

Although its remarkable richness and ruby color are reminiscent of Burgundy wines, Morgon wine is one of the ten crus of the Beaujolais appellation. Here is a brief overview of these delicate red wines, which can be enjoyed immediately or after a few years of aging.

Geography and characteristics of Morgon

The Morgon is a wine region stretching along the commune of Villié-Morgon, located in the Rhône department, about 50 kilometers north of Lyon. It is protected by the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) label and recognized by the Institut National de l'Origine et de la Qualité (INAO) by decree of September 11, 1936. Since 1985, it has been divided into six climats, the most famous being Les Charmes and La Côte du Py, surrounded by Corcelette, Douby, Les Grands Cras, and Les Micouds. TheMorgon AOC now covers around 1,100 hectares, shared between 565 winegrowers, winemakers, and merchants. The latter must harvest the grapes by hand, respect a yield not exceeding 58 hectoliters per hectare, and not chaptalize. Carbonic maceration of whole bunches is the predominant winemaking process, resulting in a juice that is not overly tannic and aromas of ripe stone fruits, kirsch, and spices that unambiguously "morgonnent" (exude the character of Morgon). 

The distinctive taste of Morgon wine results from the natural elements that make up the terroir. First of all, there are climatic influences, which are temperate and oceanic throughout the year due to the Loire River, with Mediterranean tendencies in summer and continental tendencies in winter. Then there is the soil, which is composed of granite throughout the area, including "Fleurie granite" in Villié-Morgon and its "rotten rock" of decomposing schist, which gives the wine its much-appreciated "sherry" touch. And then, of course, there is the grape variety, the Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc, emblematic of the Beaujolais region, which thrives particularly well on the region's granite soils. Three white grape varieties are accepted within a limit of 15% per plot: Aligoté, Chardonnay, and Melon B (formerly known as "Melon de Bourgogne").

Food and wine pairings with Morgon

Depending on its aging and individual tastes, the Morgon It pairs equally well with an aperitif or an entire meal. It goes very well with various meat terrines, charcuterie, ham, mushroom dishes, and cheeses such as Saint-Félicien and Saint-Marcellin for a regional pairing. There are so many reasons to discover this beautiful Beaujolais vintage, starting with a Morgon 2018, for example, before going back through the years with a vertical tasting during dinner.