Morgon

The characteristics of Morgon wine are primarily due to its subsoil, which consists of weathered granite—or “gore”—a mixture of sand and clay with a high concentration of iron oxide, which contributes to its excellent aging potential. The vineyards are situated at altitudes ranging from 220 to 520 meters and face east and south. Since 1985, to better define the origin of the vintages, the Morgon appellation area has been divided into six climats, each sharing the same soil and exposure characteristics. They are: Les Charmes, Corcelette, Côte du Py, Douby, Les Grands Cras, and Les Micouds. 

Currently, the area covered by the AOC for Morgon wines covers nearly 1,100 hectares, cultivated by 250 winegrowers, including the Pizay Castle, Domaine Raymond Bouland, Domaine Louis-Claude Desvignes, Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, and above all the Castle of the Enlightenment are emblematic of the region. The sole grape variety used in Morgon wine is, of course, that of the Beaujolais region: Gamay noir à jus blanc, from which producers craft a ruby-red wine with predominantly fruity aromas that become more refined with age.

Morgon: The Elegance of Beaujolais

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

Geography and Characteristics of the Morgon

The Morgon is a wine-growing 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) designation and recognized by the National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) under a decree dated September 11, 1936. Since 1985, it has been divided into six climats, the most renowned being Les Charmes and La Côte du Py, surrounded by those of Corcelette, Douby, Les Grands Cras, and Les Micouds. TheMorgon AOC Today, the region covers approximately 1,100 hectares, shared among 565 winegrowers, winemakers, and merchants. These producers must harvest the grapes by hand, maintain a yield not exceeding 58 hectoliters per hectare, and refrain from adding sugar. Whole-cluster carbonic maceration is the predominant winemaking method, resulting in a juice that is not overly tannic and features aromas of ripe stone fruits, kirsch, and spices that are unmistakably pronounced. 

The distinctive taste of Morgon wine stems from the natural elements that make up the terroir. First, the climatic influences, which are temperate and oceanic year-round due to the Loire River, with Mediterranean tendencies in summer and continental tendencies in winter. Next, the soil, which is composed of granite throughout the region, including the “Fleurie granite” in Villié-Morgon and its “roche pourrie”—decomposing schist—which gives the wine its much-loved “sherry” note. And then, of course, the grape variety: 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 permitted, up to a limit of 15% per plot: Aligoté, Chardonnay, and Melon B (formerly known as “Melon de Bourgogne”).

Food and wine pairings tomorrow

Depending on how long it has been aged and individual preferences, the Morgon It pairs equally well with an aperitif or a full meal. It goes very well with various meat terrines, cold cuts, hams, mushroom dishes, and cheeses such as Saint-Félicien and Saint-Marcellin for a regional pairing. All the more reason to discover this fine Beaujolais vintage, starting, for example, with a 2018 Morgon before working your way back through the years with a vertical tasting during dinner.