Morgon PDO

Morgon: an expressive Beaujolais cru

When it "morgonne", this wine expresses all its terroir, this so particular rock on which the vine which gives it birth is cultivated. Not only is Morgon the origin of its own word, but it has also contributed to reviving the image of the Beaujolais vineyard. As the en primeur wines shake up the international press every third Thursday in November, Morgon, along with other crus such as Moulin à Vent and Fleurie, brings finesse and elegance to this eastern French vineyard. We propose you to taste the Morgon, a surprising AOC wine, whether it is by its quality, by its aromas or by its price.

General presentation of the appellation

It is in the Rhône department, around the small commune of Villié-Morgon, that this appellation is produced. Morgon is one of the 10 crus of the Beaujolais, which are all concentrated in the north of the vineyard. The 1,100 hectares of vines that produce Morgon are located east of Beaujeu, south of Mâcon and north of Villefranche-sur-Saône. It is the second largest^appellation in Beaujolais, just behind the vineyard of Brouilly. The wines of this production area can be marketed under other appellations, namely Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages, but also under Burgundy appellations such as Burgundy Pass-Tout-Grain, Burgundy, Burgundy Aligoté, etc.

Set against the Beaujolais mountains and about ten kilometres from the Saône, the Morgon vines benefit from a sunny climate; the wine also draws its identity from the soil on which it takes root, a terrain that is sometimes referred to as "rotten rocks", due in particular to its friability. This geological characteristic is particularly present on the Côte du Py.

The Morgon AOC has various terroirs spread around Villié-Morgon, the first two of which are particularly appreciated:

-Charmes

-Côte du Py

-Corcelette

-Douby

-Micouds

-Grands Cras

The main grape variety is Gamay Noir with white juice. Aligoté blanc, chardonnay and melon blanc are the authorised secondary grape varieties, up to a limit of 15% per plot.

Characteristics of Morgon

When young, Morgon has a deep garnet red colour with hints of violet. This colour, the fruit of the Gamay grape, gradually evolves towards mahogany. The nose is dominated by fruity aromas of black fruit, red fruit and ripe stone fruit. But the originality of Morgon is expressed through its aromas of kirsch and brandy, which can evolve towards notes of sherry with age.

Moreover, Morgon is a wine that can be kept for 3 to 10 years, and even longer for the best vintages of the stars of the appellation.

Finally, it offers good value for money and will surprise you. Full-bodied and fruity, it is usually said to be the "fruit of a Beaujolais" and to have "the charm of a Burgundy".

How to taste a Morgon

As far as serving temperature is concerned, it is best to serve a young Morgon between 13 and 16° and, when the wine is older, between 16 and 17°. In terms of food and wine pairing, Morgon lends itself to many dishes, particularly white meats such as veal or pork. Morgon is a powerful wine that also goes well with certain game dishes, such as venison, wild boar or pheasant. It also goes well with meats that have been simmered for a long time: leg of lamb, beef bourguignon, osso buco...