Discovery
By Sylvain Patard - Photographs: courtesy of the estates, posted on 29 October 2025
The 2025 vintage looks promising in Beaujolais, marked by early ripening, full maturity, and generally healthy grapes. After several sometimes-contrasted seasons, winemakers this year deliver a profile clearly oriented toward quality over quantity.
The climatic conditions allowed for the production of concentrated, perfectly ripe, and balanced grapes. The Gamay grape expresses its full typicity, yielding wines that are fresh, vibrant, and lively, with crisp red fruit aromas, cherry, redcurrant, or raspberry, enhanced by delicate peppery notes and floral hints reminiscent of peony.
This vibrant profile captivates with its smoothness and accessibility, while also offering interesting aging potential for the finest crus, provided they receive appropriate vinification. In short, a vintage that can satisfy all wine lovers: from young, lively, and fruity Beaujolais and Beaujolais Villages, to Crus destined for a bright future.
Economically, the decline in yields observed this year could generate some tension in supply. Industry professionals may need to adjust their pricing strategies or anticipate possible shortages in certain segments.
Overall, supply and demand are likely to be affected, making this vintage one to watch for both the French and international markets.
As every year, the traditional Beaujolais Nouveau will be unveiled to the public on the third Thursday of November. The most successful wines will likely come from parcel selections, with optimal ripeness and meticulous temperature control during fermentation. These cuvées will particularly highlight the brilliance of the fruit and aromatic precision, true hallmarks of the vintage.
Part of the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge team traveled to Villefranche-sur-Saône from October 15 to 17 for a tasting dedicated exclusively to Beaujolais Nouveau 2025.
As has been the case for several years now, winemakers were able to present samples sometimes just out of fermentation, allowing them to quickly capitalize on this commercial opportunity and communicate their results to clients without delay.
Nearly all wines tasted showed remarkable consistency, combining balance, fruit expression, and freshness, in a cheerful, typically Beaujolais Nouveau style. A few samples still carried a slight yeasty imprint with more exotic aromas reminiscent of the 1990s, but the vast majority impressed with their brilliance, pure fruit, and aromatic precision.
All these qualities make 2025 a genuine pleasure wine, true to the festive and authentic spirit of Beaujolais.
Among all the samples tasted, two cuvées stood out for their aromatic brightness and exceptional balance. Here are the two estates that particularly caught the attention of our tasters:
Tasting note:
"Beautiful deep purple-red hue. The nose displays remarkable fruit intensity and quality, revealing notes of redcurrant and blackberry. The palate is generous, smooth, and highly aromatic. A Beaujolais full of character."
About the estate:
A family-run winery since the 17th century, located in Saint-Vérand, the Famille Chermette embodies a traditional Beaujolais style through its Pierre-Marie Chermette range — true terroir-driven cuvées combining authenticity, structure, concentration, and fine tannins. Recognized worldwide since the 1980s, their wines are among the most respected references in the Beaujolais region.
Tasting note:
"Bright red color of moderate depth. The nose shows pure, noble red fruit. The palate seduces with its silky texture and persistent fruit intensity. An elegant Beaujolais."
About the estate:
Located in Saint-Vérand, at the heart of the Pierres Dorées, the Rollet family has been growing vines since the 16th century. At the head of the Domaine de la Feuillata, Jean-Yves Rollet continues a family tradition guided by passion and precision. His carefully crafted cuvées reflect the full nobility of the southern Beaujolais terroir.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Interprofession des Vins du Beaujolais, and especially to Laura Pillot, for their warm welcome and logistical support.
The winegrowers fully embraced the experience and appreciated our facilitating presence. By receiving their results in less than 48 hours, they were able to optimize their commercial communications.
These promising cuvées will soon be available across all distribution channels in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom — key markets for Beaujolais Nouveau — where the 2025 vintage will undoubtedly captivate with its authenticity and vibrancy.
Discovery
Discovery
Discovery