Wines of the week: Three Beaujolais wines for spring

The red wines of the Beaujolais region are some of the most enticing and food-friendly in France, with climatic soil variations creating extraordinary diversity from just one remarkable grape, Gamay – and they are just perfect for spring drinking

From Moulin-à-Vent

Xavier and Nicolas Barbet Moulin-à-Vent 2014

From the appellation renowned for producing the heavier and more concentrated wines of the Beaujolais Villages, drawn from low yield vines and able to age well, this is almost Rhone-like in its nature: deep, juicy black fruits, hints of tar, tobacco and earth, with some fresh green herbs in the mix. Drink now with all roast meats, charcuterie or hard cheeses, but it will improve with more ageing.

£14.99 henningswine.co.uk; £15.49 vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk

From Saint-Amour

Saint-Amour Domaine des Billards 2015

The northernmost of the ten Beaujolais crus, Saint-Amour is renowned for its succulent, rounded wines. And this example is as seductive and gorgeous as the name implies – silky, mouth filling and packed with a mixture of black and red fruits, with just hint of black pepper. Would work with full-flavoured white fish dishes, semi-hard cheeses and vegetable dishes.

£12.99 frazierswine.co.uk; £13.99 oxfordwine.co.uk

From Brouilly

Jean-Claude Lapalu Brouilly Vieilles Vignes 2015

Wines from this area are generally the most light and aromatic, but there is great depth and power gained from biodynamic winemaking. There are rich layers of dark berry fruit flavours but an underlying supple freshness that brings the wine alive on the palate. A serious, grown-up wine, to be savoured, slowly, with roast lamb or duck.

£19.99 (minimum order six bottles) agwines.com; £23.95 josephbarneswines.com