The red grape variety originates from France. Its full name is Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc due to its almost white flesh, to distinguish it from red-fleshed Gamay varieties. There are around 150 synonyms that testify to its wide distribution and great age. The most important are Beaujolais, Bourguignon Noir, Caracairone, Gamai, Gamai Chatillon, Gamay Beaujolais, Gamay Charmont, Gamay d'Arcenant, Gamay d'Auvergne, Gamay de la Dôle, Gamay de Liverdun, Gamay de Saint-Romain, Gamay de Sainte-Foix, Gamay de Toul, Gamay de Vaux, Gamay d'Orléans, Gamay du Gâtinais, Gamay Labronde, Gamay Noir, Gamay Ovoïde, Gamay Précoce, Gamé, Gammé, Grosse Dôle, Liverdun Grand, Lyonnais, Melon Noir, Petit Bourguignon, Petit Gamay, Plant Robert (a clone), Black Melon grape.
Origin
According to one hypothesis, it came to France from Dalmatia under the Roman Emperor Probus (232-282). However, it probably originates from Burgundy and is possibly named after the commune of Gamay near Saint-Aubin in the Côte d'Or. This very old variety was first mentioned in 1395 in an epistle of Duke Philip II the Bold (1342-1404). The document speaks of a very bad variety, Gaamez, from which abundant quantities of terribly bitter wine spring, making people seriously ill. Orders were given to destroy the vines throughout the country or to stop planting them. This official ban was reaffirmed several times until the middle of the 18th century and has been the reason for the rather bad reputation of this variety until very recently.
Parentage
Gamay should not be confused with the varieties Abouriou, Avanà, Blaufränkisch, Gascon, Gouget Noir, Grolleau Noir, Pinot Noir, Troyen or Valdiguié, despite some...
