Michel Guignier Melodie d'Automne 2018

This week’s Wine Crush is Michel Guignier Mélodie d’Automne 2018 from Beaujolais, France. 

Last week, I drank this wine with friends at the beach. The beach. In Malibu, where the ocean was wild, misty, cold, but the sun was round and bright. At first, it seemed an unlikely beach pairing, but this light, fresh Gamay is as engulfing as the waves are to a Seattleite, and as delicate as the salty sea mist that occasionally sprinkled down on us. Maybe it was being away for a minute, or the sun, or the company of very good people, but slightly chilled Gamay may just be the new rosé. (Just joking, there will be so much rosé this summer, promise).  

Michel Guignier makes wine in Beaujolais, France, with a deeply vested interest in biodynamic farming, biodiversity, and unadulterated wine. His seven hectares of vineyard are farmed amongst the forests of Vauxrenard — hilly and wild— where he harvests with his horse, Bistere, pictured on the label. Cows roam the vineyard, acting as living lawnmowers while simultaneously fertilizing the soil. The Melodie d’Automne is fermented whole cluster and macerated for 6 to 7 days in concrete vats, making for a lighter Gamay: berry forward with a touch of earthy roundness.  

If you don’t find yourself at the Pacific Ocean anytime soon, Golden Gardens or a sunset park would be a perfect pairing to this ethereal red. Or drink (slightly chilled!) for a delicious boost to your next backyard spring-veggie grill night. 

Swing by Sunset Hill or West Seattle to grab a bottle, or order online!