Ever since we opened our first store in New York, Beaujolais has been a hit at Flatiron Wines. When we expanded out west we knew that this would be a big part of the experience of our San Francisco shop. We have a whole corner of our French wing devoted to it! 

Beaujolais is the perfect wine for us -- or the perfect wineS, since really, Beaujolais means a so many different things--from the festive Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais wines we like to crush with friends, to the beautifully expressive Beaujolais Villages, right on up to the exceptional, terroir-specific Crus. 

Jeff in New York wrote a series on those 10 Crus a few years back, which became a go-to source of information. 

But despite all the questions we've gotten over the years, we've never written a series on the broader picture of Beaujolais. So we're doing that now! 

The first post is up: An Introduction to Beaujolais--everything we think you need to know to enjoy Beaujolais as much as we do! It's got just enough on the history of the region, the grape, the terroirs and cultural context to help situate these beautiful wines in the broader world of wine. 

If you're a newbie to Beaujolais, we think it's everything you need to know to start taking the dive. And if you're an old Beaujolais hand, it may be a decent refresher or, perhaps, even the source of a few interesting new tidbits. 

But reading about Beaujolais without tasting it wouldn't be much fun, would it? So here are three wines, one from each of the main levels, Beaujolais, Beaujolais Village, and Beaujolais Cru, that for us embody all Beaujolais' myriad charms. Besides the three below, we threw a few more into the collection for your viewing pleasure. 

And if you're looking for new arrivals and special deals on beaujolais, please be sure to sign up for our newsletter. Every week we give you great stories and special pricing on the most delicious and interesting wines in the world -- no shortage of which are from Beaujolais. 

Domaine des Terres Dorees (Jean-Paul Brun) Beaujolais VV L'Ancien, 2018

From Jean-Paul Brun's oldest vines in south Beaujolais, this is vinified using traditional Burgundian techniques. Silky minerality with a structured, spicy core that will not disappoint down the road.

Domaine Ruet, Beaujolais-Villages Sans Soufre Ajoute, 2017

Ruet is as traditional as it gets in Beaujolais, but that in no way means old-fashioned. Nothing is added to this, not even sulfur. This is Ruet’s lightest and juiciest wine with a touch of spice and a bright mineral core that shows off its wild side.

Marcel Lapierre, Morgon, 2018

If you've heard of Morgon, then you've probably heard of Marcel Lapierre. The late, great winemaker helped put this Beaujolais Cru on the map in the US. His son and daughter have now taken over and are continuing in his footsteps, changing nothing. So complex with blue and red fruit aromas, incense and dessert spice. Intense berry flavors that are washed down by waves of acidity, with the fine tannins leading you through a long, sappy finish. As deep and complex as Beaujolais gets. Zero sulfur or anything else added.