If there is one style of red wine that epitomizes pure joie de vivre, it is Beaujolais. While certain cuvees are meant to cellar, there are countless other moments in life perfectly suited for Beaujolais. Put a chill on it, pair it with grilled summer vegetables, your breakfast bacon-egg-and-cheese, or serve it with roast chicken. These are vibrant, energetic, and joyful wines that cut straight to deliciousness.
Please enter Jean Foillard.
In the 1980s, Jean Foillard and a small group of visionary neighbors radically shifted how the world viewed Beaujolais. They proved that Gamay, meticulously farmed and vinified under a watchful eye, could produce wines of uplifting purity. Following an ethos inspired by Jules Chauvet, Foillard practices organic farming, avoids chaptalization, filtration, and added sulfur.
As Kermit Lynch famously said of these wines: "There is something no-nonsense and straightforward about Foillard’s wine. It seems to say, let’s cut straight to deliciousness. Deliciousness with class."
The 2024 vintage captures this spirit exceptionally well. There is nothing more satisfying than pulling the cork on a bottle that is brimming with bright, crunchy red fruit. So if you want to party as the Beaujolais do (and they love to party), a case of Foillard Village is a good place to start. The best way to secure your wines is via the links below. However, we are always here to help and available for questions at shop@mwc.com.
For Immediate Refreshment (Porch, Beach, Lake or anytime)
These are the ultimate summer chillers. Put a solid fifteen-minute chill on the Beaujolais-Villages and the Corcelette and enjoy them in the sunshine. They are perfect picnic partners alongside a baguette and some ham.
2024 Beaujolais-Villages - 12+ btls @ $34.99/btl ($31.49 with case discount)
An absolute staple that punches well above its weight class for everyday drinking. This highly accessible bottle is the perfect introduction to Foillard’s philosophy.
2024 Morgon, Cuvee Corcelette - 12+ btls @ $59.99/btl
Grown on sandy, granitic slopes, this cuvée delivers a beautifully perfumed, delicate profile brimming with vibrant red fruit.
For the Table (Roast chicken preferably, but go wild)
When you are firing up the grill or smoker, we look to the iconic Côte du Py. These wines have the depth to handle food while maintaining a lifted freshness that won't weigh you down. These are also bottles that will reward with a few years in the cellar, if you have the patience.
2024 Morgon, Cote du Py - 12+ btls @ $64.99/btl
2024 Morgon, Cote du Py - Magnum - 8 Mags @ $134.99/mag
Foillard’s estate sits directly on the famed Côte du Py slope. Made from vines as old as 90 years, this flagship Morgon unfolds with a captivating bouquet of floral bramble, black fruit, and wild herbs. It is stunning with a classic Sunday roast chicken.
