Stephane Aviron Saint Amour 2019

The Saint-Amour cru is in the northern part of the Cru Beaujolais area. The terroir here starts to shift and become more similar to the soils of Burgundy, still with granite soils, but clay and limestone start to be present in Saint-Amour soils as well like in the Burgundian villages farther north. These soils with clay are limestone create the fuller style of Saint-Amour with a deeper color, more body and richness. Compared to his soft and aromatic Fleurie, Stéphane Aviron’s Saint-Amour is more structured and firm, but still with soft, red fruits and floral components.

The grapes are hand-harvested and then vinified in the traditional Beaujolais style. Whole bunches are used followed by seven to eight days of maceration before pressing. The wine is then aged completely in cement tank, to retain the bright fruit of the Saint-Amour. Stéphane Aviron has adopted an almost radical return to tradition in Beaujolais: sustainable and organic viticulture, extremely old vines and classic Burgundian techniques. His cru Beaujolais drink like fine Burgundy. 

Historically considered 'poor man’s Burgundy,' a modern movement toward fruity, simple, quaffing wines (instigated by the mega Georges Duboeuf brand) boosted sales but eroded the region’s traditional quality. Stéphane Aviron has reversed that trend. By focusing on the Beaujolais village crus, the best sites for unique, expressive wines, and finding old parcels of vines, Aviron creates very expressive, age-worthy wines relying on traditional and new methods, including organic and biodynamic vineyard management. All wines are labeled “Vieilles Vignes,” old vines, because the vines are at least 40 years old. Stéphane Aviron’s wines are authentic in every way. 

A wonderful selection for Valentine's dinners, celebrating love and being in love is very much in the air where Saint-Amour is produced. As well as producing a gentle and multi-facetted red wine, this charming small town in the Beaujolais region celebrates Cupid on every street corner. It is with a happy heart that you will discover the appellation of Love : Saint-Amour!