David Beaupere 'Let the People Faire la Teuf'

David Beaupère 'Let the People Faire la Teuf' is a Gamay from Juliénas in Beaujolais, made by Louis Clément David Beaupère — Clément to most — who has been converting his vineyards to organic farming since 2011. What sets this bottling apart is Clément's shift from the traditional goblet vine training common to Gamay to a trellised system with lower planting density, a move that reduces competition for water and nutrients and concentrates the fruit. The result is smaller clusters, better air circulation, and yields that hover around 40-45 hectoliters per hectare, well below the appellation ceiling. Clément farms in Juliénas, one of the ten Beaujolais crus, where granite soils and higher elevation produce Gamay with more structure and less immediate fruit than the genre's entry-level bottlings. His parcels are mid-conversion to certified organic, and the trellised vines — still a minority in a region famous for bush vines — allow improved light penetration and airflow, which minimizes disease pressure and enhances phenolic ripeness. In the cellar, Clément ferments and ages this Gamay in concrete, a vessel that holds temperature without the textural influence of oak or the reductive risk of stainless steel, letting the fruit and acidity speak clearly. The wine pours a translucent ruby and delivers tart cranberry, rhubarb, and a subtle clove spice layered over bright acidity. It's light-bodied but not hollow, with enough grip to handle roast chicken, pork chops with apple chutney, or a charcuterie board heavy on duck rillettes and cornichons. The name — "Let the People Party" — is not marketing hyperbole; this is a wine to serve slightly chilled at a casual dinner, where the bottle will empty quickly and no one will ask what vintage it is. Available for pickup at Off Premise Chicago, 1128 W Armitage Ave in Lincoln Park, with local Chicago delivery and nationwide shipping.