gamay

noun

ga·​may ga-ˈmā How to pronounce gamay (audio)
ˈga-ˌmā
variants often Gamay
: a medium-bodied red wine that is known for its bright fruity flavors and modest tannins, that is often consumed without extensive aging, and that is notably produced in Beaujolais and Oregon
gamay rosé
also : the grape itself

Examples of gamay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
These bottlings include a gamay and her first sparkling wine, from the Savoie grape mondeuse. — David Rosoff, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2024 This gamay comes from organic vineyards in the Touraine region of the Loire Valley. — Eric Asimov, New York Times, 25 Jan. 2025 Also, Domaine Bovy produces new grape varieties, like pinots gris, gewürztraminer, viognier, gamay and gamaret. — Jeryl Brunner, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025 That ranges from sparkling Chenin Blanc to Sancerre rosé, Gamays like Du Grappin Côte de Brouilly, plus expressive oranges and whites. — Mike Jordan, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2026 Swiss wine is overshadowed by that of its neighbors, but thanks to a unique microclimate created by their proximity to Lake Geneva and the Rhone River, vineyards around Geneva produce world-class gamay (red) and chasselas (white) varieties. — Anna Haines, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025 Mathis immediately saw the breadth of this eager young man’s capabilities and put him to work installing godello at the Guichard Vineyard in Saratoga, and then planting sauvignon blanc and gamay noir at Imperial Vineyard by Lexington Reservoir. — Laura Ness, Mercury News, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, earlier gamet, going back to Middle French gaamez, after Gamay, village in St. Aubin commune (Côte d'Or), France

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gamay was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

gamashes
gamay
gamb
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gamay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gamay. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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