Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin de primeur, fermented for just a few weeks then officially released for sale on the third Thursday of November. This day is popular as “Beaujolais Day”, or “Beaujolais Nouveau Day”.
Sinse 1970s “Beaujolais Day” is accompanied by publicity events and heavy advertising. The traditional slogan, even in English-speaking countries, was “Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrive!” (literally, “The new Beaujolais has arrived!”), but in 2005 this was changed to “It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time!”. In the United States, it is promoted as a drink for Thanksgiving, which falls a week after the wine is released.
Beaujolais Nouveau is a purple-pink wine that is particularly lightweight, even by the standards of Beaujolais. The method of production means that there is very little tannin, and the wine can be dominated by fruity, ester flavours of bananas and pear drops. These are enhanced by the frequent recommendation to serve the wine lightly chilled, at approximately 13°C (55°F).
This year the festival kicks off in the village of Beaujeu on November 19, where the first bottles are released at one minute past midnight. It’s accompanied by fireworks, a dinner and, of course, much degustation (tasting, that is) of the chilled, cloudy wine.
Dan
How much does a bottle go for?