It's (Almost) Time for the Beaujolais Nouveau!

November 18th, 2008 by discover

The third Thursday in November of every year is a very special day for wine tasters all over the world – but especially for those of us living here in France!

Why? Because it marks the launch of the Beaujolais Nouveau.

What is the Beaujolais Nouveau you ask?

It’s a celebration of the official release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine. Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine from the Gamay variety of grapes – and it’s authorized for immediate sale after fermentation.

It is a popular ‘vin de primeur’, a wine harvested in fall and sold before spring.

This time of the year, the Beaujolais region in south Burgundy really comes to life!

For example, one very popular wine tasting contest happens every year – at around 5 o’clock on Wednesday, all the locals along with ever-growing numbers of tourists – gather for this very special wine tasting contest.

The competitors try to identify 12 varieties of Beaujolais wine just by tasting it – and the winner gets a prize of a wine barrel that’s equal to his body weight!

The night is a celebration for wine lovers who come from all over the world! It doesn’t take long for the streets to be filled with celebrants who learn how to prepare wine from the local vineyards.

A torch parade is held. And at midnight exactly the barrels of Beaujolais Nouveau are opened, and the official fete begins!

Of course, if a trip to France isn’t in the cards for you in the next two days, you don’t have to miss out on all the fun! There are Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations planned all over the world – in fact, if you know of one in your neck of the woods – here in France or elsewhere – feel free to write a post and let us know where it’s goin to be.

And check back to this page, because as I find places where all the cool people will be celebrating, I’ll add their links to this post!

I’m looking forward to the parties we’ll be going to as well. We’ve received two invitations to private Beaujolais Nouveau tastings – and at one party there will also be fois gras and other delicacies served, while at the other party, it’s a bunch of friends who will be getting together to drink the delicious wine (which is meant to be served chilled, by the way so that the rich fruity flavors are brought out)…and having a barbecue of delicious sausages and other meats.

The Beaujolais Nouveau is a celebration of the end of harvest – and a way to enjoy the fruits of one’s labor…and there’s no better way to welcome the coming of winter – and all its joys and wonderful moments, than to share the night with good food, good friends – and a good Beaujolais Nouveau!

Cheers!