La Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau

Each year in France, at precisely one past midnight on the third Thursday of November, one of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world begins: the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine each fall.

Historically, there was a race to get the first bottle. People would parachute into France at midnight for a chance to be the first to get a bottle. Each fall the new Beaujolais would arrive with much fanfare. It was wine made fast to drink while the better Beaujolais was taking a more leisurely course to developing a richer finish. Eventually, the government stepped in to regulate the sale of all this quickly transported, free-flowing wine.

When midnight strikes on the third Thursday of November, bars, restaurants, bistros and pubs around the world can begin serving the new wine of the harvest. Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. It is the most popular vin primeur, fermented for just a few weeks before being released. The method of production means that there is very little tannin, and the wine can be dominated by such fruity ester flavours as banana, grape, strawberry, fig and pear drop.

In France, small villages and big cities alike celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau by organising tastings, often on the main streets or plaza. Because Beaujolais Nouveau is the first harvest of the year, it is said that if it’s good, then the rest of the season will be good as well – and that’s something worth celebrating!

Now celebrated each year around the globe, the Beaujolais Nouveau 2013 will soon land at the Alliance Française de Charlottesville for an aperitif evening celebration with a delicious French buffet. Come!

If you would like to come join us for a great evening in a beautiful setting, and would like more information, click on this link.