Beaujolais nouveau

What is Beaujolais nouveau?

Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine made from the Gamay grape, grown in the Beaujolais region just north of Lyon. It is bottled only six to eight weeks after harvest, resulting in a bright purple-pink color. The wine is known for its lively, fresh flavors of red fruits like cherry and strawberry, with hints of banana and pear drop. Its style is light, with high acidity and almost no tannin, making it easy to drink and best enjoyed slightly chilled.

Where does Beaujolais nouveau come from?

The tradition of drinking young wine from Beaujolais dates back to the 1800s, when locals would mark the end of the grape harvest by sharing the new vintage. Over time, this custom grew, with wine merchants in Lyon and beyond serving the fresh wine in November. Official rules for when the wine could be sold changed several times, settling in 1985 on the third Thursday of November as the annual release date. The event has since become an international celebration, with races and festivals marking the arrival of the new wine.

How is Beaujolais nouveau made?

Gamay grapes for Beaujolais nouveau are always picked by hand, as required by regional rules. The winemaking process uses carbonic maceration, where whole grapes ferment in a sealed tank filled with carbon dioxide. This method brings out fruit-forward flavors and keeps tannins low. The wine is bottled and shipped quickly, ready for sale just a few weeks after harvest. Only grapes from specific parts of Beaujolais are used, and the wine is not meant to be aged.

How and when is Beaujolais nouveau eaten?

Beaujolais nouveau is typically opened and enjoyed soon after its November release. It is often served slightly chilled, which highlights its fruity and fresh qualities. The wine is a feature at parties and gatherings, especially during Beaujolais Day celebrations in France and abroad. Some chefs use it in cooking, adding a purple tint to dishes like coq au vin and poached pears. It is best consumed within a few months, as it does not improve with time.

Kinds of Beaujolais nouveau

There are two main types: standard Beaujolais nouveau and Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, the latter made from grapes grown in select villages and offering a deeper color and richer flavor. The practice of releasing young wine has inspired similar styles in other French regions and countries, such as Italy and Spain. In Japan, a special version for cats has even been created. Label designs often change each year, with some producers holding contests for new artwork.

What Beaujolais nouveau means

The arrival of Beaujolais nouveau is marked by festivals, tastings, and media coverage, especially in France, Japan, and the UK. The wine's release is seen as a celebration of the harvest and a preview of the year's quality. In places like Swansea, Beaujolais Day is a major event, drawing crowds to bars and restaurants. Producers often use colorful labels and special promotions to mark the occasion, making it a highlight of the wine calendar.

Questions people ask about Beaujolais nouveau

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Why is Swansea leading a Beaujolais Day revival?BBC, Article
• Beaujolais Day: Why is it such a big deal in Swansea?BBC, Article
• ‘It’s fabulous’: Swansea on cloud wine for Beaujolais Nouveau DayThe Guardian, Article

• Beaujolais nouveau on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data