In Thanksgiving of Beaujolais Nouveau!

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With summer a distant memory, all eyes are firmly trained on the upcoming festive season. Yet between the ‘Bêtises ou Friandises’ of October 31st, and the much-anticipated visit of Père Noël in December, there is plenty to celebrate in France this November – particularly for lovers of fruity reds.

Of course, we’re talking about the official world-wide release date of the Beaujolais Nouveau 2024. An annual event, taking place on the third Thursday in November, this year’s date falls on November 21st.

Grown in the Beaujolais region of north-eastern France, legally, there are only 12 appellations within Burgundy meeting the production criteria to grow the grapes for this iconic wine. A fascinating wine, with celebrations held in its honour worldwide, here are some fascinating facts for those wishing to join in the revelries this November.

Globally Renowned

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Globally Renowned

Thanks to a clever marketing campaign dating back to the mid-1900s, Beaujolais Nouveau – and in particular the annual festival Beaujolais Nouveau – has become somewhat of a global phenomenon.

In the 1950s, a competition was held to see who could be the first to transport a case of Beaujolais Nouveau to Paris. In the 1970s, thanks to the efforts of winemaker Georges Duboeuf, this race became a national event, receiving international attention from then on.

Nowadays the race is for wine lovers to be the first to claim receipt of the freshly released, highly prized bottles. Beaujolais Nouveau Day is revered around the world – from tastings to festivals, as far afield as Japan and the United States.

Discover the subtleties

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Discover the subtleties ©beaujolais.com

‘The World’s Fastest Wine’

As its name suggests, Beaujolais Nouveau is a very young wine, bottled within a mere 6-8 weeks of harvest. The vineyard turnaround to ship millions of the bottles around the world in time for the third Thursday in November is no mean feat!

Not a Pinot Noir

Though light-bodied like the Pinot Noir, Beaujolais Nouveau is made from a different grape, the Gamay grape. Thin skinned and low in tannins, this grape produces a light and mellow wine, with a bright garnet colour, that smacks of juicy red fruits such as cherries, raspberries and strawberries.

Savour the Moment

Beaujolais Nouveau is a tipple to be enjoyed in the moment, not to be saved for a rainy day or special occasions. Unlike other wines, Beaujolais Nouveau is not designed to be aged and should be imbibed within the year.

Love it or Loathe it?

With fame can come controversy, and there are some critics who condemn Beaujolais Nouveau for its over commercialisation and simplicity.

Versatile on the Palate

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Versatile on the Palate

A tipple best served slightly chilled, the ideal temperature for serving Beaujolais Nouveau is between 15 and 17 ℃. While its critics malign Beaujolais Nouveau for its simplicity, the truth is, this quaffable drop can be enjoyed with an assortment of accompaniments and you really can’t go wrong with a platter of fantastic French cheeses and an accompaniment of charcuterie.

Also ideal for cooking, add a slosh or two to your Coq au Vin and poached pears for a mouthwatering deep purple sauce or jus.

How should I celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau?

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How to Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau

Beaujolais Nouveau Day, taking place annually on the third Thursday of November, coincides marvellously well with Thanksgiving celebrations in the US. Why not pop open a bottle or two to accompany your turkey dinner?

At Beaujeu, the historical capital of the Beaujolais region, Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated with the five-day festival of Les Sarmentelles, taking place across vineyards and including a range of tastings, music events, dinners and cafes.

A huge celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage, the torchlight parade, midnight uncorking ceremony and symbolic burning of the vine prunings in a gesture of renewal and preparation for the coming year’s harvest are must-see events.

Join us

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With our cruises running until the end of October / early November, why not share a magical moment, and a bottle of wine, aboard the C’est la Vie on your luxury barge cruise holiday in France, taking in all the wonderful festivals and events around your trip.