Each year on the third Thursday of November a unique wine is released and celebrated around the world. This is known as Nouveau Beaujolais and began as a way for Beaujolais producers to get people and the industry aware of the potential of the current Beaujolais vintage. Around the world shops and restaurants are required to keep their Beaujolais wines under wraps until 12.01am on the third Thursday of November, when the wines are allowed to be poured and enjoyed.

For 2016, the Beaujolais Nouveau Day takes place Thursday November 17.

The Nouveau Beaujolais tradition began as a result of producers wanting people to be aware of the potential of new Beaujolais vintage months down the road. Of course, the Beaujolais  Nouveau celebrations are particularly well-known in France, but wine enthusiasts and wine lovers can find these celebrations in other countries.

According to the Beaujolais Nouveau Day website, “The wine actually originated about a century ago as a cheap and cheerful drink produced by locals to celebrate the end of the harvest season. The idea of a race to Paris carrying the first bottles of the new vintage was conceived and this attracted much media attention. By the 1970s, the race became a national event. The races spread to neighbouring countries in Europe in the 1980s, followed by North America, and in the 1990s, to Asia.”

Need to Know:

• According to French law, the Beaujolais Nouveau wine is to be released each year at 12:01am on the third Thursday of November
• The Beaujolais Nouveau wine are young, tend to be fruity without tannins.
• These wines are not intended to be aged but should be enjoyed soon.
• In France, Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated with festivities including music and fireworks.
• Beaujolais Nouveau is produced with the Gamay grape variety.
• Grapes in the Beaujolais region are harvested by hand.

Beaujolais Nouveau Celebrations

Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Festival
Date: November 18
Location: Seattle, Washington
Sponsored by French-American Chamber of Commerce of the Pacific Northwest
Website Information

16th Annual Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau 2016
(features a 3-course menu)
Date: Thursday, November 17
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
Website Information

Child Link’s Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Fest
Date: Thursday, November 17
Location: LaGrange, Illinois
Website Information

Beaujolais Nouveau Party
Date: November 19
Location: New York, NY
Website Information

Beaujolais and Beyond Festival
Date: Thursday, November 17
Location: Denver, Colorado
Website Information

As Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2016 quickly approaches, check out festivities that may be taking place in your neighborhood.

Cheers!
Kathy