Why is Beaujolais Nouveaux important for the French wine industry ? Here is all you need to know about Beaujolais Nouveaux – the first wine after harvest.
The Story
When the light is fading and the days are getting shorter, what would November be without Beaujolais Nouveau? It’s hard to say as these wines have become over time the unmissable encounter at the start of winter. On the third Thursday in November, the Beaujolais Nouveaux appears to transform the greyness of the moment into shared gluttony.
It was during the month of November, 1951 that the fate of Beaujolais changed. Two months earlier, a decree had banned the sale of AOC wines before December 15 of the year of harvest. In the face of protests, an official note quickly restored the marketing of certain wines before this deadline, on condition that the mention “Nouveau” (New) was added. Great news for those who make their wine with Gamay! While these grapes make excellent wines for laying down, Beaujolais winegrowers have also long known how to vinify young wines that delight the palate.
Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages Nouveaux are the wines that herald the new vintage. Two appellations of the Beaujolais vineyard continued this adventure: AOC Beaujolais and AOC Beaujolais-Villages. Today, 3,000 estates and houses are working with passion to offer an explosion of youth in November, an early wine that supports no barriers or borders. A symbol of sharing and conviviality, each wine imparts unique pleasure which reflects the personality of each winemaker.
5 ways to grab a Beaujolais
The arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau is a real tradition that dates back to 1951. In 70 years, lovers of these new wines have developed rituals. Here are 5 tips for tasting the 2021 vintage as it should!
Score the occasion on the 3rd Thursday of November
The Beaujolais New 2021 is on November 18! Like every year, the early wines can be consumed from the 3rd Thursday in November. It is customary therefore that we discover new wine on D-Day.
Keep bottles until the following spring
Even if Beaujolais Nouveau arrives on the 3rd Thursday in November, they can be enjoyed throughout the following year. In Beaujolais, we like to keep a few new wines for the end of year celebrations and other bottles for spring barbecues.
Beaujolais Nouveau is a gateway to the vineyard
It is indeed the first wine to come out after the harvest. While they are very different from other wines produced in Beaujolais, early wines are very popular for getting a first idea of the vintage.
Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau even abroad
Beaujolais Nouveau is tasted in around a hundred countries. You can also toast Beaujolais on the 3rd Thursday of November in Tokyo, New York or Seoul!
Taste a whole selection of Beaujolais Nouveaux
Each Beaujolais Nouveau reflects the know-how of the winemaker who made it. So do not hesitate to taste wines from different properties. Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais Villages Nouveau, rosé wines, sulphur-free wines, organic wines, natural wines et cetera; you will be surprised at the variety you will encounter.
Taste it the right way
Like all wines, Beaujolais Nouveau has an ideal temperature to be tasted! Why would you want to drink wines at a certain temperature: because that’s how they are at their best! In the case of Beaujolais Nouveau, there are red and rosé wines. The Beaujolais New reds are of course the best known, but over the past ten years or so, Beaujolais Nouveau rosés have come into the limelight as well. For red early wines, the optimal range is between 14 and 16 ° C. For Beaujolais New Rosés, the ideal tasting temperature is significantly lower, between 8 and 10 ° C. This is where you will best feel the fruitiness of these delicate pink wines.
As Beaujolais Nouveaux is a vin de primeurs and sold for a short duration, please do not forget to reserve yours with us for the season or the next! Contact us at contact@winepalette.eu for further information. Meanwhile, try these Beaujolais we have to offer https://www.winepalette.eu/wines/?filter_region=beaujolais
Source : https://www.beaujolaisnouveau.fr/