On Saturday night at a party, I spoke to numerous people. A common thread was the confusion of what to drink in this beautiful weather? The sun might be shining but many were bored with white wine, didn’t like rose but weren’t quite ready to ditch the Summer tinted glasses and move onto red wine !
‘What about a chilled red?’, I suggested. To many, they hadn’t even considered it.
Having spent a long time in Europe, it is common place for me, however in the UK many of us don’t even consider this option and a lot of you may be pleasantly surprised. Even the non-red wine drinkers amongst you- honestly!
Do you remember that sketch from Only Fool and Horses, when DelBoy leant against the bar and fell through? He was quaffing some Beaujolais Nouveau in the yuppy wine bar….hilarious! Unfortunately the ’80′s’ image took Beaujolais with it laughing.
Beaujolais itself is a very low tannin, lightweight, purple/pink and fruity wine. It can be served (best) chilled, at around 13 degrees. It’s made from the Gamay grape. Banana, figs and pear drops on the palate. Go on, give it a try!
But what I want to do is get behind a revival of the Beaujolais Nouveau party! Massive now with a cult following in Japan and the US- let’s take it back with both hands people..
At the strike of midnight on the third Thursday of every November, France erupts in massive celebration in honour of the unveiling (or should we say uncorking) of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine.
Beaujolais Nouveau, which is a young wine (only 6 weeks old) comes from a region south of Burgundy in France. It’s rumoured that the light-bodied and fruity wine must be finished by Christmas time and the French government has put regulations delaying the wine’s release until the third week in November. This means the arrival of the new Beaujolais is warmly welcomed in France. All over the country, grand traditions have developed in honour of the release of the Beaujolais, with the biggest festival taking place in Beaujeu, the capital of the Beaujolais region.
Huge barrels are opened to much fanfare and party-goers indulge in the new wine for the festival’s 3 day duration. Other areas in France also boisterously celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau. In Paris, restaurants and bistros host their Beaujolais Nouveau parties, staying open through the night and uncorking hundreds of bottles after midnight. Wherever you may be traveling in France, this is a great night to celebrate life, wine, and a grand French tradition.
In Japan thet can’t get enough of the parties! the picture is of a Japanese party where they are literally bathing in it…the hype is extraordinary! In London, there are ’vin de primeur’ events but we have a great opportunity to hold our own parties and bring some sunshine to what usually is a gloomy month.
So, get planning, get your invites out, tell your friends and get ready for an entirely new experience! The third Thursday of November, put it in your diary. Watch this space for more news on the ‘B-N’ party time!
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