Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a French holiday celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November, which falls on November 21 this year. Because it is close to Thanksgiving, many Americans pick this bright red wine with a fresh, fruity flavor to go with their holiday meal. The wine is made using the purple Gamay grape, grown only in the Beaujolais region of Burgundy, and is fermented for just a few weeks. This makes it a ‘nouveau’ or ‘new wine,’ one that is harvested and sold within the same year. Beaujolais farmers began celebrating the harvest in the 19th century.
History of Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Although the Beaujolais Nouveau harvest has been celebrated for centuries, this locally produced wine remained largely unknown outside its region until after World War II. Initially, it was released for sale every year on December 15.
However, in 1951, the Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins du Beaujolais (U.I.V.B.) moved the date up to November 15. Winemaker and entrepreneur Georges Duboeuf played a significant role in popularizing this youthful and lively wine.
In the 1970s, Georges Duboeuf led a campaign to promote Beaujolais Nouveau in France, captivating the public with the slogan “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!”.
By 1985, the wine had become so popular across Europe that the release date was changed to the third Thursday of November to align with the weekend. In the 1990s, the wine reached America, and the rest, as they say, is history!
The timing could not have been better for America. With the holiday landing the week before Thanksgiving, Beaujolais Nouveau has become a popular choice to pair with roast turkey and cranberry sauce.
In its home country, the wine has also gained culinary significance, inspiring French chefs to create variations of traditional Burgundy dishes like Coq au Vin and poached pears.
When it comes to wines, Beaujolais Nouveau is definitely on the simpler side. Wine critic Karen MacNeil compares it to the fun of eating cookie dough, saying, “Drinking it gives you the same kind of silly pleasure.”
However, there’s no mistaking its purpose—Beaujolais Nouveau is all about celebrating the harvest, with the excitement focused on the idea of something fresh and new.
| 1960s (First Past The Post) | English clubs hold races in which drivers compete to be the first to deliver Beaujolais Nouveau when it is released. |
| 1962 (The Welsh Connection) | Swansea’s No Sign Bar helps to popularize Beaujolais Nouveau in Great Britain. |
| 1972 (Slow and Steady) | Minneapolis became only the second city in the United States after New York to import the wine. |
| 2005 (À ta Santé!) | The official slogan is changed to “It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time!” |
5 Interesting Facts About Beaujolais Nouveau
- Rapid Production and Release: Beaujolais Nouveau is known for its quick turnaround from grape to bottle. The wine is released just weeks after the Gamay grapes are harvested, often around mid-November, in time for the official Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which is celebrated on the third Thursday of November.
- Light and Fruity Flavor: Unlike many other red wines, Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be enjoyed young and fresh. It has a light, fruity flavor profile with notes of red berries, bananas, and even a hint of bubblegum, resulting from a unique fermentation process called carbonic maceration.
- Massive Popularity and Festivity: The release of Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated with great fanfare in France and around the world. The annual event has become a global celebration, with festivals, tastings, and parties marking the arrival of the new vintage.
- A Short Shelf Life: Beaujolais Nouveau is not a wine meant for aging. Due to its production process and light body, it’s best consumed within a few months of its release. The wine’s freshness and lively character are its main attractions, making it a popular choice for immediate consumption.
- Strict Production Rules: The production of Beaujolais Nouveau is governed by strict regulations. The grapes must be harvested by hand, and the wine can only be made from the Gamay grape variety grown in the Beaujolais region of France. Additionally, only about one-third of the entire Beaujolais wine production is dedicated to Beaujolais Nouveau.
Conclusion
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is more than just a celebration of wine; it’s a vibrant cultural event that unites people across the globe in a shared appreciation of freshness, tradition, and the joy of harvest.
From its roots in the Beaujolais region of France to its widespread popularity in the U.S. and beyond, this light and fruity wine has become synonymous with festivity and culinary creativity. Whether paired with Thanksgiving turkey or enjoyed on its own, Beaujolais Nouveau offers a unique, fleeting experience each year, reminding us to savor the simple pleasures of life as we raise our glasses to new beginnings.
Frequently Ask Question
What is Beaujolais Nouveau Day?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a French holiday celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November. It marks the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a young and fruity red wine made from the Gamay grape.
When is Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebrated?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated on the third Thursday of November. This year, it falls on November 21.
Why is Beaujolais Nouveau considered a ‘new wine’?
Beaujolais Nouveau is called a ‘new wine’ because it is fermented for just a few weeks after the Gamay grapes are harvested and is sold within the same year. This rapid turnaround from grape to bottle is what makes it unique.
How did Beaujolais Nouveau Day originate?
The tradition of celebrating the Beaujolais harvest dates back to the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until after World War II that Beaujolais Nouveau began to gain popularity outside the Beaujolais region. The wine’s release date was initially set for December 15 but was moved to November 15 in 1951, and later to the third Thursday of November in 1985 to align with the weekend.
Who played a key role in popularizing Beaujolais Nouveau?
Winemaker Georges Duboeuf was instrumental in popularizing Beaujolais Nouveau. In the 1970s, he launched a successful campaign in France, introducing the famous slogan “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” which helped boost the wine’s popularity.
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