Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrivé

The tiny French region of Beaujolais is located just north of France’s “gastronomic capital,” the city of Lyon. At just 34 miles long and 7 to 9 miles wide, this little corner of France can be thought of as the least expensive house on a very pricey block. This is a good thing for wine lovers, as some of France’s absolute best values can be found in Beaujolais. 

Beaujolais Nouveau is a specific bottling that is released annually on the third Thursday of November. It is made only from Gamay grapes, and it is meant as a celebration of the conclusion of that year’s harvest. Nouveau is made using “carbonic maceration”, where most of the fermenting takes place while the grape is still intact. Carbon dioxide is pumped into a sealed vessel filled with whole cluster grapes. The fermentation process then takes place inside the berry. After a few days, the berries die. The wine then finishes fermenting the traditional way. 

The resulting wines are low in tannin and very fruity. This is always the intention with Nouveau, as the grapes used in production are bottled only 6-8 weeks after harvest. What they’re going for is youth and delicacy. Beaujolais Nouveau wines are very distinctive in this regard. Their aromas are some of the most spirited you can inhale: bubblegum, bananas, raspberries and strawberry milkshake. Serve it slightly chilled and with people who lift your spirits.

Nouveau is a celebratory icon, but the region has plenty more to offer. Cru Beaujolais are worshipped in Sommelier culture as some of the most food-friendly, drinkable and surprisingly ageable wines in the world. The region is home to ten “Cru”, each possessing a unique personality. They range from floral and fruity to deep, woodsy and powerful. 

As a whole they are high in acid, making them ideal for food pairing. Look for a Cru Morgon as a price and taste bud-friendly place to start exploring the Cru of Beaujolais. Typically a plump red, their bright notes of plum and red cherry will develop into secondary flavors of wild mushroom, sagebrush and game. These wines are also 100% Gamay, If you search hard enough, you may happen across a Chardonnay from Beaujolais; this grape makes up just 5% of the region’s total production.