"Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé" wrote René Fallet in 1975, and it's a tradition the French wouldn't miss for the world. On November 16, 2023, Beaujolais nouveau is set to return to the bars and restaurants of Paris. But why exactly do we celebrate thearrival of Beaujolais nouveau every year, on the third Thursday in November?
This tradition is actually quite recent. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Beaujolais wine region struggled to recover from the conflict and find new consumers. Especially with the decree of March 11, 1951, published in the Journal Officiel, which states that "producers are not authorized to release from their cellars wines from the 1951 harvest benefiting from the appellation d'origine contrôlée until December 15, 1951" .
But the winegrowers didn't see it that way, and wanted to sell their production earlier. TheUnion Viticole du Beaujolais requested the possibility of selling its wines "en primeur", i.e. before December 15. The request was accepted by the administration on November 13 of that year, and an administrative note was published, specifying the conditions "under which certain AOC wines may be marketed from now on without waiting for the general release on December 15. Thus was born the tradition of selling this Beaujolais primeur under the appellation Beaujolais nouveau.
Only lightly macerated wines marketed before December 15 are covered by this appellation. But it wasn't until 1985 that the third Thursday in November was chosen for the release of Beaujolais nouveau, making this clever beverage the only French wine, despite its young age, to benefit from an annual celebration!
Fruity, uncomplicated and low in tannin, Beaujolais Nouveau is produced in large quantities at low prices. It's also made to be consumed quickly after harvest. With its aromas of red fruit, sometimes even banana, and its bright red color, it is recommended to be consumed fresh and drunk within the first few months after bottling, as it is not designed to age.
Today, the Beaujolais Nouveau tradition has spread beyond France's borders, exporting with great success to the United States and Asia, where half the production leaves every year. Because of the time difference, the Japanese are even the first to uncork bottles of Beaujolais nouveau every year! An unrivalled French tradition!
Where to celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau 2023 in Paris?
Beaujolais Nouveau 2023 arrives in Paris and across France on Thursday, November 16. Find out more about the bars and restaurants in the capital where you can enjoy this annual cuvée. Are we taking bets on the fruity flavor of the year? [Read more]
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Where to celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau 2023 in Paris?
