Beaujolais Nouveau is back!

Sep 19, 2024

written by team member Danielle

What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau is the new red wine from the first harvest of Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France.

What makes it special?
It’s one of only a handful of wines produced, bottled, and released within a few weeks of harvest, which gives it lots of instant drinkability.

What does it taste like?
Each year it will taste slightly different depending on the weather the Beaujolais region has experienced but it is always fresh and fruity with cherry, strawberry and raspberry flavours.

How should I drink it?
You’ll want to chill the wine for about 15 minutes in the fridge before drinking it, as this will enhance the fresh fruit flavours. Drink within a few months of release too, as the wine has almost no tannins, one of the main preservatives of red wine.

Interesting facts about Beaujolais Nouveau…

The Beaujolais Run began in 1970 as a race between Joseph Berkmann (restauranteur and wine writer) and Clement Freud (politician and wine writer) as to who could get back to London from Beaujolais with a car full of the Nouveau first. More and more people got involved, methods of transport became more outlandish, with the winning time eventually being made a few years later by an RAF Harrier jump jet.

The release date has moved a lot over the years, traditionally “primeur” wines could only be released after the 15th of December, then in the 1950’s it moved to the 15th November and finally in 1985, it was decreed that the third Thursday of November should be the official release day.

Legendary Beaujolais winemaker Georges Duboeuf did a lot to promote Beaujolais Nouveau around the world and is often credited with the phrase “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivée”!

A spa in Japan holds an annual event where visitors can bathe in Beaujolais Nouveau whilst enjoying a glass.

To make sure that we can get your Beaujolais Nouveau to you in time for the third Thursday in November (the 21st this year) we need to be ready to sprint out of the starting blocks! Please place your pre-order by Monday 1st October by clicking the image below. Kindly note that there will be NO stock available to purchase after this date, online or in store.