What is Beaujolais nouveau?

This custom is the brainchild of the Beaujolais region and one man, George Duboeuf, who popularized and internationalized it. But Beaujolais Nouveau, a victim of its own success, is far from the only new wine sold on the 3rd Thursday in November.

The birth of vin primeur

Since the 19th century, the Beaujolais region had been using winemaking techniques to produce young wines to be consumed soon after the harvest. During the German occupation, supply shortages meant that the release of primeur wines was staggered, hampering their commercialization. A few years after the end of the Second World War, a decree authorized the marketing of French wine from December 15. This date did not suit the Beaujolais winegrowers, who lobbied institutions to bring the date forward to November 13. In 1951, Beaujolais Nouveau was introduced. From 1967 to 1984, the release of this primeur wine was regulated on a fixed date, November 15. In 1985, institutions opted for a floating date, corresponding to the third Thursday in November, to avoid the event coinciding with the weekend.

How do you preserve Beaujolais Nouveau?

Beaujolais is not a wine for laying down (although it's an interesting experiment, as Beaujolais Nouveaux are full of surprises! ), it can be kept for a maximum of 6 months and disappears from the shelves after a few weeks. There's no need to keep it in your cellar - it's better to drink it quickly !

More and more new wines

Although Beaujolais Nouveau remains the most famous and best-selling new wine, there are now other new wines, both French and foreign. In France, these wines can be consumed from the 3rd Thursday in November, and the label must mention the qualification"nouveau" or"primeur", as well as theyear of harvest. These primeur wines are available in red, white or rosé.

For most of these cuvées, the vinification method is essentially the same as in Beaujolais: carbonic or semi-carbonic maceration. For this type of wine, the choice of a suitable grape variety is essential.

Gamay has proved its worth in many other appellations, such as Gaillac and Touraine. Grenache and Carignan are preferred in Languedoc and Rhône Valley wines.

Beaujolais Nouveau and other new French wines

• For reds, choose from several AOCs: beaujolais, beaujolais villages, touraine, anjou, gaillac, coteaux du Lyonnais, côtes du Roussillon, coteaux du Tricastin, côtes du Ventoux, coteaux du Languedoc, côtes du Rhône (only served in cafés).
• For rosé, there's no shortage of appellations: beaujolais, beaujolais followed by the name of the commune of origin, beaujolais villages, mâcon, côtes du Rhône, tavel, coteaux du Tricastin, côtes du Ventoux, coteaux du Languedoc, touraine, rosé d'Anjou, cabernet d'Anjou, cabernet de Saumur, coteaux du Lyonnais, côtes du Roussillon.
• In white, there are also AOCs offering new wines: bourgogne, bourgogne grand ordinaire, bourgogne aligoté, mâcon, mâcon supérieur, mâcon followed by the commune of origin, mâcon villages, coteaux du Tricastin, côtes du Ventoux, muscadet, gaillac, coteaux du Lyonnais, côtes du Roussillon.

Today ..

Today, consumers are rediscovering the wines of this region thanks to winemakers who promote their terroir and know-how, as well as environmentally-friendly viticulture. They are also committed to maintaining the Beaujolais Nouveau wine tradition as an important seasonal festive event.