Nouveau Beaujolais
This Thursday
So if you know me you know that I'm a Francophile. Half a dozen years living in several places throughout France has marked and shaped me in ways that I still don't fully grasp. This Thursday is a fun French culture event. It's Nouveau Beaujolais day. The new harvest of Beaujolais wine is released every year on the same day in every country on the planet. YES, the third Thursday of November is the day that the new year of Beaujolais goes on sale. This year it's jeudi le 15 novembre, or Thursday 11/15.
It's a young wine, the first uncorked in the "wine season," not necessarily the greatest, but it is great fun. In Paris - and throughout France even here in French restaurants - there is a special menu created on this Thursday. Everything is paired with the new wine released in these special 24 hours, an invitation to celebrate life, the coming of Winter, the end of the Harvest, the fruits of the Earth, good friends, la bonne cuisine and all that stuff. Usually the weekend after the third Thursday you might be invited to friends' home for lunch and dinner, with each meal seeking to show off, pair with and celebrate the new Beaujolais.
Here's some links to learn more:
(one of the big makers of Beaujolais)
includes a count-down clock
party tips
and a link to find parties and public tastings scheduled for Thursday.
In Oakland I buy mine at Bev&Mo and Cost Plus at Jack London Square. They also have better varieties at Montclair Village Wines. Leave a comment if you have any other places to suggest.
We're pairing the wine with Beef Bourginon at our dinner party this year.
Chin Chin!
2 comments:
Monte, there is an event in our neighborhood at Cafe Fanny this Saturday. Always good food and I guess wine.
Check it out: http://www.kermitlynch.com/0711-November2007.pdf
FUN! Are you going?
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