Beaujolais Nouveau Day!
Have you ever celebrated Beaujolais Nouveau Day? On the 3rd Thursday of every November, France celebrates – Beaujolais Nouveau Day. At 12:01am (by law!), the year’s vintage is released and the French celebrate with fireworks and parties. In 2014, Beaujolais Day is Thursday November 20. I love the idea of this event, which celebrates the harvest and abundance.
Beaujolais is a region of France known for growing the Gamay grape (from which Beaujolais is made). Gamay is like a cousin of Pinot Noir. There are many rules about how the grapes are grown, when they are harvested. Because it is the first wine of the harvest and made quickly (6-8 weeks as opposed to a traditional 6 – 24 months for other wines), Beaujolais Nouveau is lighter, fruitier and a bit lower in alcohol content.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day offers a fun occasion to invite a few folks over for a wine and cheese party (or even a burger) to celebrate this light, bright, fruity red wine.
Georges Duboeuf Wines are some of the best known and loved Beaujolais on the market. In fact, they are the #1 selling brand in the world and you’ll find it easy to spot their bottles, which each each year feature a different motif.
Is your book club reading something French? Does a get together with the girls before the rush of the holidays sound like fun? Throw a Beaujolais Nouveau Day Party!
Beaujolais Nouveau is a perfect for anything wine. It’s best served slightly chilled (15 minutes in the fridge) which is also appealing to those white wine lovers in your party.
What to serve?
Why not put together a charcuterie and cheese plate with cold cooked meats like salami, ham, and pates? Add fresh radishes, gherkins, and a good crusty baguette with butter to complement the bright fresh flavors. For cheese, anything goes except strongly flavored or heavily aged cheeses. So skip the Blue, and choose from selections like Brie, Gouda, Havarti, or mild cheddar.
For years I have served Beaujolais Nouveau at Thanksgiving dinner. The wine’s light fruity taste is perfect for almost any food – even pizza and burgers.
[sc:adsense ]Need a hostess gift this holiday season? A bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau in a pretty bag and some wine charms or painted glasses will make a fun and seasonal choice. Plus, this wine is meant to be drunk now, not stored in a cellar or on a shelf so your recipient can enjoy right away.
Bon Appetit! Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive!
Have you celebrated Beaujolais Nouveau Day? Plan a party for this year or start planning for next!
This post was sponsored by Georges Duboeuf Wines. They shared information about Beaujolais Nouveau, but all thoughts are my own.
What do you think?