The tasting of each year's Beaujolais Nouveau has been a part of my Thanksgiving family celebration for as long as I can remember. Looking outside my door, I see that this unveiling is celebrated locally here at our beaches and throughout the world!
"By French Law, Beaujolais Nouveau is always released on the third Thursday of November all over the world," according to the Georges Duboeuf website. To add to the excitement, "The 2009 harvest in Beaujolais is being called the best vintage in 50 years thanks to perfect weather and growing conditions."
Beaujolais Nouveau is made from Gamay grapes, which have thinner skins than other red wine grapes, making for less tannins. This amount of less tannins also make it necessary to drink the wine while it is young (within 6-12 months) because the tannins are what allows the wines to age gracefully.
The flavor of the wine is light, fresh and fruity - making it the perfect aperitif to your Thanksgiving meal - or any meal in November! It should be served at around 55 degrees - which also contributes to its refreshing quality.
JJ's Liberty Bistro in Ponte Vedra Beach is celebrating this annual event with three nights of dinners. The Beaujolais Nouveau dinners will be held Thursday, November 19 through Saturday, November 21 from 5 -9 p.m. The meal includes pours of champagne and Beaujolais Nouveau, as well as cheeses and pate, dessert and a choice of a traditional French entrée: boeuf bourguignon, fish, coq au vin or moules frites (mussels with fries). The cost is $50 per person and reservations are recommended - call 904-273-7980.
The Ritz-Carlton in Amelia Island also puts on an annual grand event to welcome the new Beaujolais. Since 1991, the resort's Beaujolais Nouveau Festival has kicked off the traditional winter holiday season. Enjoy a heavy reception and unlimited Beaujolais wine on Thursday, November 19th from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $89 and reservations are recommended - 904-277-1100.
Or, how about planning your own dinner around the wine? Beaujolais Nouveau pairs nicely with a wide range of foods, from casual dishes - like burgers - to holiday fare - like turkey and ham. That is another reason that makes its annual release date so perfect. Shop labels like Georges Duboeuf and others at Wine Warehouse in Atlantic Beach and Broudys in Jacksonville Beach. With this beautiful weather - maybe plan an al fresco meal on your deck or patio.
Learn more about Beaujolais Nouveau and wine in general at the Jacksonville Wine Guide where you will also find information about local tastings and wine events.
Cheers to the start of a wonderful holiday season!
Comments
I love your articles. Thanks for keeping us informed with what is going on. I am using my "chef's name" in hopes that you remember me. Hint: I know your husband, Admiral Greg, and we toasted his likness many times on Catalina Island. No, not Robin.
Cheers!! JG
Hi Jose,
Thanks so much for your comment and for reading! I think I remember you - but, it seems like Cuervo might be a more fitting last name?! hee-hee! Catalina Island was grand even though the Admiral wasn't along - but, the little guy was a good stand in for photo-ops!! Cheers and thanks again!
Le nouveau est arrivé!
Open it and swill it with some cheese and fruit and bread, yummy. Is it true that this is a good indication Christina as to the wine crop generally?
Would you recommend finding some "bigger" varietals from known vintners and setting aside a couple cases of those if the nouveau is excellent?
Does the nouveau Beaujolais portend the European crop generally? Do Italian and Spanish wines have a counterpart to the nouveau? Do American vintners do anything similar? Latin American?
Thanks for your column.
Roark
Hi Roark - thanks, as always, for your thoughtful and thought-provoking comments! What a great reader/thinker/foodie you are! I found some information to answer one of your questions from Sarah Martin from Foodeditorials.com - here it is (and more to come!):
"Even though there are Beaujolais wines produced in other countries of the world, the true wine from the Gamay grape comes from France. Wines with this name that come from California are actually made from Pinot Noir grapes. The wineries of the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada, are the closest to the Gamay wines of France and are called the Gamay Droit. There are also wineries in Oregon in the Willamette Wine Region that harvest a form of this grape for use in making wines." Not surprising that the French do it best:) vive le France!
Thanks so much for the links and information! Very helpful :o)
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