by Wilfred Wong
Beaujolais Nouveau is as old as time. It marks the beginning of the new vintage. While it most likely began when the first grapes were crushed into wine, the tradition was really formalized in Beaujolais, where local vignerons (wine makers) horse-buggied the newly made Gamay (aka Gamay à jus Noir) to bistros into the busy metropolis of Lyon, known for its incredible gastronomic passions. Little did the restaurateurs know that the winemakers just wanted to make a quick buck and get fast $$$’s (Francs) into their piggybanks and scurry back to their idyllic homes in Beaujolais. Though we know the winemakers may have stayed a night or two to guzzle their first made wines and gorge on the local comfort food of Lyon.
In the early days, George DuBoeuf formalized it all and put Beaujolais Nouveau on the map. Through his networks , Beaujolais Nouveau was celebrated the world over, in Paris, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and just about every international hotspot. The movement became incredibly popular as the world simultaneously celebrated the new vintage. Over time, the celebration got softer and softer, but has never gone away.
30 years later, we still celebrate the new harvest. In 2010, Brett Wells and I were in Paris on “Nouveau Day” and it was pretty wild. We dined at our favorite Bistro-L’Evasion and drank the night away. The wine went well with the restaurant’s famous roast chicken! The wine was no bargain in Paris, but the moment was priceless. “The 2012 vintage is vibrant, fruit-forward and best served chilled. Despite the short harvest the “quality is excellent!”Georges Duboeuf has proclaimed. “The color is a lovely ruby red with purplish tints. The aromas are very pleasant, dominated by red berries, and on the palate, they are flavorful, subtle, fresh and fruity with good structure and balance,” Duboeuf confirmed. Beaujolais Nouveau is a fun wine simply to drink; goes well with roast turkey and is delicious with traditional Thanksgiving fare. While some folks think the wine is just grape juice, not worthy of words, I say, “Drink a glass, have a slice of turkey and be glad that you are alive.”
The wines go on sale today, Thursday, November 15th.
