On the third Thursday of November, we drink Beaujolais
What am I drinking? Louis Tête, Beaujolais Nouveau
Where did I buy it? R&H Fine Wines Liverpool – find it here
I’m going to make this snappy because I’m about to open a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau that I bought to celebrate today!
Every year, on the third Thursday of November, French wineries from the region Beaujolais release wine to be consumed young to enjoy the fresh fruit flavours – in other words, this isn’t a sophisticated wine to mature in your cellar that you’ll pick up complex flavours from. Under French law, the wine is released at 12.01am, just weeks after the wine’s grapes have been harvested.
Made from the Gamay grape, you can expect a very drinkable wine with bold fruity flavours with light body, high acid and low tannins. Glou Glou (translates to glug glug) is a French adage used to describe smooth and drinkable wine – and this is it. You can enjoy fun, popping berry flavours as well as Kirsch, banana, spice and bubble gum.
Typically, today in France there would be celebrations and fireworks. The English celebrations I’ve heard of are made up of boozy breakfasts and a big festivals in Wales with lots of downing wine (!) I’ve pencilled it in for another time, but for now I’m enjoying a bottle of Louis Tête, Beaujolais Nouveau from the comfort of my sofa. I pre-ordered it and it arrived today in accordance with the French law.
I poured it slightly chilled and noticed immediate aromas of bubble gum on the nose. In typical Beaujolais Nouveau fashion, this is a very light wine, both in appearance and mouthfeel. Delicious fresh fruity flavours on the palate – raspberry and strawberry with a hint of blackberry. The finish is very pleasant with just a hint of cinnamon spice. Not a complex wine but well balanced and immensely enjoyable.
Get it whilst it’s hot!
Are you planning on enjoying Beaujolais Nouveau?