Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2019

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is marked in France on the third Thursday in November (21st) with fireworks, music and festivals. Under French law, the wine is released at 12:01 a.m., just weeks after the wine's grapes have been harvested.

Lovers of light and fresh wines (it is kept at 14 ° C maximum) rejoice are reminded that summer may be a distant memory, but it's always possible to meet again and enjoy a cheerful aperitif!

As every year, lovers of this ritual will philosophize with friends to define the taste of this new vintage. Raspberry, banana, vanilla, berries ... Which aromas will dominate this 2019 vintage? Find out the answer in just a few days time!

The History of Beaujolais Nouveau

On 8 September 1951, a decree published in the Official Journal required that the wines of the appellation of origin (AOC) be sold from 15 December. However, after complaints from wine syndicates, a precise note "under which conditions some wines can be marketed now without waiting for the release of December 15", creating the name "Beaujolais nouveau".

During the fifteen years that followed this law, the launch date of Beaujolais Nouveau was random. In 1967 it was November 15, and then since 1985, it was established as the third Thursday of November.

Where is Beaujolais Noveau from?

The Beaujolais Nouveau, or Beaujolais primeur, is as the name suggests produced in the Beaujolais in France, a 55-kilometre long area between Macon in the north and L'Arbresle, near Lyon, in the south.

This light wine usually has a bright red ruby colour with purple hues. On the palate, it offers fruity, tart and slightly tannic flavours.

Beaujolais Noveau - the rendezvous to remember

If the release of Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated all over the world, the most important events will be held in France, such as in Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu, the historic capital of Beaujolais.

From November 20 to 24, the city will welcome the new vintage with an opening ceremony, tasting courses, a prestige dinner, a night out, a torchlight parade and a gourmet market, etc.

In Villefranche-sur-Saône, runners will be able to participate in the 15th edition of the International Beaujolais Marathon on 23 November, with four race formats: the FFA international marathon label, which starts in Fleurie and takes riders to Villefranche in through 15 Beaujolais villages; the half marathon; the 13 km; relay marathon; and opening the Family Marathon (race of 2.5 or 5 kms), a festive event for even the youngest.

In Lyon, Young Farmers of Beaujolais will celebrate the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveaux 2019, in a festive and fun way. in Place Saint-Jean, in the heart of Lyon on November 20 and 21. The festivities will start on Wednesday at 18:30 with a tasting of Beaujolais appellations, around regional products to eat on the spot. From 23:45, place at the parade of torches and the traditional barrel roll accompanied by the fanfare Beaujol'éfémère, while waiting for the piercing and tasting of Beaujolais Nouveaux 2019, at midnight! On Thursday, winegrowers are also present in Place Saint Jean, from 4pm to 11pm, where a discovery of the terroirs around the 12 appellations of Beaujolais await visitors. An essential meeting point in Lyon!

Finally, Beaujolais Nouveau will be celebrated in Paris at the Louvre Cellars in an evening organized by Vinochromie on Friday, November 22nd.

A dozen wine houses and wine estates will present tastings of their Beaujolais Nouveau and one of their Beaujolais wines, Beaujolais-Villages or Beaujolais crus, from 19h to midnight. As a bonus, an exhibition with twenty retro posters, which have accompanied the annual arrival of the wine for decades.