Today I am celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau Day! This national french holiday, celebrated on the third Thursday of November, honours the uncorking of Beaujolais wine, a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France.
This cherry-coloured wine is meant to be consumed young, approximately a few weeks after the grapes were harvested. It is clearly not for wine snobs, since it’s the result of a quick fermentation process. Rather than a full-bodied red wine that wine connoisseurs are accustomed to, this wine is clean, soft and fruity, and light-tasting. Plus, it’s fairly inexpensive, usually selling for $10-$12 a bottle.
Critics might deign the wine to be cheap and uninteresting, yet it’s still popular among tourists, and the French of course. This day gathers many wine lovers from around the world, who visit France just to get a taste of the Beaujolais Nouveau offered for the year. Beaujolais Nouveau Day isn’t simply the uncorking of a bottle and a quick ‘a votre santé’ and a sip of wine. It’s a full on party, with a long list of festivities and events, all dedicated to wine.
Nineteen years ago, I had the opportunity to take part (unbeknownst to me) in the Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations. In my second year of university I participated in an exchange program and spent the year abroad in Nice, studying the french culture and learning the language (read: not studying much, partying until the wee hours, talking in english with my Canadian roommates, eating cheese and baguettes, and drinking a TON of wine). At only 20 years old, I had a close-to-nil knowledge of wine. For me, a wine was acceptable as long as it was cheap. Coincidentally, I spent nowhere near a fortune on the glasses and glasses of wine that I consumed on Wednesday nights at Chez Wayne’s, our favourite hangout in Vieux Nice.
I clearly remember that day in November and all the buzz about some ‘new’ wine being introduced. Vintage signs that upsold the wine lined the entrances to all the épiceries, and the excited chatter of locals and tourists permeated through the streets. To be honest, this unknown holiday meant nothing to my fellow expats and I, nor did we care to question its relevance. We did however, buy a bottle of Beaujolais wine and met our french friends for drinks that night. Years later, the entire Beaujolais Nouveaux experience is now a blur in my mind however, not due to the wine that night. It was our own doing unfortunately, thanks to our complete lack of culture at the time.
In retrospect, I regret not having better appreciated this national French holiday. In honour of Beaujolais Nouveau Day today, I’ll celebrate by picking up a bottle of Beaujolais wine, just for old time’s sake. I’ll spend a cozy night in, sipping my wine, going through my scrapbooks, and reminiscing about one of the best years of my life. When I lift my glass I’ll silently acknowledge my Niçois friends with an ‘a votre santé’ and thank them (for the umpteenth time) for introducing me to the french culture, cheese and baguettes, (pan bagnat), the Côte d’Azur, Chez Wayne’s, and for Beaujolais!
Now that sounds like an awesome holiday. I don’t drink wine myself, but I think it’s so cool to have a holiday like this. Your trip sounded really fun, too and I’m glad you had to opportunity to partake!
I have recently gotten into wine after years of saying I don’t like it lol. I am learning that I like slightly sweet and fruity wines. I don’t really like dry wine too much. I haven’t heard of this but I will try this wine for sure. Sounds like you had a lot of fun.
I haven’t heard of this wine before! I prefer wines that are light and fruity, so this is one I might actually enjoy. How neat that you had the opportunity to participate in an exchange program! It sounds like it was a wonderful and enriching experience! (One with lots of delicious food and wine…and great friends!)
I had not heard of the holiday or wine but both sound so great! Celebrating any holiday with a good bottle of wine is always fantastic! I will definitely try it out!
Now this is a day I want to celebrate. I read somewhere in France they have a wine fountain sort of like a water fountain. I think it was connected to this holiday. Have you heard anything about it? I think it’s cool.
I haven’t heard of this wine or this holiday but who really needs an excuse to celebrate something with wine?? We love wine for all occasions and that one looks good!!
CHEERS! Not that I needed a reason but I will take it! HAHAHA I actually enjoy pretty much any kind of wine but my best friend’s FAVORITE is Beaujolais Nouveau.
Personally not a fan of Beaujolais nouveau but I am a fan of any excuse to drink wine! The French certainly do know how to have a good time.
Yes, they do! And I don’t remember ‘loving’ it either!
What a wonderful holiday! One that I would be totally on board with! I’d love to try that young wine! What a beautiful cherry color it has! Cheers!
Haha! Glad I introduced you to it Heather 😉
Love that some e card! I have never heard of this special day but I’ll take an occassion to party mid-week! Sounds like a lot of fun!