Is this even on your radar?
Did you know the 3rd Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day? No idea what that is? You’re not alone! It wasn't until I started studying wine, that I learned about it and got to try these underrated wines that are not on most people’s radar. (But should be!)
I think it aligns perfectly with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday (or any upcoming meal that will have many different flavor profiles on one table.) It can be a challenge to find one bottle (or three) that pair well with everything from your charcuterie board, to grandmas cranberry relish and mom’s sweet potato crisp- but if anyone can do it, this “bottled happiness” made from the gamay grape can. With Thanksgiving gatherings looking a little different for most this year and less people at the table, less bottles will be opened and it becomes more important to find the unicorn bottles that can get the job done from soup to nuts (is that where that saying came from??)
A category of wines that deserves more attention are the Beaujolais wines of France. Light, fruity, fresh and approachable and very affordable, they are often bottled quickly and meant to drink young, especially Beaujolais Nouveau.
I just went Live on my FB page to share the need to know info about these wines and what makes them so unique and exciting. Missed my video? Check out my video here!
Historically, there was a race to see which producers could release this highly quaffable (is that even a word? It should be) light red wines to market. They can range from simple to complex… and are fantastic and affordable- and so fun to try! They are also generally lower in alcohol, which means we can drink more of them…
In my tasting today I tried wines from the 2nd and 3rd of 3 categories of Beaujolais- which are generally speaking higher quality (and price) as you go from:
Beaujolais (which includes Beaujolais Nouveau- a wine released only 7-9 weeks after harvest)
Beaujolais-Villages
Beaujolais Cru (which rarely has the word Beaujolais on the label)
Today's wines:
1.2019 Beaujolais- Village
“Grandes Terres”
Quentin Harel
12.5% ABV
$18.49
2. 2018 Côte De Brouilly
Sas Jean-Claude Lapalu
12.5% ABV
$26.99
Check out the video for my notes on both!
Head to your local wine shop this Thursday 11/19 and see what you can find! I'd love to hear what you think. And if you have friends or family that you would enjoy "sipping" with us, feel free to share this link with them so they can join the community! https://adept-architect-9318.ck.page
Sip well,
Nikki