What is so special about Beaujolais Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, also known as whole-berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the grapes without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.
What is Le Beaujolais Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France. But it is so much more than just a bottle of wine. Beaujolais Nouveau is a day, a celebration and a global phenomenon every single November.
When Did Beaujolais Nouveau start?
For 34 years starting in 1951, November 15 was the official release date, but it seems to have been a calculated decision in 1985 when the Beaujolais regional government decided that the big day, always, would be a Thursday—a day when party-prone people are more likely to jumpstart their weekend.
Do you refrigerate Beaujolais?
Avoid the fridge!
Beaujolais likes to be cool, as we have seen, but not cold. Avoid using the fridge for longer than an hour otherwise you will mute the flavours and impede the characteristics of the wine.
When should you drink Beaujolais?
Given that Beaujolais is light and fruit-driven, most wines are best consumed within the first year or two of bottling (apart from Beaujolais Nouveau, which should be consumed as soon as possible). The best cru Beaujolais, however, is capable of aging for up to 10 years.
How do you drink Beaujolais Nouveau?
Serve It Chilled. The light body and fruit-forward profile of Beaujolais Nouveau – or any Gamay – lends itself to drinking with a slight chill. It’s recommended that most red wines are drunk at cellar temperature, between 53-65°F (12-18°C).
Do French drink Beaujolais?
The Beaujolais wine region, south of Burgundy, is home to fresh, fruit-driven red wines. Beaujolais is one of the most familiar regions in France, but ironically, the wine it’s most famous for isn’t even close to its best.
When should you drink Beaujolais Nouveau?
What is the best way to serve Beaujolais?
Beaujolais crus are best drunk at between 15°C and 17°C, especially for the well structured crus like Moulin-à-Vent, Morgon, Juliénas and Chénas; 17°C is recommended for wines over 3 years old. Younger wines need to be cooler: Beaujolais Nouveau and Beaujolais Villages Nouveau live up to expectations at 12°C.
What do you eat Beaujolais with?
Our 5 All-time Favorite Beaujolais Pairings
- Fleurie + Roasted Chicken.
- Morgon + Steak Frites.
- Moulin-à-Vent + Mushrooms.
- Juliénas + Glazed Ham.
- Brouilly + Salad Lyonnaise.
Do you put Beaujolais in the fridge?
Beaujolais likes to be cool, as we have seen, but not cold. Avoid using the fridge for longer than an hour otherwise you will mute the flavours and impede the characteristics of the wine. You need to pander to the wine’s whims and not impair its aromas with a temperature that is too low or even ice cold.
What does Beaujolais mean in French?
Beaujolais (/ˌboʊʒəˈleɪ/ BOH-zhə-LAY, French: [boʒɔlɛ]) is a French Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) wine generally made of the Gamay grape, which has a thin skin and is low in tannins.
Is Pinot Noir the same as Beaujolais?
Both grapes also have high acidity and a red fruit sweetness. However, Pinot Noir imparts a floral essence, the Gamay grape of Beaujolais offers more minerality. Despite their individual nuances, both wines impart the same body to the wine, especially when comparing a 100-percent Pinot Noir to a Beaujolais.
Is Beaujolais the same as Pinot Noir?
Gamay, found most notably in Beaujolais, is a light-bodied red wine that’s similar in taste to Pinot Noir. In fact, this variety is a cousin of Pinot Noir and it grows primarily next to Burgundy, France (Pinot motherland) in a region called Beaujolais.
What food do you pair with Beaujolais?
Beaujolais is a wine that is enjoyed with any course of the meal, or by itself when you want a glass of red. They go well with French classics—pâtés, terrines, rillettes, saucisson sec—and with the cheese course, from white-rinded cheeses such as Brie and Camembert to more flavorful and pungent cheeses.
Should Beaujolais be chilled?
When should I drink Beaujolais?
How do you drink Beaujolais?
What cheese goes with Beaujolais wine?
Beaujolais matches well with soft and semi-soft cheeses. Comté, Brie, Swiss Cheese, Camembert and Feta are some of the cheeses which go well with Beaujolais Nouveau.
Why is Beaujolais served cold?
California beaujolais — also called gamay beaujolais — is another candidate for cooling. These wines seem slightly sweeter than their French counterparts, and chilling lessens the impact of the sweetness.
What meat goes with Beaujolais?
Beaujolais’ fruitiness matches well with sweet and savory flavours, but especially with white meats like chicken and turkey. Beaujolais Nouveau is also known as the perfect Thanksgiving wine.
Does Beaujolais go with steak?
Either a relaxed Beaujolais or a Pinot Noir will go excellent with a filet. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more sophisticated, opt for a citrusy Cote-Rotie.
What do you eat with Beaujolais?
Beaujolais is almost always a winner with French charcuterie such as patés, terrines, rillettes and saucisson sec and with white-rinded cheeses such as Brie and Camembert (provided they’re not overripe) but it’s a highly versatile wine that can easily take you through a meal where people are ordering different things.