Nouveau Beaujolais

Have I been sleeping or has it not been a great deal of commotion about this year's Nouveau Beaujolais? There normally are a couple of local events centered around it and I've heard nothing this year. According to some of the things from various sites, especially if those in France, it's supposed to be quite respectable this year. I'm sure we'll be picking some up especially since it always seems to go nicely with Turkey.

[Robin Garr]

Nouveau really jumped the shark a few years ago, Mark. You'll still probably see some boxes of the stuff floating around, but the fad of having tastings and parties kind of wore out, I think.

Whenever I was in France during this season they made such a big deal about it it was hard to keep from getting roped into the excitement! Some years it's certainly barely drinkable then some years it's not bad, this year's supposed to be one of those. The form is not actually the wine, it's the excitement about it and the wine harvest.

[Robin Garr]

Whenever I was in France during this season they made such a big deal about it it was hard to keep from getting roped into the excitement! Some years it's certainly barely drinkable then some years it's not bad, this year's supposed to be one of those. The form is not actually the wine, it's the excitement about it and the wine harvest.

Mark, all true, but further, it's basically a marketing gimmick that good old Georges Duboeuf came up with about 40 years ago and nurtured for decades. People have finally started getting tired of it - in France and in the US. Here's a statistical snippet from an article I wrote last year:

What's more, there's mounting evidence that the Nouveau trend, running since soon after World War II, has peaked and gone into free fall: Sales of Nouveau have dropped by half since 2005. That's a marker that would have any sensible buyer selling off his stocks, although a still-respectable 26 million bottles will be sold this year, the lion's share of them from "the King of Beaujolais," Georges Duboeuf.

You're about 10 million bottles off, Robin, according to every source in English and French that I could find that report 35-36 million bottles, down from a high of 72 million about 10 yrs ago. Still pretty impressive especially given that they'll be sold and consumed in the next few months. I'll quietly pick up a few bottles myself.

By the way. Volare is having a Beaujolais Nouveau tasting and special buffet tomorrow night (18 Nov) sponsored by the meetup.com French group and the Alliance Francaise.


When: NOVEMBER 18, 2011Time: Registration at 6:15 and the dinner at 7 pm The evening includes an 8 course "all you can eat" meal accompanied by a glass of wine “BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU.” Price per person: $30.00, including tax and gratuityThere will be a “Cash bar” of Wine (Beaujolais) Bottle $20+ tax and gratuity to be addedGlass $5 + tax and gratuity to be addedMENU all you can eatPIZZA Smoked Salmon – Smoked salmon, arugula, échamel, capers, pepperoncini peppers, provolonePIZZA Pollo – Grilled Chicken, applewood bacon, red onions, basil pesto, parmesan, provolone cheeseBRUSCHETTA – Oyster mushrooms, goat cheese, roasted peppers and white truffle oilARANCINI – Fried Risotto balls filled with mozzarella cheese, peas, and shaved prosciutto, served with sage butterROTOLLINI DI MELANZANE – Eggplant filled with Feta Cheese and bakedPRIME BURGER – Grilled ground beef, red onion, compote, goat cheese, red pepper aioliMEATBALL SLYDER –Petite Lamb Meatball sandwiches with melted provolone, peppers, onions and a green peppercorn demi-glacePORK OSSO-BUCCO- Braised pork shank served with savory red wine veal glace over parmesan polentaFor additional information, please contact the organizer, Mme Grace Pau at gracepau08@gmail.com.

I only at to try it one time to know that I'd never do it again. I'll just let the wine mature from now on, thank you.

I sampled this year's "vintage" at the KRA event yesterday and it was pretty grapey and borderline non-palatable. I think I'll pass this year.

I sampled this year's "vintage" at the KRA event yesterday and it was pretty grapey and borderline non-palatable. I think I'll pass this year.

Thanks for the information! I read on several French websites it was pretty good this year but their tastes are certainly different than ours.

[Robin Garr]

I sampled this year's "vintage" at the KRA event yesterday and it was pretty grapey and borderline non-palatable. I think I'll pass this year.

Which producer, Dan? Georges Duboeuf is the default for a lot of people, and his style is usually "grapey" indeed. There may be some more interesting examples floating around, though.

I sampled this year's "vintage" at the KRA event yesterday and it was pretty grapey and borderline non-palatable. I think I'll pass this year.

Which producer, Dan? Georges Duboeuf is the default for a lot of people, and his style is usually "grapey" indeed. There may be some more interesting examples floating around, though.

You know, I didn't really pay attention, but I'm almost certain it was Georges Duboeuf and not Louis Jadot or one of the others. Whomever the producer was, chose a garrish orange and brown theme to the label this year just in time for Thanksgiving.

I sampled this year's "vintage" at the KRA event yesterday and it was pretty grapey and borderline non-palatable. I think I'll pass this year.

I found my DuBoeuf very smooth and extra fruity. This was a delight. I only bought two bottle initially but will be out shopping for more tomorrow.

To each his/her own and that is why we have many, many varieties to choose from. I enjoy a "grand rouge" as well as anyone. But I find the Nouveau to be a pleasant departure that suits my taste buds well.

When I lived in England, we called it beaujolais nouveau and it was a big deal. I remember every year my mum and I got a bottle or two.

When I lived in England, we called it beaujolais nouveau and it was a big deal. I remember every year my mum and I got a bottle or two.

The hype has faded after many years of "Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive!!" This is to be expected with the change of a generation. But there are still galas, and those who want it know where and when to get it.

We never miss Nouveau. Every year, year in, year out.. same restaurant where we have Saumagen and liver dumplings. It's not like we expect the wine to be good. It's just part of the rhythm of life. Something you do with friends every year. Same thing with new wines like Federweisser. Tastes awful. But every year we line up to drink it with Onion Cake and wake up the next day with gas. Just something one does.