The third Thursday in November every year has reason to be celebrated. It's the day that vintners from the Beaujolais region in France, rush to release this years
Beaujolais Nouveau.
Literally translated it means new wine from Beaujolais. A wine that merely 6-8 weeks before had been grapes on the vine. It's a young wine and meant to be drunk early (read: now). No need to cellar or hold. Typically it is best when consumed within 6 months. However, You certainly may partake 6, 8, up to 10-12 months later.
According to a French law passed in 1985, the wine may not be released earlier than the third Thursday of November. So it has become almost a spectacle being delivered from bicycles to elephants to hot air balloons.
Meaning, Parties all over the world in celebration.
Beaujolais Nouveau has been around for centuries. It was grown for and by the peasants. As much, it has also grown in popularity due to one man, who began as a peasant himself, Georges Duboeuf.* The simplicity of the wine is part of the draw to it. Pair it with most everything. From pizza or Thanksgiving dinner. (Thanks "Frenchies" for delivering it just in time.)
Enjoyable because it's very fruity without being overly sweet and also light bodied. Not aged in oak. The Gamay grape is very thin skinned so there's little to no tannins in this wine. This translates to a soft, drinkable wine.
Beaujolais Nouveau can parallel life:
- Have fun and enjoy it now! No need to wait.
- There are times for seriousness, this is not one of them.
- Need an excuse to celebrate? Well here it is.
- Most of us come from humble beginnings.
Today's toast: Make the most of life while you may,
Life is short and wears away!
-William Oldys
*Read - "I'll Drink To That.
BEAUJOLAIS
and the French Peasant Who Made It
the World's Most Popular Wine."
by Rudolph Chelminski
Love the parallels, Heather!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Shel! Glad you enjoyed!
ReplyDelete