Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine that is released every year on the third Thursday of November. In 2023, this will be the 16th November. It is made from 100% Gamay grapes and is typically drunk within a few months of release, usually before Easter! Beaujolais Nouveau is known for being the first red wine of the northern hemisphere. It's also known for its slightly unusual method of production, known as Carbonic Maceration, where a layer of CO2 is pumped over the top of the grapes after they are lightly crushed, meaning that the fermentation actually happens inside the skins first! This gives it the classic "bubblegum-esque" flavours. Think old skool sweeties like kola kubes, hubba bubba, and banana foamies.
The 2023 growing season in Beaujolais was unusual. The spring was cool and wet, which delayed the grape bud break. However, the summer was warm and sunny, which helped the grapes to ripen evenly. The harvest was completed in early October, and the wines are now in the process of being vinified and bottled.
So, what can we expect from the 2023 Beaujolais Nouveau wines? Early reports suggest that they will be delicious! The wines are likely to be full of bright red fruit flavors, such as strawberries, cherries, and raspberries. They may also have a hint of bubblegum on the nose.
Beaujolais Nouveau is best enjoyed slightly chilled. It is a perfect wine to pair with light snacks, such as charcuterie, cheese, and fruit. It can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif or digestif.
Here are a few fun facts about Beaujolais Nouveau
* The first Beaujolais Nouveau was released in 1951.
* Beaujolais Nouveau is the most popular wine in France.
* The French have a saying, "Le Beaujolais est arrivé!" which means "Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!"
If you are a fan of red wine, I encourage you to try Beaujolais Nouveau in 2023. It is a fun and delicious wine that is perfect for enjoying with friends and family, and it's available for pre-order now!
This year Kirsty will be running in the Beaujolais Marathon (well... the half marathon...) which is an insane race through the vineyards, sampling the young reds in situ. Some life eh?