Wine for the Weekend of 11/29/19

Beajolais Nouveau Is the Wine for the Weekend of 11/29/19

The wine for the weekend of 11/29/19 is Beaujolais Nouveau from the Gamay grape. It is sometimes referred to as Gamay Beaujolais. And, this is the time of year that the French celebrate. Some of the wine is released early on the third Thursday of each November a few weeks after picking. It is a younger and lighter version of this beaujolais wine. Drink it for the holidays. Buy it now before the stores run out. Also, buy ONLY the ones from France. California versions are simply irrelevant and mix other grapes in. French Beaujolais is 100% gamay and must be hand picked. Only Champagne has the same requirement in France. And, drink it as soon as possible, or at least before the Spring!

Aromas, Tastes and Pairings

First, serve it chilled at about 55 degrees. Beaujolais Nouveau is extremely fruity, sometimes artificial smelling aromas of banana and bubblegum. The scents come from a wine making technique called carbonic maceration. The winemakers ferment grapes in a carbon-dioxide-rich, anaerobic environment. It ensures freshness. And, what does it taste like? It is hard to say, because it tastes different every year. Typically, it is a lot like a grape juice with alcohol. Nouveau has very bright, fresh fruit flavors such as cherry, strawberry, and raspberry. And, it is one of the only wines with a distinctive taste of blueberries. Beaujolais Nouveau’s simple fruity qualities make it a great holiday wine. Try it with turkey, ham and pork dishes.

Beaujolais Wines

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