Thursday, November 21, 2019: Beaujolais Nouveau makes its grand return to wine cellars and dining tables!

For more than 60 years, the end of November has been synonymous with the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau in wine cellars. This year, it will be released at midnight on Thursday, November 21. This event is eagerly awaited by many wine lovers, both in France and abroad. Although this is a French tradition, it is no less famous in other countries around the world, such as Japan and the United States. And even though we hear the same refrain every year, "it tastes like bananas," we still enjoy tasting the new vintage—in moderation, of course. Especially since the release of this early wine is also an opportunity to get together with friends for an aperitif or a good meal.

A wine-growing tradition celebrated on the third Thursday of November

This custom was established in 1951. That year, a decree was issued in September prohibiting the sale of AOC wines before December 15. However, in response to protests from winegrowers, the government at the time decided to authorize the sale of certain wines before this date, just a few weeks after the harvest, on one condition: the addition of the word "nouveau" (new). This is how Beaujolais Nouveau came into being, celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November, which falls on the 21st in 2019. A symbol of conviviality, it is nicknamed the "wine of friends" and is affordable because it does not keep for very long. And in order to be able to put this label on a bottle, it is necessary to comply with very specific (and demanding) specifications.

A festive primeur wine enjoyed in France... and abroad

Beaujolais Nouveau is not only sold in France. In fact, it is now distributed in more than 100 countries and 25 million bottles are produced every year. So we are not the only ones waiting for it on the third Thursday of November! Among lovers of this new wine, we find the United States, Japan (the leading importer with 5.82 million bottles each year), Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. And while it is celebrated throughout France, the Beaujolais region—which spans two departments, Rhône and Saône-et-Loire—is undoubtedly the area where the most events related to this release take place. From November 21 to 24, 2019, various events are planned, such as tastings, special evenings, and performances to welcome the new edition. In Lyon, for example, barrels of Beaujolais Nouveau arrive shortly before midnight by barge at the Quai Saint-Georges and are then rolled to the Place Saint-Jean, accompanied by a brass band and a torchlight procession. The barrels are opened at midnight, marking the start of the tastings.