Beaujolais Nouveau: The Wine That Arrives Before Christmas
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Every November, something slightly ridiculous and wonderfully French happens.
A wine that was only grapes a few weeks earlier suddenly appears on shelves, in wine bars and around dinner tables across the world. It is young, juicy, bright and completely uninterested in taking itself too seriously.
This is Beaujolais Nouveau.
Released on the third Thursday of November, it is one of the most anticipated moments in the wine calendar. Unlike most wines, it is made to be enjoyed almost immediately after harvest.
But what exactly is Beaujolais Nouveau, why is everyone so excited about it, and is it actually any good?
We think it is rather fun.
A wine made to celebrate the harvest
Beaujolais Nouveau comes from the Beaujolais region of eastern France, just south of Burgundy.
It is made from Gamay, a grape variety particularly well suited to producing wines full of fresh fruit and lively character. The grapes are harvested, fermented and bottled remarkably quickly, creating a wine designed to capture the freshness and energy of the new vintage.
There is no waiting around for years in a cellar.
No dusty bottle that needs a complicated decanting ritual.
No need to wonder whether you've opened it too soon.
Beaujolais Nouveau is about drinking wine while it is young, vibrant and full of personality.
So, what does it actually taste like?
Forget the heavy, tannic reds you might associate with winter.
Beaujolais Nouveau is almost the opposite.
Expect juicy red fruit, fresh raspberry, cherry and strawberry, sometimes with a slightly more playful, floral or confectionery character depending on the wine and how it has been made.
It tends to be light-bodied, soft and incredibly easy to drink, with refreshing acidity and very little aggressive tannin.
Traditional Beaujolais Nouveau production uses whole bunches and semi-carbonic maceration, helping to create the distinctive aromatic, fruity character the style is known for.
The result?
A red wine that is bright, uncomplicated and seriously drinkable.
It is the sort of bottle you can open slightly chilled, pour generously and get on with enjoying yourself.
Why does it come out in November?
This is where Beaujolais Nouveau becomes a little bit special.
Most wines spend months, sometimes years, developing before they are released. Beaujolais Nouveau does not.
The official release date was established in 1985 as the third Thursday of November. The tradition developed from the celebration of the new wine at the end of the winegrowing year and has since become a global event.
From France to Japan, the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau has become an excuse for people to gather, eat, drink and celebrate the new vintage.
It is wine with a deadline.
And somehow, that makes it more exciting.
Beaujolais Nouveau isn't just one style
One of the misconceptions about Beaujolais Nouveau is that every bottle tastes the same.
They don't.
The character of the wine can vary considerably depending on the vineyard, the winemaker, the vintage and the way the grapes are handled.
Some are incredibly fresh and floral. Others are packed with juicy cherry and raspberry. Some have a little more structure, while others are almost dangerously easy to drink.
And while Nouveau is the most famous expression of young Beaujolais, the region is home to a huge range of wines, including Beaujolais-Villages and the famous Crus such as Morgon, Fleurie, Brouilly and Moulin-à-Vent.
So if you discover Beaujolais Nouveau and enjoy it, there is a whole region waiting to be explored.
What about sustainability?
Wine is never completely without an environmental footprint.
There are vineyards to farm, bottles to produce, wine to transport and packaging to consider. But that does not mean there is nothing we can do to make better choices.
The Beaujolais wine region has been working on ways to reduce its environmental impact, including research into carbon reduction, biodiversity, vineyard practices and more sustainable packaging. The region has also explored lighter bottles and returnable packaging as part of its work towards a lower-impact future.
That matters because sustainability in wine isn't just about what happens in the vineyard.
It is also about what happens afterwards.
At Wineslut, we believe good wine and a more thoughtful approach to packaging can happily sit at the same table. We use recyclable paper and cardboard packaging wherever possible, while our wine boxes are designed to protect bottles properly without unnecessary excess packaging.
We are not going to pretend that a bottle of wine has no environmental impact.
But we can make better choices where we can.
And we'd rather be honest about that.
What should you eat with Beaujolais Nouveau?
Pretty much anything you would happily eat with friends.
This is not a wine that demands a three-course tasting menu and a sommelier standing nearby.
Try it with charcuterie, roast chicken, sausages, burgers, pizza, grilled pork or a proper French cheese board.
It is particularly good with food that has a little salt and plenty of flavour.
And because it is light and fresh, it works surprisingly well with dishes that you might normally pair with white wine.
The important thing is not to overthink it.
Chill it slightly.
Open it.
Pour it.
Eat something delicious.
Repeat.
Should you drink it chilled?
Yes.
Don't turn it into a wine slushie, but a little time in the fridge can work wonders.
Around 12–14°C is a good starting point.
Serving it slightly chilled brings out the fresh fruit and makes the wine even more refreshing.
And if the bottle somehow survives the evening, keep it somewhere cool and enjoy it soon.
Although, realistically, we wouldn't put money on there being any left.
The best thing about Beaujolais Nouveau
Perhaps the greatest thing about Beaujolais Nouveau is that it doesn't take wine too seriously.
Wine can sometimes feel intimidating.
There are regions to remember, grapes to pronounce, vintages to understand and bottles covered in words that seem designed to make you question every decision you've ever made.
Beaujolais Nouveau cuts through all of that.
It is fresh.
It is fruity.
It is fun.
It marks the arrival of a new vintage and gives people an excuse to gather around a table, open a bottle and enjoy themselves.
And frankly, we think wine could do with a little more of that.
When should you drink Beaujolais Nouveau?
Whenever the new vintage arrives.
The third Thursday of November marks the traditional release of Beaujolais Nouveau, making it one of the easiest dates in the wine calendar to remember.
So whether you're planning dinner with friends, looking for something different for a Friday night or simply want to take part in one of wine's most entertaining traditions, keep an eye out for the new vintage.
Because sometimes the best bottle isn't the one you save for ten years.
Sometimes it's the one that has just arrived.
And sometimes, all you really need is good wine, good food and good company.
That's what Beaujolais Nouveau is all about.
For the love of good wine.