Thursday, November 21, 2019: Beaujolais Nouveau is back in the cellars and on the tables!

For over 60 years, the end of November has marked the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau in wine cellars. This year, it will be released on Thursday, November 21, at midnight. An event eagerly awaited by many wine lovers, both in France and abroad. Indeed, while this tradition is French, 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 always enjoy tasting the new vintage—in moderation, of course. Especially since the release of this young wine is also an opportunity to get together with friends over an aperitif or a good meal.

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

This tradition was established in 1951. That year, a decree was issued in September prohibiting the sale of AOC wines before December 15. However, in the face of protests from winemakers, the government at the time decided to authorize the sale of certain wines before that date—just a few weeks after the harvest—on one condition: the addition of the term “nouveau.” This is how Beaujolais Nouveau came to be, 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 affordably priced because it does not age well. And to be able to label a bottle with this designation, it is necessary to comply with very specific (and demanding) specifications.

A festive en primeur wine enjoyed in France … and abroad

Beaujolais Nouveau isn’t sold only in France. In fact, it’s now distributed in over 100 countries, and 25 million bottles are produced each year. So we’re not the only ones eagerly awaiting it on the third Thursday of November! Among the fans of this en primeur wine, the list includes the United States, Japan (the leading importer, with 5.82 million bottles annually), Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China. And while it is celebrated throughout France, the Beaujolais region—which spans two departments, the Rhône and Saône-et-Loire—is undoubtedly where the most events related to this release take place. Thus, from November 21 to 24, 2019, various events are planned, such as tastings, special evenings, and theatrical performances to welcome the new vintage. For example, in Lyon, barrels of Beaujolais Nouveau arrive shortly before midnight by barge at Quai Saint-Georges and are then rolled to Place Saint-Jean, accompanied by a marching band and a torchlight procession. As for the tapping of the barrels, it takes place at midnight and marks the start of the tastings.