The new Beaujolais is here: a controversial cult wine
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Every year on the third Thursday in November, the time has come: the new Beaujolais primeur arrives on time and is celebrated and tasted in many pubs. However, this young wine is controversial among wine connoisseurs.
Growing region north of Lyon
Beaujolais comes from the region north of Lyon on the southern edge of Burgundy. Strictly speaking, there are two growing areas: The famous Beaujolais primeurs are grown in one, and the higher-quality Beaujolais Villages in the other.
The wine is made from the Gamay grape, which is not permitted for the production of high-class Burgundy wines. This alone means that Beaujolais is not one of the absolute top French wines.
Clever marketing idea
In 1951, the winegrowers had a brilliant idea on how to better market their rather second-rate wine: They got special permission to sell the new wine in the year of production. The date was finally set for the third Thursday in November.
The problem with this is that a wine cannot actually mature properly in such a short time. Therefore, various methods have to be used to help it along artificially. This gives the young Beaujolais its typical plump and fruity bouquet, which you can only love or hate.
In addition, the wine does not keep for long and must be drunk quickly. This is ensured by the many events and marketing campaigns surrounding Beaujolais nouveau.
However, in addition to the Primeur, there is also the Beaujolais Village, which is of significantly better quality and polishes up the rather dubious image of Beaujolais nouveau. Cult or headache - the new Beaujolais remains a phenomenon that divides opinion.
