Beaujolais Nouveau 2020
November 19, 2020
Every year on the Third Thursday of November, wineries in Beaujolais, France release the very first wines of the year. It is a celebration of the first harvest. Happy Beaujolais Nouveau Day!
These wines are made from the first harvest of Gamay grapes that year. The grapes are harvested and pressed in September, then fermented just a few weeks until the bottles are released to the public in November. They are not aged and they are meant to be enjoyed young (read: drink immediately)! Beaujolais Nouveaus are a perfect pair with your Thanksgiving dinner because the light flavors give space to the rich meal. This year, we tasted Beaujolais Nouveau wines from two wineries.
Georges DuBoeuf 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau is medium purple in color and tastes medium dry in flavor. It smells like purple grape juice…well because it is only a couple weeks of fermentation away from purple grape juice! It is balanced with hints of violets, flowers and sediment. It is high acidity and medium tannin. The back of the bottle gave insight that the weather was “hot this year which accelerated ripening.”
Winery: Georges DuBoeuf
Wine: Beaujolais Nouveau
Year/vintage: 2020
Location: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: Gamay
Color: Medium purple
Method: Quick ferment of the first harvest, no aging
Pairing: Thanksgiving dinner
Fun Fact: These wines are quickly sold out because only small batches are released. All other grapes ferment and age for a year before being released as Beaujolais wines.
Price: $10.97
Jean-Claude Debeaune 2020 Beaujolais Nouveau is pale purple in color. It is jammy but not full-bodied, fresh and different. It smells like fresh raspberries and vanilla. It is the lightest berry pie you’ve ever had! It is medium acidity and very low tannin (because it didn’t have enough time steeping in the skins and seeds). Delicious! In comparison to the other brand, I prefer this one.
Winery: Jean-Claude Debeaune
Wine: Beaujolais Nouveau
Year/vintage: 2020
Location: Beaujolais, France
Grapes: Gamay
Color: Pale purple
Method: Quick ferment of the first harvest, no aging
Pairing: Thanksgiving dinner
Fun Fact: Buy it quick! These wines sell out.
Price: $9.99
Will you look out for Beaujolais Nouveau Day next year?