Puget Sound Wine Cellar

Downtown Port Orchard's largest selection of wine and beer

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Wine Tasting every Saturday

10 FACTS ABOUT BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU YOU SHOULD KNOW

1. Beaujolais [BOE-zjoh-lay] Nouveau is always released the third Thursday of November, regardless of the start of the harvest.

2. The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.

3. All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

4. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. While certain California wineries may label their wine "Gamay Beaujolais" this is not the same grape variety as what is grown in France, and is quite different in taste and growing habits.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais-only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages.

6. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, also called whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

7. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young-in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

8. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau slightly cool, at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit-the wine is more refreshing and its forward fruit more apparent than if you serve it at room temperature.

9. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.

10. The region of Beaujolais is known for its fabulous food. The famed Paul Bocuse Restaurant is just minutes from the heart of Beaujolais, as is Georges Blanc's eponymous culinary temple. These great restaurants have plenty of Beaujolais on their wine lists. This quintessential food wine goes well with either haute cuisine or Tuesday night's meat loaf.

 BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU 2008

This year, the hierarchy in the Beaujolais appellations is true to form.
 
 
Beaujolais Nouveau: the wines have a beautiful, intense, purple-blue colour. The aromas have the natural fragrance of red berry fruit with some undertones of violet.  They are altogether straightforward, refreshing and very pleasant. On the palate, the wines are easy to drink and give the impression of a red fruit salad. It is a classic "primeur" wine.
 
 
Beaujolais Villages: they too have a nice bluish colour.  Their aromas are more reminiscent of black berries.  There is also greater complexity in the aromas.  On the palate, the wines show more richness, "gras" (velvety feel) and structure. In terms of quality, there is a certain resemblance with some of the Crus of Beaujolais.  Although not meant for keeping, they certainly will age well.
 
 
Conclusion

2008 is a beautiful "primeur" vintage, a somewhat unexpected result considering the vagaries of the weather this summer.
 
We hope that you will enjoy sharing and drinking these wines with the same enthusiasm as we do.

Frédéric J. DROUHIN
November 12th 2008

Proprietor John and Ann Ready

120 Harrison Avenue, Port Orchard, WA 98366

(360) 895-WINE

On the Port Orchard Waterfront at the marina.

11am -7pm Monday - Friday

10am-7pm Saturday

12pm-5pm Sunday