Like every year since 1985, Beaujolais Nouveau can be tasted this third Thursday of November. An annual global event that showcases the expertise of our Beaujolais winegrowers and the emblematic Gamay. This Thursday 19 November 2020, how to take advantage of this moment despite confinement ?
Beaujolais Nouveau in turmoil
© Inter Beaujolais
Still a negative image
It’s an irrefutable fact, Beaujolais Nouveau no longer makes consumers dream. Its consumption decreases from year to year because of a negative image that sticks to its skin.
Victim of its outrageous marketing in the years 90, Beaujolais is struggling to win back the French. Sales have fallen inexorably since 20 years. Cafes and restaurants celebrate the event less and less; wine merchants order more accurately and the supermarket is reducing its shelves.
Certainly having peaked too high, Beaujolais winegrowers have radically changed their wine. Whereas the vines had to be pissed a few years earlier, the winegrowers now offer us more fleshy and digestible wines. Nevertheless, we still hear here and there people saying that these early wines are bad…
The coronavirus in addition
To this redundant negative image is added the health crisis due to Covid-19. The year, Beaujolais Nouveau are released in full confinement.
Unfortunately, winegrowers will not be able to offer their wines in bars and restaurants that are closed or almost. It is also impossible to meet with friends or to go to the winemaker to discover this new wine.. The events, like Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu, are canceled.
All that remains for the inter-branch organization is large-scale distribution and wine merchants who have remained open to offer their Beaujolais Nouveau. It can also count on the few restaurants offering home delivery or "click and collect"..
Result, 5 million bottles less released this year…
Rediscover Beaujolais Nouveau thanks to confinement
© Inter Beaujolais
You may know, more iswritten in Chinese, the word "crisis" consists of two ideograms. This is Wei (danger) et Ji (opportunity). Containment is undoubtedly a danger for Beaujolais winegrowers, but it is also an opportunity for you to finally discover this wine !
Despite the current context combining confinement and early harvest, the Beaujolais winegrowers seem to have managed the situation well to offer us once again the best of their know-how.
Push (finally) the door of your wine merchant
If you are one of those who systematically criticizes this event, maybe it's because you lived it in bad conditions. It could be a purchase without any advice or excessive consumption in a thirst bar…
By pushing the doors of your wine merchant, you will have the advice that you have missed so much in the past years. These prime wines have as many personalities as there are cuvées and winemakers. Some will be fresh and fruity, others more powerful and structured. The wine merchant will be happy to guide you and help you find the wine that suits you best..
It is also a good way to help your neighborhood merchants ! After your visit to the wine merchant, do not hesitate to push open the doors of our other merchants who bring our neighborhoods to life : boulanger, butcher…
Finally, whatever the reasons; the prejudices that you have regarding Beaujolais Nouveau deserve to be brushed aside. It is up to you to change your vision of these early wines !
Change the way you consume it
The year, the event will be more intimate. A good opportunity to prepare an aperitif with your other half or to organize an aperitif online with your friends !
Did you know ? The first cuvées of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages New rosés, made from Gamay, were marketed in 2006. If their production is still confidential, these pretty fresh and fruity wines are more and more numerous, from vintage to vintage.
To best support you in your re-discovery of these early wines, the official website of the event offers many food and wine combinations. Classic or rather surprising chords, just click on the tab below to find out more…
Where to find Beaujolais Nouveau ?
© Inter Beaujolais
If you've made it this far, you are probably wondering where you can find cuvées of these early wines ! Of course, you have wine merchants and supermarkets, but not only…
You want to help restaurateurs ? Beaujolais Bistros : the network of restaurants which gives pride of place to Beaujolais offers an interactive map accessible below.
Landmark of Beaujolais wines, masters of eating well, drinking well and welcoming, many Beaujolais Bistrots remain open and offer take-away sales to savor and taste Beaujolais know-how !
Do not hesitate to let me know your impressions of your experience in the comments. You can also follow your wine blog with Instagram.
