Today, November 18, sees the release of the 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau crus. A date that signals the start of a new viticultural year. But do you know exactly what Beaujolais Nouveau is?

The story of a primeur wine

In contrast to the other Beaujolais appellations, Beaujolais Nouveau is a vin de primeur, meaning that the wine can be marketed directly after vinification. In other words, it’s a wine marketed in the year of its harvest and production. It is therefore one of the first wines to be marketed for each vintage in France.

The creation of the Beaujolais Nouveau appellation dates back to 1951, when a decree published in the Journal Officiel stipulated that AOC wines could not be marketed before December 15. Complaints from certain winegrowers’ unions led to the publication of a memo on November 13, 1951, stipulating that “Under what conditions can certain wines be marketed now without waiting for the December 15 release?. The “Beaujolais nouveau” appellation was thus created. Initially variable, the marketing date for Beaujolais Nouveau was finally set for the 3rd Thursday in November.

To be precise, Beaujolais Nouveau is not an appellation d’origine contrôlée, but a wine produced within the Beaujolais or Beaujolais Villages appellations.

Difference from other Beaujolais

Produced on the same terroir, or even the same micro terroirs, with the same commitments and viticultural techniques, Beaujolais Nouveau is nonetheless vinified differently than the region’s other appellations. In fact, because of the constraints of rapid marketing and the absence of aging, winegrowers are forced to carry out rapid fermentation and filtration after vinification, while bottling immediately afterwards. Late harvest years are all the more complex to vinify because of the short lead times.

As a result, there are inevitable differences between Beaujolais Nouveau and the region’s other appellations when it comes to tasting. Recent maceration and fermentation give these wines a very youthful character, as well as freshness and characteristic fruity/acid notes. It can also be harsh at times.

An international success

The success of Beaujolais Nouveau is not just French! Indeed, its worldwide reputation is due in no small part to Japan and Korea’s fascination with these wines. Nearly half of Beaujolais Nouveau production is exported to Asia, particularly to these two countries.

One of the reasons for this success is a tradition that has been celebrated in many countries for many years: on the eve of the 3rd Thursday of each month, a barrel of Beaujolais Nouveau is tapped at midnight (i.e. in the early minutes of Thursday). And so, because of the time difference, the Japanese and Koreans can enjoy Beaujolais nouveau even before the French.

In short, happy Beaujolais nouveau!