10/25/07 Beaujolais Nouveau

Welcome to Vine to Wine this is your host Linda Moran. Beaujolais Nouveau? What is all of the fuss about? On today's program we'll take a look at a French custom that takes place every November. It's just about that time of year again, on the third Thursday of November, by French law the first wine of the Beaujolais harvest is released. Just to satisfy our curiosity and give us a sneak a taste of what's to come? No mostly because it's a traditional way to celebrate the harvest. Beaujolias Nouveau is produced from 100% Gamay grapes grown in the southern part of the Beaujolais region of France. The wines popularity was mainly local until after world war two. During the war many displaced Parisians were living in Lyon which was the chief market for Beaujolais. When they returned home they brought their new love with them and Paris soon became the primary market for the wine followed by New York where the wines are actually flown in by Concorde jets to arrive upon the day of release. The wines are obviously very young having just come from the harvest a few months prior. But they do give us an idea of what the vintage will be like. They are usually very fruity, crisp and dry and not meant to be kept for too long. They are wines definitely meant to be enjoyed now. When slightly chilled they can make a nice wine for turkey dinner. So why not join others from Africa to California and sip and toast to the wines of harvest celebration. I know I will. And thanks for joining me on today's Vine to Wine.