There’s just something about Beaujolais Nouveau. It says “celebration” and “autumn” and “family gatherings” all in one sip. Sure, it’s a little cheesy, but so are Hallmark commercials, which still make us cry.
Tell us. Did you open a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau at the strike of midnight on November 17th (the third Thursday in November), as is the annual tradition?
If not, here’s what you’re missing, in the words of finewine.com:
The harvest for the 2011 Beaujolais region started in late August with exceptional weather. This helped produce a wine that is dominated by juicy, fruit flavors of strawberries, raspberries, bananas and pear drops. This vintage has good body, enriched by well-rounded but lively tannins and bursting with wild fruits. It has aromas of forest fruits with notes of ripe strawberries. Also beautiful scents of red currants, vine peaches and touches of black currant and blueberry. The aromas give way to a medium-bodied, voluptuous, generous and bountiful wine. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young and should be served slightly chilled to make it even more refreshing and fruit forward. It pairs beautifully with a range of foods, from fish and hearty salads to holiday favorites such as turkey and ham.
And then there’s the label art.
The label art is almost as anticipated as the wine; Georges Duboeuf has a different theme each year along with a colorful and creative label. This year’s theme is “Nouveau Expression,” a celebration of creativity, self expression and enjoying the moment. The graffiti-inspired artwork was designed by Brooklyn artist Michael McLeer, who goes by the name Kaves. “I wanted to create a celebration in a neighborhood that could be anywhere in the world with bright energy and a positive vibe,” says Kaves. “The corner of LIVE and LOVE is where I want to be. It’s a place where people live in the moment and love life. Beaujolais Nouveau is a celebration of friends and wine. My painting is a celebration of life. The two are a perfect pair.”