Marking one of France‘s most anticipated events of the year, last week, the first bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau were uncorked in a traditional celebration that happens on the third Thursday of each November.
The comparatively small batch of wine has been described as more fun than refined, but those on holiday in Paris wouldn’t refuse a glass of the vino, as the batch for this year has been described as sweet, fruity and authentic by many tasters of the beverage.
The unveiling of the Beaujolais Nouveau has been a tradition for many years, and since 1985 it has been regulated that the first bottle of the wine cannot be uncorked until 12:01am on the third Thursday of November. Then, the celebrations often spill into the coming day.
A reporter from the Associated Press described their experience for the Beaujolais uncorking at a restaurant in Paris as being marked by immaculate detail, including a detailed table prepared meticulously for the tasters.
Francois Cheri, who’s been tasting batches for the past 30 years, described the wine as “soft, warm and agreeable.”
“Autumn is here, the weather has changed. It’s not so jolly. A little bit of Beaujolais won’t hurt anyone.”
While wine traditionalists turn up their noses regularly at the Beaujolais, one of the wine’s promoters described it as “a real treat.”
“You smell the red fruits, the black currant, the raspberries. It’s crisp and smooth in the mouth,” he told the AP.
The wine has a strong following internationally, though AP reported nearly 20 million bottles of the wine sell each year in France alone.
