France’s annual toast to the new vintage
Every third Thursday in November, France releases Beaujolais Nouveau, the year’s first wine. Made from the Gamay grape for early drinking.
Summary
Wine: 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau
Region: Beaujolais, France
Grape: 100% Gamay
Style: Light bodied red wine
Producers: Domaine Dupeuble, Domaine de la Cadette, George DuBoeuf, Louis Jadot, Jean Foillard, Joseph Drouhin, and many more
Tasting
Pale ruby wine with low tannin, bright red berry and cherry flavors and aromas. Some detect notes of cinnamon, kirsch, banana, and bubble gum.
How It’s Made
Unlike most reds, Beaujolais Nouveau isn’t made from crushed grapes. Whole clusters of grapes are placed in vats filled with carbon dioxide, thereby removing all oxygen. Fermentation begins inside the grape cells and when the alcohol reaches a certain level (usually around 2%), the grape skin splits. Grapes are pressed to separate the juice from the skins. Yeast is added to complete the fermentation. This extracts color but tannins are low, resulting in a fruity and celebratory wine.
Pairing
Beaujolais Nouveau is a vibrant wine for Thanksgiving. This wine happily handles the kaleidoscope of food flavors, from turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing to sweet potatoes and cranberry sauce.
Why It Matters
The third Thursday in November 2025 falls on the 20th. If you’d like to experience the celebration, call your local wine shop soon to reserve your bottle(s) as they tend to vanish from shelves quickly as they arrive.
Technical explanation on winemaking adapted from WSET Level 3, Understanding Wines: Explaining Style and Quality.
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