Submit a Review of the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau!

Tell us what you think of this year's Beaujolais. Try one, or try both! We love to read reviews from our wine enthusiasts, and will share your comments here as they come in. Please include the name of the specific wine(s) you are reviewing. Click here to share your comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

Beaujolais Day!

Every year on the exact same day-the third Thursday of November-restaurants and wine shops around the world celebrate the arrival of the Beaujolais Nouveau (pronounced Boh-zhoh-lay noo-voh). And D&W Fresh Market is no exception. This fresh young red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France will be available in D&W Fresh Market Thursday, November 20.

This light-bodied red Nouveau ("new") is a centuries' old harvest celebration tradition in Beaujolais in the southern part of Burgundy, where the new wine was originally enjoyed only by the local winemakers who didn't even bottle it. In the 18th century the wine arrived in barrels shipped to Paris on river barges around the holidays. In the early nineteen fifties, after WWII, the wine was officially released annually to the Paris market where it was served from the barrel in neighborhood bistros. Now, with air travel, the new wine can be released anywhere in the world on the same day it officially hits the Paris bistros.

Since the grapes are harvested in late September or early October, they ferment scarcely a month before being bottled. This means that the wine is light in color, body and flavor. The fruit is still prominent. A Hands-Across-the-Sea coincidence for us Americans is that Beaujolais Nouveau goes nicely with our traditional Thanksgiving meal—just one week after Nouveau Day. Our recommendation is to let it sit for a week to recover from the shock of travel, and then cool it about a half hour in the fridge and serve it with Thanksgiving turkey and all the fixings. Meant to be enjoyed fresh and young, it also pairs well with bistro fare: stews, a burger, rotisserie chicken, D&W Fresh Market Deli's famous chicken pot pie, a ham sandwich...

D&W Fresh Market is pleased to offer two different brands of Beaujolais Nouveau this year.

TRY: Albert Bichot Beaujolais Nouveau

TRY: Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau

Georges Duboeuf

Georges Duboeuf, the King of Beaujolais, is the region's largest producer, controlling more than 10 percent of the total production. But he is also the relentless promoter of Beaujolais. The Duboeuf family has lived on the northern border of Beaujolais since the 15th century and has been involved in the wine business for over 300 years.

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Beaujolais Nouveau droplets...

• Beaujolais is a region in France, just south of Burgundy made up of 12 appellations (or specific winegrowing areas) - thus the "s" at the end of the name.

• Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine made from Gamay grapes grown in the Beaujolais region and released in the same year of its harvest.

• All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

• Few other wines are produced, bottled, and released within a few weeks of the harvest.

• Around 49 million liters of Beaujolais Nouveau is produced each year, making up nearly half of the region's total wine production. About half of this is exported, with Germany and Japan the biggest markets, followed by the USA.

• Because it tastes different every year, typically Nouveau will have very bright, fresh, red fruit flavors such as cherry, strawberry, and raspberry, and will be delivered to your palate with a distinct zing. The lack of tannins creates a very soft mouthfeel, making it easy to drink.

• Unlike most reds, put a Nouveau bottle in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before drinking, as a slight chill will bring out the fresh flavors.

• Want tips on throwing a Beaujolais Wine arrival party?