Beaujolais Nouveaus

[polyamnesia]

is november 17 the day all Beaujolais Nouveaus are released in the u.s. or is that just the day they became available here in PA?

i haven't had any for a few years. i just realized yesterday they were advertised as being ready.

think i'll go get a bottle when i check the local store for bourbon:)

[TNbourbon]

You might do better to grab a Beaujolais-Villages or sibling. The Louis Jadot 2005, for example -- still available at retail around here. One of the best Beaujolais-Villages in the past two decades, reputedly, and I can attest it's certainly enjoyable.

More and more negociants are using the Gamay juice in nicer bottlings, leaving the BN somewhat wilted these days.

[jeff]

More and more negociants are using the Gamay juice in nicer bottlings, leaving the BN somewhat wilted these days.

As opposed to what? It was my understanding that all Beaujolais was of the gamay varietal. Or are you saying that gamay is being siphoned off into blends other than Beaujolais?

Quite honestly, Beaujolais Villages, and Moulin a Vent in particular, were some of our favorites early on, but lately we haven't had the taste for them. They seem much more one-dimensional and lifeless than they once were. I don't know whether to chalk that up to changing tastes or changing quality.

[Gillman]

Nouveau is okay but even the best of it (to my taste) has a grapey, "kool-aid" quality I have never warmed to.

Regular Beaujolais is a different story.

My favorites include Morgon and Fleurie. Moulin-a-vent too, which traditionally was considered one of the best.

In a perfect world, next week Tim, Randy and Val, Jeff and Leslie, Jim and Steph, Bettye Jo and Pat, Cliff and Ying, and a bunch of other SB-ers (don't feel left out guys and gals, the list is too long to enumerate) would gather in a true Paris "zinc" wine bistro, the kind that specialises in Beaujolais which in effect is the "local" wine of Paris. We would order some Fleurie, or Morgon, or Brouilly, or whatever the proprietor tells us is good, and it would come in an unlabelled bottle because he bottles it himself from the barrel in the basement.

We'd have his good French bread and one of his mixed cold cuts or cheese platters to go with it, or maybe a hot dish like a quiche with a salad.

And we'd sup and talk and discuss the merits of the wine (which is superb) and other things from politics to music to - whiskey, even.

And then we'd walk down to the river with the chillish Parisian air on our cheeks (if autumn time like now) and the smell of Turkish tobacco in the air, mixed with the river smells, mixed with the cookery from the 3 star and other restaurants heralding what's for dinner, gazing at the tremendous architecture and bridges; that's Paris, friends, or one part of it...

Maybe one day...

Gary

[TNbourbon]

As opposed to what? It was my understanding that all Beaujolais was of the gamay varietal. Or are you saying that gamay is being siphoned off into blends other than Beaujolais?..

Into non-Nouveau Beaujolais, yes, such as Villages or Moulin a Vent.

[polyamnesia]

interesting.

due to a comment in the local store i DIDN'T buy a bottle.

i walked in and a lady was offering samples of a reserve/12 year (i think) Dewars scotch...and i asked if the BNs were in....another gentleman having a sample mentioned he had just been to a BN 'function' in Philly and he commented that it was NOT as good as before...that they were "heavy" and "dense" compared to what is expected...light, fruity.

he said many of the BN and wine aficianados were NOT happy...:shocked:

which surprised me...

i used to really be into wines...and though i do like the BVillages, i always prefered the pouilly fuisse....and to be honest, the best wine i ever had was a pouilly fume. something about them and camembert, walnuts, fresh apples, grapes and Carr's crackers goes so well together. but that was too many years ago. it still lingers...

oh, and that Dewars wasn't bad. i have yet to explore scotch...but it was nice. i still prefer the physical complexity of BOURBON:)

[cowdery]

Beaujolais Nouveau never was supposed to be great wine. It was supposed to be a fun event, a celebration of the new vintage, with a wine that would be fresh and fruity and simple and forgettable, but perfect for the little party thrown in its honor. People talked themselves into this idea that it was supposed to be this great wine. It never was.

[mier]

Beaujolais Nouveau never was supposed to be great wine. It was supposed to be a fun event, a celebration of the new vintage, with a wine that would be fresh and fruity and simple and forgettable, but perfect for the little party thrown in its honor. People talked themselves into this idea that it was supposed to be this great wine. It never was.

Couldn`t agree more with you Chuck,drinking the nouveau is drinking grapejuice with added alcohol.The tradition around it its funny but after one or two glasses i`ve had enough.This years wine is very pale.If you want to have a first vintage look in the summer for wines from south of the equator,they have new vintages that are tasty and resonable balanced without the stress of being the first.Altough you have to miss the tradition of the nouveau you don`t have to miss a lack of taste.

Eric.

[craigthom]

Beaujolais Nouveau never was supposed to be great wine. It was supposed to be a fun event, a celebration of the new vintage, with a wine that would be fresh and fruity and simple and forgettable, but perfect for the little party thrown in its honor. People talked themselves into this idea that it was supposed to be this great wine. It never was.

Exactly! It's a quickly made first wine of season, made and consumed to celebrate that as quickly as possible. It's a big party. It's light grape juice with a little alcohol.

[snakster]

Indeed. It's practically a Thanksgiving tradition. Picked up a big bottle last night (after I mentioned to my wife they were in; she insisted I go pick it up). I don't count on it being a memorable experience; just something to fill the glasses at this time of year.

[BourbonJoe]

I once gave a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau to my boss. He said "I think I will put it in my wine cellar for about 5 or 6 years. That should improve it greatly". :shithappens: I just smiled and said "yeah".

Joe :usflag:

[polyamnesia]

hmmm. will it be some high-end vinegar by the time he opens it??:grin:

[Gillman]

I have read that Nouveau will last for a few months, then it will deteriorate, but then sometimes can acquire a new and improved condition!

Prompted by this discussion, I just bought two of those just released, George Duboeuf's and Mommessin's. Notes to follow in due course.

Gary

P.S. I should add that I've always been aware that this is a grapey young harvest wine. I still never found much to like in it, anyway we'll see.

[whiskeyhatch]

Today, I got duped into buying some BN from 2003! Metro Liquors in Fort Worth had this stuff in a display case and they were selling it for $11 a bottle. I asked the guy working there (the owners son?) if 2003 was the new stuff (I don't know much about wine). He said, "Yes, 2003 was the... birth date." "Right," I said. Took this stuff home, chilled it, and it tastes just like V-8 juice! Those bastards!

[mier]

Besides the Nouveau you also have Beaujolais Villages,a wine with its own regional origin(aoc)perhaps he was mistaken it with a Nouveau?Both wines are however simple wines the Nouveau should be consumed within 6 months the Villages within 2 or 3 years.Better is to look for other Burgundywines way better quality.The Nouveau has great marketeers,i wish the quality was half as good as that:grin: .

Eric.

[whiskeyhatch]

Besides the Nouveau you also have Beaujolais Villages,a wine with its own regional origin(aoc)perhaps he was mistaken it with a Nouveau?Both wines are however simple wines the Nouveau should be consumed within 6 months the Villages within 2 or 3 years.Better is to look for other Burgundywines way better quality.The Nouveau has great marketeers,i wish the quality was half as good as that:grin: .

Eric.

Thanks for the info. It's no big loss. Just a lesson learned! I think the guy knew what he was selling. He seemed to know a little about this wine and it sounded like he may even drink it himself. I'm giving him the benefit of doubt, though.

[Joeluka]

Besides the Nouveau you also have Beaujolais Villages,a wine with its own regional origin(aoc)perhaps he was mistaken it with a Nouveau?Both wines are however simple wines the Nouveau should be consumed within 6 months the Villages within 2 or 3 years.Better is to look for other Burgundy wines way better quality.The Nouveau has great marketeers,i wish the quality was half as good as that:grin: .

Eric.

Now just like the regular Beaujolais AOC and Beaujolais Villages AOC, they make a Beaujolais Nouveau and a Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau. Its possible that it could be either of the Village wines. But regardless of if its a Nouveau or not, any bottle from 2003 is too old. Only the Crus can be aged.

There are ten "crus" of Beaujolais (Morgan, Moulin-a-Vent, Julienas, Brouilly,.....) These wines are miles apart from the Beaujolais AOC, Beaujolais Villages AOC, and Both Nouveau. These villages produce age worthy wines and they don't say Beaujolais on the bottles. Just like the great wines of the Cote d'Or. They use the village name instead of Beaujolais. Also,the Cru villages are prohibited from producing B.N.

The best part is that the Crus are so cheap. Top notch Cru Beaujolais usually run you $20-$40. If you like Jadot's Beaujolais-Villages, give their Moulin-a-Vent a try. This is a hidden gem in the $$$$$$$$$$ world of wine.

[TNbourbon]

For whatever it's worth, early reviews seem to indicate the '07 Beaujolais Nouveau is that variety's best in several years. As for me, I'll take their word for it.

[snakster]

It's not bad. Fresh fruit taste. Easy to drink.

[Sijan]

I only had the Dubouef BN 2007, but thought it was pretty bad stuff. Notably worse than recent years. I think I rated it a 74 on cellartracker.

[bigtoys]

Agreed. The Dubouef BN was disappointing. I only post now to say that Sam's is selling it for $1.99. Not sure it's even worth that.