Le Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive!

-- By Dionysus Translated by Cara Steenstra

Even today, there are many who wonder what Beaujolais Nouveau is, let alone what all the fuss is about. In French, "Nouveau" means "new" while "Beaujolais" signifies wine produced in Burgundy, in the south of France, using Gamay Noir grapes. Every November, people around the world celebrate the launch of that year's Beaujolais Nouveau. Produced in various ways, including traditional red and white varieties, Beaujolais Nouveau has gained vast popularity, creating a new wine trend that shows no sign of fading. Every third Thursday in November--November 17 this year--when the clock strikes midnight, the long-awaited bottles of fresh, smooth and richly flavored Beaujolais Nouveau will be uncorked in Paris, London, Tokyo, Taipei and other cities.
So, what is it about Beaujolais Nouveau that makes even teetotalers want to drink it? Over 98 percent of the Beaujolais district is planted with Gamay grapes. The fruit are small and rich in flavor; and are especially suitable for making young wines, containing the fragrances of bananas, berries and peaches. The Maceration Carbonique method is used, with a relatively short fermentation time, and the wine is not kept in oak barrels.

Coloring and fragrance are maximized, with efforts to avoid too much tannin astringent tastes, thus giving it its fresh, light flavor. With the tannin level low, the wine cannot be kept for long. The limit is within three months of production and it is best drunk between 10?~12?. When consuming the wine in Taiwan, you can try it at a slightly cooler temperature. There is no need for the wine to breathe before drinking and it can be matched with lighter-tasting dishes or meat dishes with light sauces, all according to your own personal liking. It also goes well with Chinese-style seafood dishes and is best finished within three days of opening.

Many cannot forget the Beaujolais Nouveau of 2003. That July and August saw days of sunny, hot weather which made that year's Beaujolais Nouveau a classic, as it was the first time since 1893 that there was an early harvest. In 2005, connoisseurs once again have the opportunity to try this great wine because, during the 15-day harvest period, the Beaujolais district had perfect weather, with no rain and only sunshine, creating great healthy grapes.

The general manager of St. Finesse, Sophia Fu, just returned from a visit to the Beaujolais production area. She says that this year's grapes are a darker red, and the fruit itself is smaller but richer in taste. The juice contains high levels of sugar, with the perfect balance of sour flavors. Many in the Beaujolais region believed that this year's harvest could be compared to, or will even surpass, that of 1989, 1997 or 2000. However, it was only after the winemaking process was complete that it was realized that this year's production might surpass the great year of 2003, creating even more anticipation. Compared to last year's production, though, this year's production quantity is smaller, although it is sure to be full of fragrance and the fresh fruit flavors.

In Taiwan, Beaujolais Nouveau wines are well loved by the white-collar set. The number of bottles sold in advance has consistently set new records each year. Taiwan is just behind Japan for Asian countries that are importing Beaujolais Nouveau wines. And you don't need to go to major hotels to enjoy the wine, either, as Beaujolais Nouveau can be purchased at many locations, including convenience stores and major supermarkets. Below are listed some great selections for sampling this outstanding wine on November 17.

Beaujolais Nouveau wines are divided into three categories, according to the location of the vineyards. These are Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages and Beaujolais Crus.

Georges Dubouf Beaujolais Villages Nouveau: Georges Dubouf is one of the biggest wineries in the French Beaujolais region, and has earned the name "King of Beaujolais". Many wine fans keenly await their yearly production. The grape color is a darker, deep purple red, while the fruit taste is stronger than new wines and has the fragrances of red berries, black cherries and strawberries. It goes well with pasta, simple meat dishes and light cheeses.
Bouchard Beaujolais Primeur: A a hundred-year-old winery in the French Burgundy region. The average vine there is over 50 years old, giving it the longest history in the region. The new wine grapes are limited in production. The fruit flavor is strong and the taste is smooth with low levels of sourness.
Georges Dubouf Beaujolais Villages Nouveau By Charles Darpier: Japan's famous wine specialist has also gone all the way to France to purchase these wines for Japan's 7-Eleven chain, and this is the first time this label has been introduced to Taiwan, also available at 7-Eleven stores.
Henry Fessy Beaujolais Nouveau: This vineyard has two wineries that process 100 hectares of grapes. All grapes are hand-picked. The red chestnut-colored grapes are rich in flavor and contain cherry, strawberry and banana flavors. This wine goes well with lighter cuisine or seafood.
Calvet Beaujolais Villages Primeur 2005: Known as the oldest wine-making family in France, this firm has over 200 years of experience. Their Beaujolais Nouveau is fruitier and contains less tannin; the rich red colors and fresh fruity fragrances makes these wines the choice of many hotels. Available at OK (Circle K), Niko Mart and Hi-Life and other convenience stores.
Advance purchases of wine at convenience stores can receive discounts of 15 to 21 percent. Advance orders at 7-Eleven are available until November 13 with a 21-percent discount. Advance order prices range from NT$458 to NT$660. Family Mart also offers a 21-percent discount and prices are NT$480 or below after discount.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The above article was written and researched by Taiwan Fun staff and is not an advertisement. However, due to certain government agencies' hyper-sensitivity to any alcoholic-related content, and persistent refusal to differentiate between content and advertising, we have gone ahead and added the alcohol warning labels below.