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Each
fall, a French wine is shipped across the world, and
greeted with fanfare, parties, and zany publicity stunts.
Beaujolais Nouveau is always released on the third Thursday
of November, regardless of the start of the harvest;
French law stipulates that it cannot be sold any earlier.
The region of Beaujolais is just north of France's third
largest city, Lyon; nearly 4,000 grape growers make
their living hereabouts. All the grapes must be picked
by hand. Harvesting, fermentation, and bottling are
done exceptionally fast, to ensure the deadline is met.
Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young--usually
by the May following its release. However, some excellent
vintages remain good for an entire year. It is about
as close to white wine as red wine can get. Fruity,
and best when chilled, it is to be "gulped rather
than sipped," and "enjoyed... rather than
critiqued." The event is all about frivolous good
fun.
More than 65 million bottles of wine are transported
by jet, train, truck, and--in places like India--by
rickshaw or even elephant.
This tradition began in 1951, but for many years it
was a local affair. Eventually it spread to Paris, and
then--in the 1980s--around the world. It was tied to
the third Thursday of November in 1985, so that it could
be enjoyed over a weekend.
Serious wine buffs regard the race from grape to glass
as silly, but if you do want to take part in some of
this year's Beaujolais Nouveau events, try these establishments:
PIG AND WHISTLE (199, SzWei 4th Rd., LingYa,
Kaohsiung City; tel: 07-330-1006) will be holding a
"Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tasting" session
at 9 p.m. on November 18. There will be a qualified
expert on hand to introduce this year's wine, and also
an assortment of snacks and appetizers. Seating is limited,
so please book ahead by telephone or in person. Price
NT$350 per person.
EVERGREEN PLAZA HOTEL (TAINAN) (1, Lane 336,
JhongHua E. Rd., Tainan City; tel: 06-289-9988) has
a special promotion: From November 18, if you order
any of the chef's recommendations, you can get a glass
of Beaujolais Nouveau for just NT$100.
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