Thursday November the 21st is Beaujolais Nouveau day! This is the day that Beaujolais Nouveau from 2024 will be on sale all around the world, with this deliciously gluggable red enjoyed in bars, restaurants and homes. But what is Beaujolais Nouveau? And what other wines are made in Beaujolais?

Nouveau

Typically the first wine of the new vintage to be released in France, Beaujolais Nouveau is made using a technique known as carbonic maceration. This method extracts lots of fruit flavour from the grapes without heavy tannins, giving a wine that doesn't require any ageing before drinking. Like all red Beaujolais, it is made exclusively from the Gamay Noir variety.

The technique works by putting whole clusters of undamaged grapes (hand harvesting is essential for this) in a tank which is then filled with carbon dioxide. The anaerobic environment causes the grapes to start to ferment from the inside, which produces aromas ranging from strawberry jam and violets to bubblegum! 

The wines are best drunk young to enjoy the vibrant fruit character and lightly chilled to benefit their light nature.

Domaine Andre Colonge et Fils Beaujolais Nouveau Villages 2024 - £14.95

From a family estate in the village of Lancie, this Nouveau carries the Villages label, denoting the higher quality vineyards the grapes were grown in. 

Bursting with ripe, juicy fruit - blueberry and strawberry, compote-like in the intense sweetness of their aroma - with a wisp of marshmallow-confection. The palate is dry and light in body, but retains the delectable intensity of fruit found in the aroma. Enjoy a chilled bottle (or two) of this with friends and a charcuterie board to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day this year!

'Regular' Beaujolais

Wines simply labelled Beaujolais can come from anywhere in the region and are often made using the same carbonic maceration method as Beaujolais Nouveau and are typically also simple but delicious fruit-forward wines for drinking young.

Beaujolais-Villages wines come from a smaller area known for higher quality and may show a little more depth and structure, varying in style between producers.

Les Pivoines Beaujolais-Villages 2022 - £13.99

The exuberant, slightly candied fruit of carbonic maceration is evident on the nose, with strawberry sweets and a hint of banana alongside a light rose note. A juicy, fruit forward and easy drinking wine perfect for drinking on a picnic with a light chill.

The Crus

Within Beaujolais there are 10 crus that give their name to wines, each with their own personality derived from differing soil types and aspects. Expect wines from these crus to have a greater level of intensity and complexity, and an ability to age in bottle (particularly Morgon and Moulin-a-Vent).

Domaine de la Chapelle Bizot Chiroubles Cuvee SB 2021 - £15.49

Chiroubles is Beaujolais' highest altitude cru and it's wines reflect that in a delicate, floral and red-fruit style. This lovely example displays that in a silky and refreshing package, with cranberry and alpine strawberry notes alongside subtle hints of lily and pomegranate.

Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly Les Sept Vignes 2022 - £25.95 Sustainable, In Organic Conversion

Among the oldest and most well-loved producers in all of Beaujolais, Chateau Thivin. Their vineyards are on the hillsides on Mont Brouilly, which has a unique volcanic terroir rich in blue metadiorite stones. Les Sept Vignes is their blend of seven plots from the rockiest top of the hill to more clay-rich vineyards at the base. Traditional whole-cluster fermentation is followed by 7 months ageing in large oak tuns.

The nose shows a complex balance of floral red fruits, peony and cherry, with some more earthy and savoury notes of elder, undergrowth and stony minerality. Medium-bodied, with excellent balance and length on the palate showing the pedigree of this superb terroir and producer.

The White

There is a good chance that you were unaware of the existence of Beaujolais Blanc before now - Chardonnay makes up just 2% of the growing area of the region - but with the rising prices of white wine (well, all wine..) from neighbouring Burgundy, more attention is being given to the potential of white wine from Beaujolais. The style is often similar to that of it's closest neighbour, the Maconnais, with wines ranging from simple and fruit-driven, to more complex styles that can rival a good Pouilly-Fuisse and provide superb value.

Chateau Bellevue Beaujolais Blanc 2022 - £21 Organic

Chateau Bellevue have 18ha of prime Morgon vineyards and, since taking charge in the 2022 vintage, winemaker Elodie Rousselot is doing a wonderful job producing gastronomic and elegant wines, including an excellent white. Aged in a mixture of old and new wood to add complexity, it combines richness and freshness in a way that will appeal to all lovers of great Chardonnay.

Quince, acacia flowers, pear and toasty notes combine on the nose, giving a bold first impression. Round and generous on the palate, with stone fruit and honey notes before a nice gentle acidity comes through in the finish.