Beaujolais Nouveau.
(Beaujolais wine, the new Beaujolais)
Beaujolais Nouveau – wine from the French (or rather burgundy) Beaujolais wine region. And the term “Beaujolais” refers to “serious” wines with a complex flavor (of the ten appellations – the so-called Cru de Beaujolais), and a simple but fantastically popular young wine Beaujolais Nouveau.
Subregion of Burgundy, Beaujolais – now the kingdom of grapes: the vineyards here cover the entire surface of the green hills, protected from the wet and cold westerly winds by mountains of Beaujolais. The main grape in the Beaujolais – Gamay black with white juice (Gamay noir and zhyus form, gamay noir à jus blanc), from which are produced all the red wines of Beaujolais.
The Beaujolais appellations distinguished 12 – Beaujolais (AOC Beaujolais), Beaujolais Village (AOC Beaujolais-Villages) and ten communal (there do not produce wine and the wine has a good potential for aging).
Accordingly, any wine Beaujolais Nouveau refers to either the AOC Beaujolais, or to the AOC Beaujolais-Villages.
Vineyards Beaujolais appellation (AOC Beaujolais) are located in the south, in the clay-limestone soils. It produces the most part it is Beaujolais Nouveau – red wine with a fresh fruity flavor that is drunk young, without delay.
Vineyards Beaujolais Village appellation (AOC Beaujolais-Villages) stretch a little further north, on granite soils. Wines are more astringent and less light than in the Beaujolais appellation. Many of them are stored in the bottle, one or two years. Produce here and not intended for aging Beaujolais Nouveau.
Beaujolais Nouveau produced by “karbonicheskoy (carbon dioxide, carbon, carbon) maceration.” Harvested grapes are not pressed, and the whole – with crests – is placed on the five days in small vats. There maceration – fermentation inside the undamaged fruit juice as a result of contact with the skin. After five days, fermented grapes are pressed, whereupon the fermentation continues. About a month later Beaujolais Nouveau wine – Beaujolais Nouveau – is ready. It is obtained by saturated colors, fresh, lively and bright, not too tart, with a fruity aroma and “explosive” taste.
Interestingly, the Gamay grapes – bystrosozrevayuschy, so Beaujolais grapes are harvested earlier than in other wine regions of France. That is why the XIX century Beaujolais winemakers have launched a noisy advertising campaign for the sale of the “first” (the time of sale, of course) wines of France, which immediately brought them considerable profit.
However, March 11, 1951 at the state level, the decision was made about the timing of realization of the new wine harvest. From now on, throughout the French wine can be sold no earlier than November 15th. Beaujolais winemakers have rebelled and demanded to give them the right to supply the market with their wines, regardless of the due date, as an argument pointing to the fact that their wines are ready to drink earlier. Such a possibility was given to them. The first years of a day of visiting the stores and breakfast bar a young Beaujolais was different. For example, in 1952 it took place on November 3 in 1953 – November 1st.
In 1967, the exact date of the start of sales of Beaujolais Nouveau (midnight November 15) was re-established by law. She observed up to 1985, with one exception: in 1977, when due to the climatic conditions of the grape harvest was harvested very late, Beaujolais Nouveau festival fell on November 25. In 1985, for the convenience of the date of sale wine Beaujolais Nouveau it was decided to move to the third Thursday of November.
The types and grades
On the labels of Beaujolais Nouveau wines compulsorily placed crop year (aka the year of manufacture of wine). Of course, good to eat only fresh Beaujolais Nouveau.
In addition, the labels designated appellation: any wine Beaujolais Nouveau refers to either the AOC Beaujolais, or to the AOC Beaujolais-Villages. It is believed that the Beaujolais wine appellation (AOC Beaujolais) – with a fresh fruity flavor and Beaujolais Village appellation (AOC Beaujolais-Villages) – slightly more astringent and less light.
How to cook
Serve Beaujolais Nouveau should be chilled to 12-14ºC.
To him fit a variety of dishes, but the French are most preferred meat, snacks and cheeses – the best of local produce such as goat or mild seshon kabrion. Good for Beaujolais Nouveau and Camembert.
In France, Beaujolais Nouveau combine with kayet (caillette) – a kind of brawn pork, liver, heart, with the addition of beet tops, celery and garlic (a fair amount). Only Beaujolais can withstand the vigorous mix! At the same time it does not lose its own taste and subtly accentuate the taste of your proposed snacks.
Remarkably combined with Beaujolais Nouveau Terrine of goose or duck liver and Vol au vent. Beaujolais Nouveau with this dish – out of competition. The texture, aroma and flavor palette of wine and Terina perfectly combined with each other.
Season
Beaujolais Nouveau – the November wine.
New Beaujolais Feast – the day when the wine appears on the menu of restaurants and stores – is celebrated worldwide on the third Thursday of November. And the home of the famous drink in the town of Beaujeu, the first bottle is opened at midnight – after twelve bells of the Church of St. Nicholas. A week before the holiday in cafes and restaurants hang colorful posters with the inscription «Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!» («Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!”).
The emergence of this holiday is connected with a number of events and facts.
Gamay – bystrosozrevayuschy grape, so the Beaujolais grapes are harvested earlier than in other wine regions of France. The current start date of the sale of Beaujolais Nouveau is installed in 1985. Wine Beaujolais Nouveau begin selling at midnight on the third Thursday of November.
As the Beaujolais Nouveau can not stand (with age it gets worse), it is better to buy a drink before Christmas and certainly no later than Easter next year.
On the labels of Beaujolais Nouveau wines compulsorily placed crop year (aka the year of manufacture of wine). Of course, in November, it is worth buying only Beaujolais Nouveau this year. Last year’s Beaujolais Nouveau is worth buying except in January and February.
How to choose and store
Beaujolais Nouveau buy in November or following it during the winter months. Keep Beaujolais Nouveau is possible unless to spring from vyzherzhki this wine just spoiled.
If there is a need to preserve the Beaujolais Nouveau for a two or three months, any special rules for its storage does not exist: you can put the bottle in the fridge, but you can keep it at room temperature – except that prior to use and dilute to 12-14ºC.
