Every November, something quietly special happens in the world of wine. On the third Thursday, bottles of a young red from Beaujolais, a small region south of Burgundy, are released with a burst of celebration. It’s called Beaujolais Nouveau Day, and while it might sound like a marketing gimmick to some, it’s one of those rare moments when wine manages to be both joyful and down-to-earth.
I love this day because it reminds us what wine is really about — connection, community, and curiosity. It’s not about cellars and prestige. It’s about sharing something new, tasting a fresh season, and raising a glass to simple pleasures.
A Brief History: From the Vine to the Village
Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local celebration. After the harvest, winemakers in the Beaujolais region would make a quick, light wine to enjoy while the rest of the year’s wines matured. It was a way to toast the end of harvest — nothing fancy, just a reward for hard work.
By the mid-20th century, the idea of releasing this first wine of the vintage turned into a nationwide event in France. The official release date became fixed in 1985 — the third Thursday of November — and the rest of the world soon joined in. Today, cafés, wine bars, and small merchants (like me here on Skye) still open their doors to mark the day.
The Wine Itself: Light, Fresh and Honest
Beaujolais Nouveau is made entirely from the Gamay grape, a variety known for its soft tannins, bright fruit, and lively acidity. What makes it stand out is the method used — carbonic maceration — a process that ferments whole grapes in sealed tanks. Instead of extracting deep colour and complex flavours, it keeps the wine fruity, fresh, and low in bitterness.
The result? A glass that smells of cherries, strawberries, and violets. It’s not meant to be pondered for hours — it’s meant to be enjoyed. Ideally chilled slightly, poured generously, and shared without ceremony.
Do you ever wish wine could just be fun again — something to drink with friends without the fuss? That’s what Beaujolais Nouveau does best.
Why It Still Matters
You might ask, “Isn’t it just a young wine released early?” Fair question. But there’s more to it.
Beaujolais Nouveau reminds us that wine is seasonal. It captures the taste of the year’s harvest — the weather, the ripeness, the work of the growers — bottled within weeks. In an era of uniform supermarket wine, that sense of seasonality is refreshing.
It also connects us to the idea of immediacy. We don’t have to wait years to enjoy it. We can celebrate the here-and-now, knowing that this vintage will never taste quite the same again.
And finally, it celebrates craft. I’ve met winemakers in Beaujolais who still treat Nouveau as an expression of pride. They’ll tell you that making a clean, bright, drinkable red in such a short time takes precision. You can’t hide behind oak or age. You have to get it right, right away.
How to Enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau
The key to enjoying Beaujolais Nouveau is to keep it simple. This isn’t a wine for long ageing or complicated food. It’s for relaxed evenings and easy pairings.
Here are a few ways I like to serve it:
- Slightly chilled, around 12–13 °C — it keeps the fruit vibrant.
- With charcuterie or soft cheese — think French brie, saucisson, or even a local Scottish goat’s cheese.
- Alongside roasted chicken, pasta, or pizza — it’s a red that plays nicely with most foods.
- At a gathering — it’s a perfect conversation starter. You can pour it for seasoned wine lovers or complete beginners, and both will find something to enjoy.
If you’re staying on the Isle of Skye, I can help you find a bottle ready for your arrival. Many visitors love having a few local-sourced or French bottles waiting in their accommodation — it’s one of those small touches that makes a trip memorable.
Would you like to have your wine ready when you arrive at your holiday accommodation?
Beyond the Buzz: What Beaujolais Teaches Us About Wine
I often say that every wine tells a story. Beaujolais Nouveau’s story is about joy in imperfection. It’s not polished or aged into complexity, but it’s authentic — and sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
When I visit vineyards in France, I’m reminded that even the most celebrated winemakers started with wines like this: young, energetic, sometimes unpredictable. Tasting them fresh from the tank reminds me that wine is alive. It changes every year, and that’s something to celebrate.
There’s also a lesson here about how we approach wine. Not every bottle needs to be an event. Some should simply make you smile and bring people together. Beaujolais Nouveau does that in spades.
How It Fits with the Season
By November, most of us are ready for comfort. The clocks have changed, evenings draw in, and we start thinking about festive meals. A bright, juicy red like Beaujolais Nouveau bridges the gap perfectly — light enough for autumn evenings, cheerful enough to carry into December celebrations.
If you’re already planning wines for Christmas or New Year, this can be your starter wine. Serve it at a casual dinner before the main events begin, or bring it along to a gathering as a talking point.
And for those who prefer something more structured later in the month, I often recommend moving from Beaujolais Nouveau to a Cru Beaujolais such as Fleurie or Morgon — same grape, but made for a longer life. It’s a great way to taste the evolution from young to mature.
A Toast to Tradition
In a world that moves too fast, I think it’s worth pausing once a year to mark the release of something so grounded in tradition. The third Thursday of November isn’t about prestige — it’s about people. Growers, makers, drinkers, all celebrating the simple fact that another harvest has been safely bottled.
So this year, I’ll be opening a few bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau here on Skye and sharing them with customers and friends. I’ll raise a glass to the growers who made it, to those who enjoy it, and to the reminder that sometimes the best wines are the ones we drink right now.
Would you like to try a bottle that captures the spirit of the season? Visit www.wineguyonskye.com or contact me to have your November wines ready and waiting for you — whether you’re staying on the island or ordering from across the UK.