It comes but once a year, but is the holiday we get most excited about at this time of year. No, we’re not talking about Christmas, for once, but Beaujolais Nouveau Day. The annual wine lover’s holiday sees the fresh-from-the-vine wine launch across the world this Thursday (November 16).
What is Beaujolais Nouveau Day?
While wine-making is never something to be rushed, and many are celebrated for their vintage, Beaujolais nouveau is beloved for its youthfulness. This Fench red wine is produced in the Beaujolais region, with the wine’s grapes harvested just weeks before it goes on sale. Which, under French law, is always released on the third Thursday of November.
Distributors then race to get the first bottles out across the world and, every year, the release is often celebrated with fireworks, music and festivals. It’s suggested all bottles should be consumed by the following May. Originating about a century ago, as a cheap drink to celebrate the end of harvest, Beaujolais nouveau is a fresh, light-coloured red best served chilled.
To celebrate, KASK will be throwing their annual Beaujolais Nouveau Party again on Thursday. Pouring the fresh-from-the-vines wines non-stop and serving up some seriously good cheese and charcuterie to go with it. Adding to the festivities, KASK will be playing back-to-back French-pop-bangers from a playlist curated by neighbours Friendly Records.
“It’s one of our favourite nights of the year because it guarantees total nonsense and chaos,” said Charlie Taylor, co-owner of KASK. “More serious parts of the wine industry sniff at it but wine’s made to be enjoyed, and there’s nothing easier to enjoy than Beaujolais Nouveau. It’s intentionally uncomplicated, completely smashable and super tasty.”
This year KASK has got seven different Nouveau’s to be poured from kegs, bag-in-boxes and bottles. They’ll be shared around until they’re gone! It will also be offering flights of small pours so customers can try a variety without breaking the bank. To get involved with the party, book a table via KASK’s website but walk-ins are welcome too.
If these Gamay grapes don’t sound like your glass of wine, KASK’s regular fortnightly Wine and Cheese Tasting will look at the more sophisticated wines of Beaujolais the day before (November 15). They’ll also be repeating this tasting event on November 22. To get your tickets or book a table at KASK head here.