Beaujolais Nouveau, the classic red wine made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France, has arrived. By law in France, the third Thursday of November is Beaujolais Nouveau Day, a celebration of harvest and perhaps the French equivalent of Thanksgiving. That is when this popular young wine fermented for only weeks before being released for sale; releasing it before is illegal.
Although Nouveau has been consumed and celebrated by vignerons for centuries, the holiday rose to fame in the early 1950's when wine makers would race to get to Paris from Beaujolais in carts and cars and carriages. The first to arrive with the wine in hand would sell the most wine and, more importantly, get showered with Champagne. The phrase "Le Beaujolais est arrive" comes from that racing history.
If you want to get in the holiday spirit with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, several restaurant in Denver and beyond are featuring it. What you will find on most lists is Jean Baronnat, a producer from one of the last remaining family-owned estates in the region. He only makes 500 cases and a local distribution company takes 350 of them. You will also find Domaine J. Boulon, Jean Foillard, and *fingers crossed* more.
Disclaimer: We advise to call ahead to ensure the Beaujolais Nouveau is still available at the restaurants included in this map.
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