Not that I'm suggesting anyone here is a wine snob or has a head of "cement" :-) but:
November 21, 2008 by Wine Weekly Admin Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive! For those who don't speak French, what that means is the first wine of the 2008 vintage -- made from grapes picked only weeks ago -- has been bottled and is available for sale right now. Many snobs scoff at Nouveau, belittling its existence and poo-pooing it as "simple plonk". I'm not going to try to change the minds of such cement-heads, but rather explain the purpose of Nouveau to those who have open minds. First, before you taste a Nouveau it is important to have ZERO expectations. To meet its peak quality, wine -- any wine -- must spend some time aging, be it on its skins and lees, and/or in a barrel or other container. But with Beaujolais Nouveau, the goal is not to bottle a perfect wine. Rather, its purpose is to give a "sneak peek" as to the quality of the year's vintage. A second focus is to celebrate the fruits of the most recent harvest through the holiday season. So, bottom line is this: Beaujolais Nouveau will most likely not knock your socks off. This is not a wine to contemplate by the fire, nor to match with filet mignon. At the same time, it's not a wine to put in the most proper crystal glassware (though you can if you want), and not one to worry much about. Pour it over ice in a styrofoam cup and drink it with hot dogs -- it's totally OK. On the contrary, it is a wine to have fun with, to enjoy with friends during cocktail hour or with a holiday dinner. Turns out, Beaujolais Nouveau is an ideal partner with just about everything on the Thanksgiving table. http://www.wineweekly.com/wine-reviews/georges-duboeuf-beaujolais-nouveau-2008/
November 21, 2008 by Wine Weekly Admin
Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive!
For those who don't speak French, what that means is the first wine of the 2008 vintage -- made from grapes picked only weeks ago -- has been bottled and is available for sale right now.
Many snobs scoff at Nouveau, belittling its existence and poo-pooing it as "simple plonk". I'm not going to try to change the minds of such cement-heads, but rather explain the purpose of Nouveau to those who have open minds.
First, before you taste a Nouveau it is important to have ZERO expectations. To meet its peak quality, wine -- any wine -- must spend some time aging, be it on its skins and lees, and/or in a barrel or other container. But with Beaujolais Nouveau, the goal is not to bottle a perfect wine. Rather, its purpose is to give a "sneak peek" as to the quality of the year's vintage. A second focus is to celebrate the fruits of the most recent harvest through the holiday season.
So, bottom line is this: Beaujolais Nouveau will most likely not knock your socks off. This is not a wine to contemplate by the fire, nor to match with filet mignon. At the same time, it's not a wine to put in the most proper crystal glassware (though you can if you want), and not one to worry much about. Pour it over ice in a styrofoam cup and drink it with hot dogs -- it's totally OK. On the contrary, it is a wine to have fun with, to enjoy with friends during cocktail hour or with a holiday dinner. Turns out, Beaujolais Nouveau is an ideal partner with just about everything on the Thanksgiving table.
http://www.wineweekly.com/wine-reviews/georges-duboeuf-beaujolais-nouveau-2008/
Cheers :-) Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.
Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.
I have learned to obey him and anticipate his humours. Fortunately he has better taste than my gullet.
Oh come on, it's not an exam in social acceptability :-)
My liver doesn't seem to be complaining after my little celebration last night - even drinking the stuff offered in a few bars - though I did wake up in the early hours. But I did a bit more reading of "Conscience of a Liberal" - even if I don't have the conscience of a wine connoisseur :-) Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.
