PARIS Nov 17, 2005 — Beaujolais Nouveau is getting an English makeover. The slogan "It's Beaujolais Nouveau time" will replace the time-honored cry of "Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive!" ("Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!") when revelers ring in the French wine at midnight Thursday with a bacchanalian feast stretching from Sydney, Australia, to San Francisco.
The new slogan is part of a $1.17 million campaign by winegrowers to attract a hipper young clientele for their product amid slumping wine sales in France.
"Instead of drinking Coke, we are telling young people it's better to drink a glass of Beaujolais," said Michel Rougier, head of the group promoting the region's wines.
first the disclaimer: I'm no expert--but I do love wine and wine with food. That said, I love Beaujolais Nouveau with Turkey and we have started with it many Thanksgivings. to me, the whole meal is really an impossible match for wine--to many sweets and crazy flovors together but the B>N> works well. We often move into a heavier bodied red from there--like Cabernet or everybody's current favorite Pinot Noir.
anyway, Happy Turkey day and happy sipping to you!
I am a wino--not a wine snob, for sure--but I tried this with T-giving a long time ago (when I was still eating turkey!). I strongly disliked this wine. I remember distinctly pouring this down the drain!!!! Che scandolo! I hav eheard over the years that this is allegedly a great pairing. Perhaps it was the MEAL or company I didn't like?
I use red zins and for the white drinkers, a savingnon blanc (b/c I dislike chardonnay) or something slightly more full bodied. OK, OK, like I said, I am not a pairing person. Ijust drink what I like.
I happened on a tasting of nouveau beaujolais yesterday at David Berkeley, a local wine/gourmet food shop. Six wines, ranging from pleasant but not very interesting to pleasant but not very interesting. I think my favorite thing about this wine is the sound of the name!
The international "beaujolais nouveau" phenomenon was created as a marketing campaign by the wine growers and succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. I am sure it was fun to be in Paris in the pre-phenomenon days as the wine was rushed in from the vineyards and to experience a glass or two on the official release day. For me, the best of the "nouveau" is pleasant and most of the rest ranges from barely drinkable to unpalatable.
I would agree that a good "nouveau" is a decent match for the Thanksgiving feast....easy to drink and not troubled by all the different flavors on the table. However, my wine of choice for turkey day is a nice prosecco.
I guess I've been lucky to have only tasted Beaujolais Nouveau that's been "pleasant," at the very least! Thanks for your comments. I think I'll give BN a chance this year with Turkey Day dinner.
I blogged about the BN, since I am in France. Its a big excuse to party here! As well as a successful marketing campaign for the rest of the world.
BTW: Its excellent with Turkey...its fruity like cranberries (though the french say its strawberries and other red fruits since they dont eat cranberries).
Dont tell the frenchies, but I love Prosecco too!!! YUM!!!
I think Prosecco would be a great pairing with turkey but to me, Prosecco goes well with everything.
I also really like Rieslings. In one of this months food magazines they reccomend two wines as good partners for turkey. Beringer Dry Riesling, Napa Firesteed Pinot Noir, Ore
I have not tried either of these yet but think I'll give them a go for T day. Colleen
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