Why the Third Thursday in November Is a Big Wine Deal in New York

What is the big deal that people are making over this one wine? The wine is called Beaujolais Nouveau (Bo-zha-lay new-voh) and don't refer to it as Boo jolais. Think of it this way, it is wine it doesn't scare you, so you don't need to call it Boo-jo-lais.

Anyway, this wine is not allowed to be sold before the third Thursday in November, seriously. No, I am not sure if the wine police will hunt you down and take your wine from you, but the reason for this is based on some French law, that dates back to 1951.

So what is this November wine all about? Is it a red wine or a white wine?

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It is a light red wine that is made from the Gamay grape. The wine itself is made by using a process called carbonic maceration. Ok, did your eyes just cross? What that means is the grapes, which have been picked by hand in whole clusters, are put into cement vats, and the weight of these grapes on top of one another, allows the juice inside to escape. The grapes, with the juice, don't have a lot of time to spend together, so the wine itself is fresh and fruit forward.

How do you serve this red wine? Will it go with Thanksgiving Dinner?

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It is usually served slightly chilled and in the US, a lot of people use this as their Thanksgiving wine, because it is low in tannin, ripe in red fruit character and pairs well with foods. If you are familiar with Pinot Noir, think of this as a lighter, similar wine to that, but fresher.

Which Beaujolais Nouveau is the best one? Does it matter?

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Ask your local wine shop to see which Beaujolais Nouveau they have selected. Then ask them why? Do they have a favorite? Do they suggest you serving them chilled? Room temperature? What do they think you should pair with this wine? Turkey, ham, maybe cheese or even hot dogs? Ask them, they know.

Wait, how much will this 'swanky' wine cost me per bottle?

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Are these wines expensive? Well, they will probably cost you anywhere between $11 and $17, depending on the brand. I saw one particular selection at one store for $10.99 and the same wine at a second store for $17.95. So expect the price of the wine to vary, depending on the size of the store you are in. If it looks good try it. If you don't like it, take notes to not try that one again.

If you are adventurous, grab one or two different ones to try out. Don't be surprised if you return to the store and they have sold out of your favorite. Keep in mind there are only a certain amount of cases made each year. If you run out though, you will find yourself waiting until the third Thursday of November 2023 for more. Cheers!
Want to learn more about wine, or just try new to you wines? Here's a few wine bars to check out

By the Glass, You Cannot Go Wrong at These 13 Upstate New York Wine Bars

Wine bars are spreading across Upstate New York rapidly. Not necessarily bars in the traditionally sense, or corner saloons, or cocktail lounges, but wine bars which focus mainly on the many varieties of wines from around the world.

Of course Upstate is no slouch when it comes to wine, with the Finger Lakes wineries now grabbing many of the headlines at wine expos and competitions around the country. But local wine producers, even the very small ones, are starting to nudge into the pack of award-winning vinos from coast to coast

Here is a list of 13 great wine bars. They all serve food and many of them have the word "restaurant" in their name, but as you will see, the wine is the superstar at all of these fine Upstate New York places.

Here are a few NYS wine trails to visit any time of year

These 12 Awesome Wine Trails Criss-Cross The Whole of Upstate New York

Over the last decade or more, the wine industry in Upstate New York has exploded. Today there are over 100 wineries across our region. Some of them are big, corporate wineries and vineyards. Others are smaller "mom-and-pop" wineries in out-of-the-way rural places. All are excellent.

Upstate New York has a 12 full-fledged wine trails to offer visitors. These "trails" are organized to maximize a wine lover's experience in Upstate New York. The trails on this list cover the Hudson Valley, Catskills and Adirondacks, Central New York, Finger Lakes, and Western New York regions.

Each entry has a link to the trail itself. Enjoy!

Saratoga Mansion Boasts 1600 Bottle Wine Cellar & Furnished Cabin in Yard

The outside of this $3 million mansion is deceivingly plain but is gorgeous throughout. There is an enormous walk-in closet, marble throughout the bathrooms, and a wet bar. The centerpiece of this home is a 1600 bottle wine room that is off of the living room. enclosed in glass walls. There is also a cool structure in the backyard that is a man cave cabin.

Filed Under: beaujolais nouveau, gamay, new york state, new york state wine, thanksgiving wine, wine trails

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