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- 3rd Thursday of November
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Beaujolais Nouveau Day uncorks a global celebration every third Thursday of November, marking the release of the year’s fresh, fruity French wine. This vibrant tradition invites wine lovers to gather, toast the harvest, and enjoy the light-bodied Gamay. Discover local events, pair it with your favorite foods, and share in the joyous spirit of this annual vinous release.
Want to sponsor Beaujolais Nouveau Day? Learn how
Expected Beaujolais Nouveau Day Deals
While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that Beaujolais Nouveau Day brings exciting deals from wine retailers and restaurants. Look for special tastings and bottle discounts at stores like Total Wine & More and BevMo!. Many French restaurants, including chains like Mon Ami Gabi, will feature special menus and pairings. Local wine bars and bistros often host uncorking parties. Keep an eye out for promotions from importers like Georges Duboeuf and Maison Louis Jadot, who are key players in bringing this wine to the US. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as November 18 approaches.
Platform Guide for Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BeaujolaisNouveauDay. Share photos of your first pour, tasting notes, or creative food pairings with this vibrant wine.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #BeaujolaisNouveauDay. Film a quick unboxing and tasting video, or show off your Beaujolais-themed party preparations.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #BeaujolaisNouveauDay. Tweet about your favorite Beaujolais Nouveau producers or join discussions on the best food to pair with it.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day Hero
Georges Duboeuf
History of Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Though the harvest of Beaujolais Nouveau has been celebrated for centuries, this locally grown wine was little known outside its region until WWII. Originally released for sale every year on December 15, the Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins du Beaujolais (U.I.V.B.) brought the date forward to November 15 in 1951. Perhaps no one has done more to celebrate this young, vibrant wine than winemaker and entrepreneur Georges Duboeuf.
In the 1970s, Duboeuf spearheaded a campaign to promote the wine in his home country, capturing the French imagination with the slogan “Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!” By 1985, Beaujolais Nouveau had become so popular throughout Europe that the release date was moved to the third Thursday of November to bring it closer to the weekend. In the 1990s, the wine made its way across the Atlantic to America, and the rest, as they say, is history!
It couldn’t have come at a better time for America. With the holiday falling the week before Thanksgiving, Beaujolais Nouveau has become a go-to pairing with roast turkey and cranberry sauce. In fact, the wine has gained gastronomic importance in its home country, inspiring French chefs to make renditions of traditional Burgundy dishes such as Coq au Vin and poached pears.
As far as wines go, Beaujolais Nouveau is certainly on the less complex side of the spectrum. According to wine critic Karen MacNeil, “Drinking it gives you the same kind of silly pleasure as eating cookie dough.” But let there be no doubt: Beaujolais Nouveau is essentially a harvest celebration, with the main fervor centered on the spirit of newness.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day timeline
English clubs hold races in which drivers compete to be the first to deliver Beaujolais Nouveau when it is released.
Swansea’s No Sign Bar helps to popularize Beaujolais Nouveau in Great Britain.
Minneapolis becomes only the second city in the United States after New York to import the wine.
The official slogan is changed to “It’s Beaujolais Nouveau Time!”
How Businesses Can Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day
Local restaurants and wine bars can host ‘Beaujolais Nouveau Uncorking Parties’ on the third Thursday of November, offering special flights and food pairings. Retailers can create festive displays, educate customers on the wine’s history, and offer discounts on early purchases. Consider collaborating with French bakeries or cheese shops to offer complementary products. Promote your events using #BeaujolaisNouveauDay to attract enthusiasts and introduce new customers to this lively tradition.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day FAQs
When is Beaujolais Nouveau Day?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2026 falls on Thursday, November 19. This annual celebration marks the release of the new vintage, just weeks after the grapes are harvested in France.
How much Beaujolais Nouveau is produced annually?
Approximately 25 million liters of Beaujolais Nouveau are produced each year, with a significant portion exported globally. This volume ensures that wine enthusiasts around the world can participate in the annual uncorking.
How is Beaujolais Nouveau Day celebrated internationally?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is celebrated with great fanfare in France, particularly in Lyon, and in over 100 countries worldwide. Events range from grand festivals to intimate tastings, all centered around the ceremonial uncorking of the young wine.
What is 'nouveau' wine?
A ‘nouveau’ or ‘vin de primeur’ wine is one that is fermented and sold in the same year the grapes are harvested. Beaujolais Nouveau is the most famous example, known for its rapid production and release just weeks after harvest.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day Activities
Celebrate in style
Beaujolais Nouveau is typically served slightly chilled and pairs readily with a wide selection of cheeses and canapés. Celebrate this holiday with a party to mark the occasion with friends and family.
Take the party to France
Every year, hundreds of Beaujolais Nouveau festivals are held throughout France. Les Sarmentelles, held in the region’s capital, Beaujeu, is one not to be missed.
Plan your Thanksgiving dinner
Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which falls just a week before Thanksgiving, is the ideal time to go wine shopping for the extremely quaffable wine. It will perfectly complement your Thanksgiving dinner, with plenty to go around for everyone.
5 Interesting Facts About Beaujolais Nouveau
Numero uno
The United States is only the third-largest exporter of Beaujolais Nouveau, behind Japan and Germany.
The human touch
Apart from Champagne, Beaujolais Nouveau is the only wine that is made from grapes handpicked by growers.
Beauty before age
The relatively low tannin content in Beaujolais Nouveau is what makes it drinkable so early.
Short and sweet
The wine is fermented for just two weeks through a process called “carbonic maceration,” which softens its tannins, giving it its signature fruity taste.
By all means…
People have raced to deliver freshly bottled Beaujolais Nouveau around the world using different modes of transport, such as elephants, supersonic jets, and even hot-air balloons!
Why We Love Beaujolais Nouveau Day
A celebration of life
Above all else, Beaujolais Nouveau is a celebration of newness! It is an opportunity to toast the memory of the harvest in a spirit of renewal and regeneration.
Great excuse for a shindig
Organize a soirée and serve the wine chilled with soft and semi-soft cheeses such as brie, Camembert, and feta. Beaujolais Nouveau pairs well with finger food, salty crackers, and charcuterie. Nutty desserts such as pecan pie and almond cakes are ideal to match with the wine for dessert.
Perfect time for a tasting
Some wine shops offer free dégustation (tasting) sessions of Beaujolais Nouveau. If you’re new to wine, this is a great way to introduce yourself if you're new to wine.
Beaujolais Nouveau Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 20 | Thursday |
| 2026 | November 19 | Thursday |
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