Beaujolais Nouveau Season in Paris

From Jacob Kleinman

The French may not celebrate Thanksgiving, but on the third Thursday of November they find something of their own to be thankful for: wine. To be specific, the yearly vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau, an unpretentious, freshly harvested and often fruity red wine that comes from the southern half of the Beaujolais region. Across the country the French celebrate by drinking Beaujolais and enjoying the ensuing revelry that comes from enjoying too much wine, and in the nation’s capital many wine shops offer free tastings or "dégustations" of the Gamay wine, accompanied by snacks.

A Beaujolais tasting tour of Paris is not for the weak of heart nor for the low of tolerance, but for the brave and foolhardy it is an excellent and unique way to explore the city and participate in some great free tastings.

Pictured here: Le Vin en Tête, a small chain of Parisian wine shops, led the celebrations this year. Each location offered "dégustations" of four varieties of Beaujolais Nouveau as well as an accompanying assortment of bread and charcuterie.

At their main wine bar, employees and customers worked together to fill bottles with Beaujolais Nouveau straight from the barrel. Inside, free tastings of the new vintage were offered while speakers blasted disco music, and an employee served up free cups of French onion soup from a large pot outside the bar.

Le Vin en Tête
53 rue Saint-Placide
Metro: Saint-Placide

Click through for more examples of key places to head for Beaujolais tastings in Paris, in 2012 and beyond. Also see our feature, Top Paris Wine Bars, for more suggestions.

Previous

• Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting Season in Paris: Overview and Info for 2012
• Tastings at Cave Augé
• Comparing and Contrasting Wines: A Lesson in Taste
• At New Wine Bar Nectar des Batignolles
• Following a Different Drummer: Beaujolais Crus
• A Festive Spread at Batignolles Wine Bar
• At Au Sauvignon Bar

Next