Beaujolais Nouveau and Thanksgiving week, the biggest food and wine holidays of the year

With the annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau last Thursday and Thanksgiving this Thursday we are smacked dab in the middle of the true testament to Epicurean delights.

So to observe a truly tasty time (except perhaps for those suffering from Deinophobia) I will make it a point to post food and wine tidbits daily.

For a good start visit http://www.foodnetwork.com/thanksgiving/package/index.html


As for beaujolais, a few things to remember:

the Nouveau variety is meant for current consumption (not aging as you would do with higher end wines). It, like all beaujolais, is made from the Gamay grape which is indigenous to the beaujolais region in the Burgundy region of France, best know for pinot noir type wines. There are several variations of beaujolais, such as "cru" or top quality wines which come from the top ten villages: St Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Moulin-a-Vent, Fleurie, Chiroubles, Morgon, Regnie, Brouilly and Cote de Brouilly. Of those you'll most like only find Regnie or Fleurie in the QCA.

Any wines from the region may be sold as Beaujolais Villages which is of lower quality and Nouveau would be of that level. It is simple and approachable especially if from producers such as Georges Duboeuf or Louis Jadot (again most often what you'll see around here) or Joseph Drouhin, one of the oldest and most famous Burgundian producers. Best of all this wine is CHEAP...rarely over about $12/bottle!! It also can go well with Thanksgiving dinner due to its red fruitiness and low tannic (mouth puckering) effect...and can be served chilled (yes red wine can be chilled believe it or not).

While I prefer pinot noirs and French rieslings for a varied occasion like Thanksgiving, A Beaujolais, esp the cru varieties or even Villages, can go nicely as well. And if nothing else grab a couple bottles of Nouveau - as easy and inexpensive as it is even you amateur oenophiles...or worse, self proclaimed wine dislikers - will most likely be thanking me for the suggestion.

For those who wouldn't, tough...there's always your Crud Light.