Beaujolais

[wondersofwine]

Okay Liz,
Beaujolais Nouveau comes out in November (in time for Thanksgiving). It should be consumed by February of the following calendar year (February 2006). Georges du Boeuf is a Beaujolais producer/negociant/shipper of huge quantities and his Nouveau Beaujolais may be the easiest to find but in past years I prefered the product from Joseph Drouhin. Louis Jadot is another possibility.
Beaujolais-Villages and Cru Beaujolais are not vinified the same way as Beaujolais Nouveau and can hold for two to four years, in some cases more like eight years. (Moulin-a-Vent and Morgon are two Cru Beaujolais that have some resemblance to red Burgundy and may have more staying power.) Other Cru Beaujolais are Fleurie, Brouilly, Cote de Brouilly, Saint Amour, Julienas, Chenas, Chirouble and Regnie'. (I had to look up the last two). Louis Jadot sometimes makes a nice Beaujolais-Villages (less per bottle than the Cru Beaujolais.) 2003 may be atypical due to very hot summer but some 2002 would probably still be available and drinkable or wait for the 2004. The Beaujolais Nouveau will be 2005 in November.