nuveau (sp)

[winophite]

Hello, glad I finally checked back to the home page to find the wineboard after the upgrade, hopefully not too late for my question. I recall reading about a wine that is released in early Nov every year called something like "nuveau", (spelled differently I'm sure) that is traditionally drank at thanksgiving celebrations the year of release. Can you give me any info on this? I don't have enough knowledge to even know what to startlooking for. Thanks for any help you can give. Winophite.

[Innkeeper]

Beaujolais Nouveau is released around November 18th each year. The first to reach North America comes by air. We have found that it is best to wait a week or so for the boat shipped version. It is usually more settled upon arrival. Your retailer, if he is honast, will be able to tell you the difference.

[wondersofwine]

Some large producers of Beaujolais wines, including the Beaujolais Nouveau, are Drouhin, Jadot and Georges duBoeuf. While Beaujolais Cru (such as Moulin a Vent, Morgon, Julienas) can last for several years, the Beaujolais Nouveau is intended to be consumed by January of February of the next year (that is the 2006 release should be drunk up by January or February of 2007). It definitely does not age well but is intended as a fun, fruity drink shortly after bottling.

[hypomoni]

I work with a girl from Worms Germany. She says she would drink the "new wine" in the fall and eat onion cake. She said the wine was creamy and only available for a short time, but very potent. Does anyone know anything about this?

[wondersofwine]

I don't think of it as being especially potent. I would have thought rather low alcohol by volume. The onion cake sounds like a popular dish of Alsace which borders Germany and is also sometimes seen in German restaurants (Zweibelkuchen in German).

Also, I don't know if your German friend was referring to Beaujolais Nouveau (a red wine from the Gamay grape in France) or to new white wine in Germany. In the fall you sometimes have a chance to sample the "wines in progress" that are not ready for bottling yet. They usually taste very grapey and may have lots of particles floating in the juice, etc.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 11-16-2006).]

[hypomoni]

Yes, that is exactly what she was describing...the wines in progress. Can you get that from a winery in NC in the fall?

[wondersofwine]

I just saw your followup question hypomoni. I'm not sure. You might contact Shelton Vineyards, www.sheltonvineyards.com. They bottle a nice Riesling and might be able to answer your quest.