Fans of French wine are probably already waiting impatiently for the third Thursday of November, the day of the worldwide release of a very special cru from the southern Burgundy region.
Each year, bars, bistros, and typical French restaurants celebrate the Beaujolais Nouveau, pouring glasses of the latest batch of this wine for amateurs and connoisseurs to taste. In 2022, the fête falls on November 17th, and we’re so looking forward to celebrating in one our favorite wine bars in Paris after two years off!
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If you prefer to enjoy a meal along with your wine, you may want to go to your local bistro or try a classic bouillon-style restaurant to mark the oenological occasion. You’ll find an authentic atmosphere at these eateries along with special menus for the event, typically featuring saucisses and charcuterie as the red wine pairs well with pork.
A Bit of Background on Beaujolais Nouveau
The grapes used to make Beaujolais wines have been looked down on for centuries, with many claiming they could never produce a bon vin. In the 14th century, Philip the Bold—the Duke of Burgundy at the time—issued a ban on Gamay grapes, finding their wine too harsh and preferring the land be used to grow Pinot grapes instead. His grandson, Philippe le Bon, outlawed Gamay again some 60 years later in an effort to protect the region’s reputation for making the best wine.
Obviously, these bans didn’t last long, and Beaujolais wines have long since found their audience, making their way into almost every market around the world. Funnily enough, while Parisians are still hard at work on Wednesday, November 16th, it will already be Beaujolais o’clock in Tokyo, Japan.
Where to Go for Beaujolais Nouveau in Paris
Now that you know all about the holiday, it’s time to figure out where you should celebrate it! According to our community of Paris lovers, these are some of the best wine bars in Paris:
- Central Paris: Willi’s Wine Bar
- Le Marais: La Belle Hortense
- Saint Germain: La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
- Latin Quarter: Le Bar Dix
- Opéra – Saint Lazare: Le Bouclier de Bacchus
- Batignolles: Les Vins des Dames
- Montmartre: Boca Dos
See the official Beaujolais Nouveau Day website for a list of all the events happening in 2022.
For those who will be taking part in this yearly French tradition, there’s only one question left. The question that will be on everyone’s lips (before they’re on the edge of their glass): What will the Beaujolais Nouveau taste like this year?
Editor’s note: Article originally published November 15, 2019, last updated October 18, 2022.
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