Beaujolais Nouveau Day Glossary

Unless you’re a seasoned oenophile, some of the words and terms related to Beaujolais Day may be new to you. 

We can’t promise to make you a wine expert in one sitting however we hope our Beaujolais Day Glossary will help make things a little more enjoyable for you on the day.

Beaujolais – A wine-producing region of France, north of Lyon.   Beaujolais is also the name of the wine produced by this region.

Beaujolais Day (also ‘Beaujolais Nouveau Day’) – The 3rd Thursday in November and the official release date for the year’s Beaujolais Nouveau wine

Carbonic Maceration – A winemaking technique, within a limited oxygen environment, used to create Beaujolais Nouveau

Gamay – The type of grape used to make Beaujolais wine.

Georges Duboeuf –  A winemaker who became known as ‘The Pope of Beaujolais’ due to his efforts in raising the profile of Beaujolais Day and Beaujolais wine in general.

Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé – The new Beaujolais [wine] has arrived

Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu – A long-running, five-day festival held in Beaujeu to celebrate Beaujolais Day

Vins de Primeur – Youthful wines (including Beaujolais Nouveau) legally allowed to be sold in their year of production.