Three 2003 “Nouveau” wines, all Beaujolais Nouveau from France, will be available at most PEI Liquor Control Commission stores across Prince Edward Island starting the morning of Thursday, November 20, 2003. Beaujolais Nouveau wines are the first to be released from the new vintage each year. The “Nouveau” wine tradition began many years ago in the Beaujolais region of France when local wine makers developed a quick maturing wine to celebrate the completion of the grape harvest with the workers. They called the new wine “Beaujolais Nouveau”.
Nouveau wines are produced by a unique process called carbonic maceration. In this process, grapes are placed uncrushed in vats and allowed to ferment while their skins are still intact. The grapes are then pressed to produce a fresh, fruity wine, which unlike other wines, is designed to be consumed immediately. Beaujolais Nouveau wines are always released on the third Thursday in November.
Over the years, the annual release of the Beaujolais Nouveau has evolved into an international event. Today, Beaujolais Nouveau accounts for more than one-third of the world wide wine sales from the Beaujolais region.
The three wines released this Thursday are very reasonably priced: Beaujolais Nouveau Drouhin at $18.90, Beaujolais Nouveau Duboeuf at $25.45 and Beaujolais Nouveau Mommessin at $17.90. Quantities of these Beaujolais Nouveau wines are limited; shop early and avoid any disappointments.
If the store manager nearest you does not carry these wines, please consult the manager and he/she will be pleased to acquire them for you.