Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. Wine is released for sale on the third Thursday of November. “Beaujolais Nouveau Day” used to see heavy marketing, with races to get the first bottles to different markets around the globe. But not any more, even labels seem to be same
The current release practice is to ship the wine ahead of the third Thursday of November, and release it to the local markets at 00.01 AM local time. In Finland Alko, monopoly company selling wines and alcohol, starts selling these wines at 09.00 on Thursday 16th November, 2017.
This year wines available from Alko were Albert Bichot Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau and Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. So no changes compared to last year.
THE LOOK
Albert Bichot did not have time to renew label? One fun part are the labels which are colorful and creative. Luckily Georges Duboeuf did not dissappoint.
Both wines are almost violet, blue-reddish like young wines always are. But I think this year they are darker than last year.
THE NOSE
Fruity, even sweet aroma especially when using tasting glass. Rasberry and fruit candy scent came in to the nose from both wines.
It seems that Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau has more deep bouquet again.
THE TASTE
Young, light fruity wines. Berries dominate, but on the other hand taste is skinny. Aroma is better than taste, but with street food and pizzas, both wines pair basically ok.
Facts:
Georges Duboeuf Albert Bichot
Alcohol: 13,00 % 13,00 %
Acidity: 5,2 g/l 5,5 g/l
Energy: 80 kcal / 100 ml (280 kJ / 100 ml) 70 kcal / 100 ml (290 kJ / 100 ml)
Albert Bichot cost 0,50€ more, why? Same label as last year, more modest taste.
REVIEW:
Georges Duboeuf OVERALL GRADE 3,5/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK ++/+++
Albert Bichot OVERALL GRADE 3/5 – BANG FOR THE BUCK +/+++
Reijosfood 
[…] Over the past few years, I noticed that Georges Duboeuf wines are produced with different labels within the same vintage. 2017 was not an exception – I saw different labels on Internet, and I also saw different types of enclosures in the different markets. All 3 wines I tried were enclosed with some type of cork, natural or synthetic. But then I saw Georges Duboeuf wines enclosed with a screwtop, for instance, in Helsinki – you can see it here. […]
It is more a marketing thing, and has catch up making GD a great empire near Mâcon. Something to follow on a tradition but for wines try the Villages and cru beaujolais like a Juliénas, Fleurie, etc. Cheers
It is interesting how much of the Beaujolais Nouveau is marketing… I just bought 3 different bottles here in the US to try tomorrow (didn’t have time on Thursday). Georges Duboeuf is one of the 3, has very different label, and enclosed with standard cork instead of screwtop – I guess they are trying to present the wine as higher quality wine here. And to top it off, it costs less than last year. Interesting…
Very modest in Finland. But here wines can not be promoted due to regulation
It’s years since I’ve had Beaujolais Nouveau. Used to be such a fun thing to drink the night it arrived in London. Good excuse to go to the pub! It was usually Georges Duboeuf. It’s not great drinking, but fun. Was in Beaujolais in the summer and brought back some lovely wines.
Hardly can say it is wine 😄