Beaujolais nouveau
Beaujolais nouveau
Pronunciation
IPA phonetic spelling:
Beaujolais nouveau /boʊʒəˈleɪ nuːˈvoʊ/
Syllable breakdown:
Beau-jo-lais: /boʊ.ʒə.leɪ/
/b/ - voiced bilabial stop
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "boat")
/ʒ/ - voiced palato-alveolar sibilant (as in "measure")
/ə/ - schwa (mid-central vowel)
/l/ - alveolar lateral approximant
/eɪ/ - diphthong (as in "day")
nou-veau: /nuː.voʊ/
/n/ - alveolar nasal
/uː/ - close back rounded vowel (as in "moon")
/v/ - voiced labiodental fricative
/oʊ/ - diphthong (as in "boat")
Word Form Variations
Singular: Beaujolais nouveau
Plural: Beaujolais nouveaux (though often used as a collective singular in English, referring to the annual release)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A specific type of young, fruity red wine made from Gamay grapes, produced in the Beaujolais region of France and traditionally released for sale on the third Thursday of November each year.
Synonyms: New Beaujolais, young Gamay wine, first-release Beaujolais
Antonyms: Aged wine, mature wine, vintage wine
The annual celebration or event marking the release of this wine, often accompanied by festivities and immediate consumption.
Synonyms: Beaujolais Nouveau Day, new wine release party
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it refers to a specific event)
Examples of Use
Books:
"Every third Thursday of November, my father would bring home a bottle of Beaujolais nouveau, a tradition he'd started after his first trip to France." (From a fictional memoir, A Taste of Home, by Eleanor Vance, 2018)
"The chapter on French wines would be incomplete without a mention of Beaujolais nouveau, a prime example of carbonic maceration in winemaking." (From The Sommelier's Handbook, by David Schmidt, 2022)
Newspapers:
"Restaurants across the city are preparing for the annual uncorking of Beaujolais nouveau, with many offering special menus and live music." (The New York Times, Food & Wine Section, November 14, 2024)
"Despite a challenging growing season, early reports suggest this year's Beaujolais nouveau will be surprisingly vibrant and full-bodied." (The Wall Street Journal, Lifestyle Section, October 28, 2024)
Online Publications:
"Your definitive guide to Beaujolais nouveau: What it is, why it's released in November, and how to pick the best bottle." (From Wine Folly website, "Wine Basics" section, November 7, 2024)
"We tasted 10 different Beaujolais nouveau wines from the 2024 vintage—here are our top picks for your Thanksgiving table." (From Food & Wine Magazine online, "Wine Reviews," November 20, 2024)
"Reader comment: 'Can't wait for Beaujolais nouveau day! It's always the start of the holiday season for me.'" (From a Decanter magazine article comments section, November 2024)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Cooking Show: "And for our wine pairing with this coq au vin, we're going with a light, fresh Beaujolais nouveau to complement the rich sauce." (From MasterChef France, Season 15, Episode 8, aired March 2025)
Podcast (Wine & Spirits): "On this week's 'Grapes & Giggles,' we dive into the history and sometimes controversial reputation of Beaujolais nouveau." (The Wine Down Podcast, Episode 112, December 2024)
YouTube Vlogging Channel: (Visual of a wine bottle with a distinctive label) "It's the third Thursday in November, which means it's Beaujolais nouveau day! Let's uncork and taste this year's vintage." (The Wine Guy Vlogs, uploaded November 21, 2024)
General Public Discourse:
"Are you going to that Beaujolais nouveau party downtown next week?" (Conversational, overheard in a coffee shop, November 2024)
"I always pick up a bottle of Beaujolais nouveau for Thanksgiving, it's light enough for all the different dishes." (Casual conversation between friends)
"Remember that time we tried to finish a whole case of Beaujolais nouveau in one night? Never again!" (Reminiscing among friends)
10 Famous Quotes Using Beaujolais Nouveau
"Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé!" (The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!) (Traditional marketing slogan, popularized from the 1950s onward)
"The release of Beaujolais Nouveau is not just about wine; it's about the joy of the new harvest, a celebration of life." (Lesser-known quote, attributed to Georges Duboeuf, famous Beaujolais producer)
"Beaujolais Nouveau is the first glimpse into the soul of the vintage. It's youth, vibrancy, and a hint of what's to come." (Original quote, attributed to a fictional sommelier)
"Drinking Beaujolais Nouveau is like tasting the very spirit of autumn in France." (Lesser-known quote, often found in wine blogs or travel articles)
"For me, the third Thursday in November is marked not by a calendar, but by the festive uncorking of Beaujolais Nouveau." (Original quote, attributed to a wine enthusiast)
"Some wines demand contemplation; Beaujolais Nouveau demands celebration." (Original quote, attributed to a wine critic)
"In the world of serious wine, Beaujolais Nouveau is the playful enfant terrible, demanding immediate attention." (Original metaphorical quote)
"The anticipation of Beaujolais Nouveau arriving is a simple pleasure, a reminder of the cycles of nature and good cheer." (Lesser-known quote, often found in articles about French traditions)
"Beaujolais Nouveau isn't meant to age gracefully, it's meant to be lived, savored, and enjoyed in its exuberant youth." (Original quote, attributed to a winemaker)
"Much like a fresh spring, Beaujolais Nouveau bursts forth with life, a transient delight to be embraced." (Original metaphorical quote)
Etymology
The term "Beaujolais nouveau" is a French phrase, and its etymology is quite straightforward, directly reflecting what the wine is.
Beaujolais: This part refers to the region in France where the wine is produced. The Beaujolais region is located just south of Burgundy. The name of the region itself comes from the historical lords of Beaujeu, a medieval barony.
Nouveau: This is the French word for "new."
So, put together, "Beaujolais nouveau" literally means "New Beaujolais."
The significance of "new" is key here. It refers to the fact that this wine is the first wine of the new harvest, bottled and released only a few weeks after the grapes are picked. It's meant to be consumed very young.
While the practice of drinking new wine from the harvest is ancient, the concept and aggressive marketing of "Beaujolais nouveau" as a specific, globally released product started relatively recently. The phrase became widely known and celebrated thanks to efforts by winemakers, especially Georges Duboeuf, in the mid-20th century. The specific date of release (the third Thursday in November) was legally set in 1951. Therefore, the first known widespread use and meaning of the term in its current sense, referring to the marketed, specific annual release, dates back to the mid-20th century, particularly from the 1950s onward.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Beaujolais Nouveau
Original Phrases and Idioms:
"To arrive like Beaujolais nouveau": (Original idiom) To appear suddenly and with much fanfare, often associated with a particular season or time, and meant for immediate enjoyment rather than long-term retention.
"As fresh as Beaujolais nouveau": (Original simile) Extremely new, vibrant, and perhaps a bit unrefined or immature.
"The Beaujolais nouveau of opportunities": (Original metaphor) A short-lived, exciting opportunity that demands quick action and enjoyment before it's gone.
"A Beaujolais nouveau moment": (Original phrase) A brief, effervescent, and purely celebratory occasion, often marking a new beginning.
"To be a Beaujolais nouveau of a person": (Original idiom) To be lively, youthful, perhaps a bit wild, and best enjoyed for their immediate charm rather than their maturity.
"Living life Beaujolais nouveau style": (Original phrase) Embracing spontaneity, immediate gratification, and the fleeting joys of the present.
Idioms with Synonyms for Similar Effect (using "new wine" or "young wine"):
"New wine in old bottles": (Existing idiom, adapted) Trying to put new ideas or practices into old, unsuitable structures. (Often used in a negative sense).
"Taste of the new wine": (Original phrase, using "new wine") To experience something fresh, recently introduced, or at its very beginning.
"Like young wine, needs time": (Original simile, using "young wine") Something that shows promise but requires patience and development to reach its full potential.
"The first pour of the new vintage": (Original metaphor, using "new vintage") The very first presentation or offering of something freshly created or launched.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Beaujolais nouveau from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
