It just seems like yesterday that Niagara wineries were hauling in the 2012 grape harvest, so what is this now? The first wine of the vintage has arrived just in time to be released Thursday.
That’s correct. A 2012 Generation Seven Gamay Nouveau from the Chateau des Charmes family is getting in on the annual Beaujolais Nouveau release that begins in Ontario LCBO stores at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.
The LCBO is offering 10 nouveau wines for sale, including two from Ontario, at more than 400 stores across the province.
The annual release of Beaujolais Nouveau and other nouveau wines on the third Thursday of November is celebrated around the world at restaurants and “nouveau” parties, and heralds the first wines of the year’s harvest. Nouveau wines are traditionally one of the LCBO’s fastest-selling products with most of the stock sold out in three to four weeks.
“The nouveau release each November is met with more anticipation every year,” said Greg Dunlop, LCBO Category Manager for European Wines.
In addition to the two Ontario nouveau wines, six French and two Italian nouveau-style wines will be released. While some 12,000 cases will be distributed across Ontario, each LCBO store receives a limited quantity so customers are advised to shop early for the best selection.
The nouveau wines being offered this year are (I have only tasted and reviewed the Chateau des Charmes nouveau):
Ontario
Chateau des Charmes Generation Seven Nouveau 2012 ($12, 87 points) — Everything you want in a fresh and fruity red wine. It’s packed with bright raspberry-cherry fruits, a touch of red plums and a subtle savoury note. Great quaffer to have around for the holidays. Serve slightly chilled.
The Fool Reif Estate Gamay Nouveau VQA, 750 mL, $9.95
France
Mommessin Beaujolais Nouveau, 750 mL, $13.95
Catalans Primeur Syrah Merlot, 750 mL, $9.95
Jeanjean Syrah Primeur, 750 mL, $9.95
Duboeuf Gamay Nouveau, 750 mL, $8.95
Italy
Negrar Novello Del Veneto, 750 mL, $9.95
Tollo Novello Rosso Terre di Chieti, 750 mL, $8.95
Terre di Chieti, 750 mL, $8.95
Vintages:
France
Beaujolais Villages Nouveau (Joseph Drouhin), 750 mL, $14.95
Beaujolais Villages Nouveau (G. Duboeuf), 750 mL, $14.95
The nouveau wine tradition started in the vineyards of France’s Beaujolais region more than 100 years ago when local winemakers developed a quick maturing wine to celebrate the completion of the harvest with their workers. The result was a fresh, fruity wine that they called Beaujolais Nouveau or Beaujolais Primeur. News of this tradition spread and the annual release of nouveau wines eventually became an international celebration.
In the 1980s, Italy also began exporting nouveau-style wines, called vino novello, and Ontario has produced gamay nouveau wines in some years.
Nouveau wines are best served slightly chilled and matched with lighter foods such as appetizers. To enjoy their fresh, fruity character at its best, the wines should be consumed young, although they will hold their flavor and freshness for holiday celebrations and match well with turkey.
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