The Nouveaus are coming! The Nouveaus are coming! That’s right, just in time for the American Thanksgiving the Beaujolais (and other) Nouveaus hit the shelves … it’s the bell-weather for the coming harvested grapes and wines in France (and other places). These wines are picked, fermented, filtered, fined and packed off around the world with little to no manipulation – let alone any oak treatment (there just isn’t any time for that). “They” say they drink best from now through to Christmas, but I’d say a year is about the outside if you want those fresh fruity flavours – afterall, they have nothing to hold them up, so they’ll fall flat quickly. Right now they’re ripe and ready to go. This year, of the crop of 6 that I tasted (4 French, 2 Italian), 3 caught my fancy, 1 is borderline (more for price than taste) and the others can stay on the shelf no matter what the price … let’s take a taste of the Good, and stay away from the Bad and Ugly.
Once Upon a Time in France …
George Duboeuf Gamay Nouveau 2007 ($8.95 - #891846) … Gamay is the grape of Beaujolais, so this one’s telling it like it is. Nothing pretentious here, it’s all sweet fruit and candy on both the nose and palate. Cherries, cotton candy and red licorice greet the nose, while a touch of spice grazes the palate along with sweet-fruited strawberries and a titch of black licorice.
For only a Dollar More …
Seemed only fitting to use some Leone movie titles in my review because one the “nouveaus” on my list comes from Italy. Novio Vino Novello 2007 ($9.95 - #669275) made from Teroldego and Lagrein grapes, is a more sophisticated nouveau that remains a little rough around the edges – in a rustic sort of way. Black cherry and spice on the nose that follows right through on the palate. This might be the choice for those who find nouveaus too candied and fruity.
A Fist Full of Syrah …
At $9.95 this might be the best “nouveau” and it has nothing to do with Beaujolais or Gamay. Jeanjean Syrah Primeur 2007 (#899948) has the most inviting nose of the lot …a tad spicy with cinnamon candy aromas that change into sweet red fruit with further whiffs; and with that you’ll want to dive right into the glass and taste those cherries and candied red fruit all with a sprinkling of pepper. Light and easy – everything nouveau should be.
Duck, You Sucker (aka – A Fist Full of Dynamite) …
How one is expected to pay $15.95 for a nouveau I’m not sure, Nouveau should be a cheap and cheerful bargain, a guilty pleasure for some, and all for under $10. I enjoyed sipping on the George Duboeuf’s Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau (#932780) but the price is not what I’d be willing to pay. Sweet cherry, strawberries and one of those fruit gums or chews that are all the rage, fill the nasal passages. It’s a little more bold and flavourful in the mouth than say the Gamay Nouveau with it’s black cherry dominated taste, but again look at the price of the three above – there’s gotta be something up there, and under $10 to catch your palate just as good, or better. As for me, I think the Syrah is the real winner of the lot.
Cheers, and to our American friends – Happy Gobble Gobble.
Once Upon a Time in France …
George Duboeuf Gamay Nouveau 2007 ($8.95 - #891846) … Gamay is the grape of Beaujolais, so this one’s telling it like it is. Nothing pretentious here, it’s all sweet fruit and candy on both the nose and palate. Cherries, cotton candy and red licorice greet the nose, while a touch of spice grazes the palate along with sweet-fruited strawberries and a titch of black licorice.
For only a Dollar More …
Seemed only fitting to use some Leone movie titles in my review because one the “nouveaus” on my list comes from Italy. Novio Vino Novello 2007 ($9.95 - #669275) made from Teroldego and Lagrein grapes, is a more sophisticated nouveau that remains a little rough around the edges – in a rustic sort of way. Black cherry and spice on the nose that follows right through on the palate. This might be the choice for those who find nouveaus too candied and fruity.
A Fist Full of Syrah …
At $9.95 this might be the best “nouveau” and it has nothing to do with Beaujolais or Gamay. Jeanjean Syrah Primeur 2007 (#899948) has the most inviting nose of the lot …a tad spicy with cinnamon candy aromas that change into sweet red fruit with further whiffs; and with that you’ll want to dive right into the glass and taste those cherries and candied red fruit all with a sprinkling of pepper. Light and easy – everything nouveau should be.
Duck, You Sucker (aka – A Fist Full of Dynamite) …
How one is expected to pay $15.95 for a nouveau I’m not sure, Nouveau should be a cheap and cheerful bargain, a guilty pleasure for some, and all for under $10. I enjoyed sipping on the George Duboeuf’s Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau (#932780) but the price is not what I’d be willing to pay. Sweet cherry, strawberries and one of those fruit gums or chews that are all the rage, fill the nasal passages. It’s a little more bold and flavourful in the mouth than say the Gamay Nouveau with it’s black cherry dominated taste, but again look at the price of the three above – there’s gotta be something up there, and under $10 to catch your palate just as good, or better. As for me, I think the Syrah is the real winner of the lot.
Cheers, and to our American friends – Happy Gobble Gobble.
1 comment:
I love your blog. Thanks for all the work!
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