While some oenophiles turn up their noses at Beaujolais Nouveau Day — a sozzled saturnalia in which folks enjoy the first wine made from gamay grapes harvested that year in France — it can be a lot of fun. This year's Beaujolais Nouveau Day falls on Thursday 21 November and as ever, London is lapping it up. Here's where to get your glug on. All events are on 21 November, unless otherwise stated.
Beaujolais nouveau breakfast at Gordon's, Charing Cross
A full English breakfast, coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice... now what are we forgetting?... oh yeah, lashings of fruity red wine are served from 8am-11am at the legendary Gordon's Wine Bar. Though the bar doesn't usually take bookings, they're making an exception in this case. If you value your job too much, Gordon's will continue to serve beaujo for the rest of the month at a more orthodox hour of the day.
Beaujolais nouveau at Beaujolais wine bar, Charing Cross
Why is it that London's two best old skool wine bars are both in Charing Cross? Anyway, it'd be a crime if a place called Le Beaujolais wasn't marking Beaujolais Nouveau Day, and sure enough, it is. There's not much info at time of writing, but it doesn't look like they're making breakfast, so you'll have to make do visiting between 12pm and 11pm. The bar gets sweatily rammed at the best of times, so gird your loins for one of the biggest days on the vino calendar...
Davy's Beaujolais Nouveau Part-Yay, Greenwich
Naturally, you can get your chops around beaujolais nouveau at the Greenwich branch of Davy's. But their Beaujolais Nouveau Part-Yay is also pouring Fleurie, Julienas "Les Mouilles", Moulin-à-Vent and Côte de Brouilly (hopefully these names mean something to someone) — and did we mention there's mulled beaujolais too? The heated courtyard setting of Vintners Yard also plays host to live jazz, French nibbles and a game of 'guess the beaujolais'. Sounds tres amusant.
Rotters' Fête du Beaujolais, Noble Rot Lamb's Conduit Street
One of the city's most beloved contemporary wine bars, Noble Rot (in this case, the one at Lamb's Conduit Street), brings back its Rotters' Fête du Beaujolais on 21 November — featuring free tastings of wine from 4pm-7pm (no booking required). As for those with deep pockets: they can get stuck into a four-course, £125-pp Fête du Beaujolais menu prepared by Guest Chef Nick Curtola, who's over from restaurant/wine bar The Four Horsemen in Brooklyn. You'll definitely need to book for that.
Beaujolais nouveau all-day happy hour at Top Cuvee, Highbury and Bethnal Green
Purveyors of 'wine for everyone' Top Cuvée do indeed seem determined to get all and sundry in the mood for Beaujolais Nouveau Day. All three of their venues (two in Highbury, one in Bethnal Green) are doing happy hour all day and night, with special prices on beaujolais nouveau (and for when you're sick of that, cocktails). As a bonus, Cave Cuvée in Bethnal Green is slinging hotdogs to soak up all that red, red wine.
Beaujolais nouveau Soiree at D Vine, Clapham
A flight of funky fresh French red is promised at boutique wine bar and shop, D Vine. The £30 ticket nabs you a tasting flight of four different beaujolais nouveaus, plus a bottle to take home. A beaujolais-inspired food menu can be enjoyed at extra cost.
Beaujolais nouveau celebration at July, Fitzrovia
Fitzrovia's Alsatian-inspired restaurant and wine bar, July starts the party late, on Monday 25 November, with an evening of beaujolais nouveau appreciation, featuring free-flowing wine paired with delicious snacks like home made pork terrine, cheese platters, and premium tinned fish.
