Every third Thursday in November, the vineyards in Beaujolais, France, release their harvest of Beaujolais Nouveau. The French celebrate and so do wine lovers all over the world.
You can credit Caesar’s army for planting Gamay grape vines – and Philippe the Bold for outlawing said vines from Burgundy. It all worked out in the end. Beaujolais produces about 13 million cases of the red wine annually, and much of the harvest is sold within a few weeks.
The fruity wine is popular in French cafes and its price (about $10) makes in popular in other countries as well.
In Denver, you can join other Francophiles and taste all types of Beaujolais wines, including the 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau, at the 2006 Beaujolais Wine and Food Festival, from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at 1770 Sherman Street Complex.
Tickets are $45 per person in advance (visit rmfacc.org) or $50 at the door. The celebration includes food from local restaurants, caterers and specialty shops; casino entertainment; a silent auction and raffle prizes.
For information, contact Virginie Ganivet, the executive director of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, Rocky Mountain Chapter, at 303-695-7818 or e-mail info@rmfacc.org
