What is Beaujolais Nouveau?

The third Thursday of November, which lands on November 20 this year, is Beaujolais Nouveau Day! Are you wondering what Beaujolais Nouveau is, or why it deserves the recognition of its own holiday? Read on to learn more about the significance of this traditionally fruity wine!

The first thing you should know is that Beaujolais Nouveau wine comes from a province of France called Beaujolais. The drink was invented as a cheap drink made by locals to celebrate the end of harvest season. To this day, the wine has maintained a sort of low-brow appreciation. The fruity wine is made by a quick fermentation process, which wouldn't impress most wine snobs. Even though the fermentation process is brief, the making of Beaujolais isn't easy.

Fabien Chasselay, a vinologist, spoke with Business Insider about the making of the wine. "It's the most difficult, but it's so much fun to do," he said. "If you finish the process too soon or too late, there is no maturity to fall back on. That's why so much ends up in the trash."

According to Business Insider, there are 2,000 producers of Beaujolais and all of the producers seem to make their wine differently. The reason Beaujolais Nouveau Day even exists is because French law prohibits the sale of the wine before the third Thursday of November, even though it's generally accepted that Beaujolais Nouveau isn't a great wine. In fact, Beaujolais Nouveau is considered pretty acidic in flavor.

Still, on the third Thursday of November, The French will celebrate the return of Beaujolais Nouveau with parties and even free wine tastings.

Image Credit: Kenzo Tribouillard, AFP via Getty Images