courtesy Alliance Française of Portland

Well BFD. You know I’m no wine snob. Not even close. In fact, I’m entirely willing to admit I don’t know enough or have an adequately sophisticated palate to get uppity about my wine preferences. In truth, there’s very little I won’t drink, but in recent years I have drawn a line in the sand when it comes to Beaujolais Nouveau, that’s right a line in the sand, my friends. I’m like the Colonel Qaddafi of immature wine. Why, you ask. Why? The labels are so festive and there’s a big PR push every November. Well, I’ll tell you.

For me, Beaujolais Nouveau is the wine equivalent of Coors Light. I mean really, why would you want Coors to be any lighter than it already is? That’s like saying you want light water. In my opinion, the new Beaujolais tastes like a dumbed-down merlot – and what’s the appeal of that? You could just throw some vodka into a glass of Welch’s grape juice for the same effect.

Note the new screw top!

So what’s all the ruckus about every year? No idea. I suppose it might be that it’s an easy way for a bunch of French wine makers to squeeze $10-$12 bucks a bottle out of you on a quick turnaround. I do know the new Beau doesn’t taste like much, and I can think of plenty of wines at that price that don’t make me feel like sucking my thumb when I drink them.

Still interested? Well it’s your liver not mine – mine’s already quite limber. If you want to know more, here’s a good primer on all the wines from Beaujolais.

Go ahead and drink up, pilgrim. But if it’s new, do give it a little chill before you pour it.