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eleased on the third Thursday of November, France's beaujolais nouveau is the first wine of the season in the northern hemisphere. It's vinified quickly and gently, turning out a light-bodied, unserious, very fruity red wine from the gamay grape that's intended for drinking without navel contemplation.
Served at about 55 degrees, cooler than usual for a red wine, it goes well with Thanksgiving turkey. It goes even better with that day-after turkey sandwich. Puts you in the mood for holiday shopping.
Traditionally, the bistros of Paris used everything from motorcycles to dirigibles to be the first to bring up the new wine from the Beaujolais region of southeast France. These days the hype is worldwide. They sneak it in by ship a week early and magically produce it a minute after midnight as if it arrived by teleportation.
Blog | Wine Beneath the Palms No matter. It's still fun. And a pretty good wine.
TASTING NOTES
• 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, France: crisp, tart and very fruity; aromas and flavors of black cherries and spice; medium body; $10.
• 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau, France: darker, richer, fuller-bodied, with hearty black cherry and cinnamon flavors; creamy; $11.
LOCAL EVENTS
Au Pied du Cochon: Beaujolais nouveau and its entourage -- the Georges Duboeuf Peace, Love and Beaujolais Nouveau ``Love Bus,'' a procession of biker-chefs and winemaker Stephane Queralt -- are due to arrive at 5 p.m. Thursday at the French brasserie at 81 Washington Ave., Miami Beach.
During a happy hour that lasts until 9 p.m., there will be kitschy French accordion music and a food drive benefiting Feeding South Florida (formerly the Daily Bread Food Bank). Customers who bring a nonperishable food item to donate will receive samples of the wine. (Other Miami Beach collection sites, according the winemaker: Caf des Arts, 1360 Collins Ave.; Casanova Suites, 524 Ocean Dr.; Clarke's, 84 First. St.; details: www.duboeufnouveau.com.)
Au Pied du Cochon will continue the food drive through Wednesday along with a $55, three-course menu paired with 2009 George Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and an entree choice of roasted rack of lamb or seared salmon; 305-674-1844.
Pascal's on Ponce: The French restaurant at 2611 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, will offer a four-course Le Bouchon Lyonnaise menu, beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday featuring braised lamb ``Navarin'' primavera plus 2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau. Price is $60 including two glasses of wine; 305-444-2024.
Acqua: The restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, 1435 Brickell Ave., celebrates the wine's arrival with a three-course, $40 French bistro menu from Thursday through Wednesday that includes steak frites and a bottle of 2009 Bouchard Beaujolais Nouveau for each party of two while the supply lasts; 305-381-3190.
Petit Rouge: The restaurant at 12409 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami, is offering a three-course dinner including a glass of beaujolais nouveau for $35 Thursday through Saturday; 305-892-7676.
Alliance Francaise: The group celebrates from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday at its facility at 618 SW Eighth St., Miami, with beaujolais from Duboeuf, Momessin, Drouhin and Fessy for $3 a glass or $12 a bottle. Plates of cheese and charcuterie from Marky's are $10; 305-859-8760.
Party on: Other South Florida Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau arrival parties:
• All day Thursday: Vino de Santis, Coral Springs, 954-340-4533; Li-bation, Weston, 954-384-9463; Le Provencal, Coral Gables, 305-448-8984.
• Dinner Thursday: Sage Bistro, Hollywood, 954-391-9466; Smoke Café, Fort Lauderdale, 954-565-1942; Newport, Miami Beach, 305-949-1300; Sofitel Hotel, Miami, 305-264-4888; Sage, Fort Lauderdale, 954-565-2299; San Tropez, Fort Lauderdale, 954-761-2612; Café Nuvo, Miami Beach, 305-534-5822.
• Dinner Saturday: Georges, Coconut Grove, 305-444-7878.
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