Last updated on October 26th, 2026 at 04:28 pm
Every year in November, café windows across France display the same sign: « Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé ! » (The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived!). For one evening, bars and restaurants celebrate the first wine of the year, often with a plate of charcuterie and plenty of conversation.
Here is what Beaujolais Nouveau is, how the French celebrate it, and the vocabulary you need to take part.
Key takeaways
- Beaujolais Nouveau is a young red wine from the Beaujolais region, just north of Lyon.
- It goes on sale on the third Thursday of November: 19 November in 2026.
- It is made from the Gamay grape and meant to be drunk within a few months.
- The release is a social event, and a good chance to practise your French.
What is Beaujolais Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau is a red wine (un vin primeur) made from Gamay grapes harvested in late summer. Instead of ageing for months or years, it is ready only a few weeks after the harvest, thanks to a fast fermentation method called carbonic maceration (la macération carbonique). The result is a light, fruity wine, often described as tasting of banana, strawberry or raspberry, which is usually served slightly chilled.
Why the third Thursday of November?
Winemakers have long sold their first wine of the season early. After the Second World War, French rules set an official release date for these early wines, and in 1985 it was fixed on the third Thursday of November. Over the following decades, Beaujolais Nouveau became a worldwide event, with bottles shipped overnight to be opened in Paris, Tokyo or New York on the same day.
| Year | Release date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 19 November |
| 2027 | Thursday 18 November |
| 2028 | Thursday 16 November |
How France celebrates
- In the Beaujolais region, villages hold festivals on the eve of the release, with music, torch-lit processions and the first glasses served at midnight.
- In Lyon, the traditional restaurants called bouchons serve it with local dishes such as saucisson, rillettes and cheese.
- In Paris and other cities, bars put up the famous sign and organise tastings, often after work with colleagues.
- At home, it is an easy excuse to invite friends for an apéritif.
Good to know: in France, Beaujolais Nouveau divides opinion. Some see it as a fun, friendly tradition, others as a simple marketing event. Asking « Vous aimez le Beaujolais nouveau ? » is a safe way to start a lively conversation.
French vocabulary for the occasion
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un vin primeur | a young wine, sold right after the harvest |
| les vendanges | the grape harvest |
| un cépage | a grape variety |
| fruité, léger, gouleyant | fruity, light, easy to drink |
| déguster | to taste (with attention) |
| trinquer / « Santé ! » | to clink glasses / “Cheers!” |
| un apéro | pre-dinner drinks and snacks |
| avec modération | in moderation |
Going further
French festivals are a great way into the language and the culture. Discover the other key dates of the year in our guide to public holidays in France, or read why our students learn French. To practise talking about food, wine and traditions with a native teacher, try our French conversation course or the Live French Club.
Frequently asked questions
When is Beaujolais Nouveau released?
On the third Thursday of November every year. In 2026, that is Thursday 19 November.
What does Beaujolais Nouveau taste like?
It is a light, fruity red wine, often described as tasting of red berries and banana. It is usually served slightly chilled and is meant to be drunk within a few months.
Why is Beaujolais Nouveau so famous?
Its release on a fixed date became a festive tradition in France and then around the world, with bars and restaurants celebrating the first wine of the year on the same evening.
What does « Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé » mean?
It means “The Beaujolais Nouveau has arrived”. It is the slogan that appears on café and wine shop windows across France on release day.
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