Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2024: Where To Celebrate In London

At midnight on 21 November 2024, glasses all over the world will be raised to mark the release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a light and fruity French red wine. Bars and restaurants in Burgundy and beyond celebrate with parties, fireworks and music – so why is the release of this vino so significant? And where can us Londoners get involved? Here’s everything you need to know about Beaujolais Nouveau Day. 

What Is Beaujolais Nouveau Day?

Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine from Burgundy – known as the world’s fastest wine, as unlike most varieties, it should be drunk immediately after harvesting. Under French law, the wine is released at 12.01am on the third Thursday of November, and for years the moment has been marked with jubilant festivals and parties across France, particularly in the Beaujolais region.

The most famous event is held in the capital, Les Sarmentelles de Beaujeu: a five-day festival complete with tastings, food, music and fireworks. More recently, other parts of the world have started joining in with the fun too, including the UK, where the wine has garnered something of a cult following.

Getty Images

What’s The History Of Beaujolais Nouveau?

Beaujolais Nouveau is a simple, fruity wine which is best enjoyed young, made from Gamay grapes. The wine began its life during the 1800s as a quick-to-make wine mainly drunk by vineyard workers, however during the 1950s and 1960s, its popularity began to grow in Paris. Before long, it was being sold to other countries in Europe – with some British clubs sending drivers to France to bring back Beaujolais Nouveau as quickly as possible.

Wine merchant Georges Duboeuf saw an opportunity, spearheading a race to Paris with the year’s first bottles. Before long, the event had soared in popularity – and in the ‘70s, the French government decided to stamp its approval, decreeing that Beaujolais Nouveau couldn’t hit the shelves until 12.01 on the third Thursday of November. This only added to the fun, and began the tradition of Beaujolais Nouveau Day.

Where To Celebrate In London

© Philippa Langley

Sune

Broadway Market’s Sune, the neighbourhood restaurant helmed by Honey Spencer and her husband Charlie Sims, are hosting a special Beaujolais Nouveau party this November. Hugo Foizel and Angela Quiblier of Obora Wines will be joining the team from Chénas in France, bringing with them an entire barrel of Beaujolais, which guests can enjoy over lunch, dinner and into the evening, when a lively street party will take place. Head chef Michael Robins will also be introducing some special Lyonnaise dishes to the menu – a nod to the Beaujolais’ region’s close proximity to Lyon. 

21 November 2024, from 12pm, sevenrooms.com

Henri

Jackson Boxer’s Parisian-inspired bistro Henri will be cracking open magnums of Christophe Pacalet 2024 Beaujolais from 5pm. Glasses will be on offer for £11, alongside special plates such as black truffle and Saint Nectaire croques.

21 November 2024, from 5pm, henricoventgarden.com

Sesta

One of Hackney’s buzziest new restaurants, Sesta, will be serving Séléné 2024 Primeurfrom by biodynamic producer Sylvère Trichard, a family-run vineyard based near the Beaujolais commune of Blacé. This can be enjoyed alongside a special Boeuf Bourguignon cheeseburger, made with aged beef mince, smoked ox cheek and bacon bourguignon, slow cooked in Beaujolais Nouveau.

21 November 2024, sesta.co.uk

July

Fitzrovia’s Alsatian-inspired restaurant and wine bar July is also hosting a Beaujolais Nouveau soirée, complete with plenty of the fruity wine in question alongside an array of seasonal snacks, from homemade pork terrine to cheese platters.

25 November 2024 from 6.30 – 9pm, eventbrite.com

Marceline

Wood Wharf’s new brasserie Marceline is throwing a Bojo Novo Party in its stylish Salon Bar. Guests are invited to join from midday for a steak sandwich and a £10 glass of Beaujolais Nouveau – but be sure to get there early, as there’s a limited supply.

21 November 2024, drop in only, marceline.london