Tasting the 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau Wines
Bourbon has September in America while beer has October in Germany. What about wine? We pop champagne for New Year’s, but otherwise the only major wine holiday is Beaujolais Nouveau Day.
Held every year on the third Thursday in November, this international celebration centers on tasting the new harvest from the French winemaking region, Beaujolais. North of Lyon, Beaujolais is known for its gamay varietal, thin skinned and low in tannins, and capable of being opened and enjoyed right away.
The roots of Beaujolais Nouveau Day trace back to the 19th century. But it was local wine legend Georges Duboeuf and his eponymous company that grew the holiday into a global event. Today, wine lovers worldwide await the latest harvest from Beaujolais each November.
Georges’ son Franck now carries on the family tradition. He was in New York City this week for the 2026 release, sampled by media at Benoit, a classic French bistro in Midtown, just off the Theater District.
The 2026 vintage faced challenges typical of our unfortunate modern climate. Good spring weather gave way to extreme summer heat, so hot that the grapes slowed in maturity. Compounding this issue were constant swings back and forth between sun and rain. Such inconsistent weather “makes planning difficult. Very stressful for the growers,” Franck said.
After those headwinds, the harvest was about half the size as usual. “It was a small harvest,” Franck said. “It was not an easy year in terms of process, but we’re happy with it in terms of the quality of the wine.”
The 2025 Beaujolais Nouveau most reminds Franck of the 2015 vintage. “Very Beaujolais style,” he said. “The main characteristic this year is that it’s well balanced. Silky tannins. No cooked fruit aromas. True Beaujolais.”
This was evident as we drank through this year’s lineup. Beginning with Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé 2025 (SRP: $17.99), made with gamay. Subtle-yet-defined fruit flavors on the nose gave way to a similar palate of fresh fruit, especially white peach. Light acidity and a citrus note provided the backbone for this extremely drinkable wine, perfect as a pairing for Thanksgiving food.
Also belonging on your Thanksgiving table, particularly at dessert, is the Orange Nouveau 2025 (SRP: 17.99). Georges Duboeuf alters this blend annually, using four to five grapes. This year’s composition includes a touch of muscat. Light orange and peach notes define the nose and palate, balanced with minor acidity. Easy drinking, and great alongside holiday pies, cakes and cookies.
Next we tasted Domaine les Chenevières Mâcon-Villages 2023 ($31.99). This 100% chardonnay featured white fruits and green apple, with a round palate that turned citrus in the finish. Pour this with your Thanksgiving turkey.
Finally we reached the reds. The lineup included Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 ($15.99), Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau 2025 ($17.99) and Château de Saint-Amour AOC Saint-Amour 2023 ($31.99).
The Beaujolais Nouveau began these three different gamay wines with fresh black cherries throughout the nose and palate. Fruity, subtle, round and easy drinking — entirely true to style. As expected, Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau displayed similar aromas and flavors — dark berries for days — just darker and silkier, and fuller in body.
The Saint-Amour continued this trend, even silkier and jammier than the others. Again, this showcased fresh cherries and dark berries, now above more-refined tannins to balance this richer wine.
Not too rich, though, that it might overpower a Thanksgiving spread of turkey and stuffing. Franck admitted during the tasting that he had never experienced a proper American Thanksgiving. This despite Beaujolais Nouveau being ideal for holiday fare.
Maybe next year I’ll invite Franck to stay in America for another week, so that he can attend my family’s Thanksgiving. He’ll just have to suffer through 10 hours of American football, with the constant ad breaks and starts and stops that do not disrupt the purer experience of European football. Perhaps Franck would not enjoy our herky-jerky TV spectacle. That’s fine. He will be present at my house regardless, as every year, in the form of the new Beaujolais Nouveau — subtle and easy drinking, light and fruity wines made for Thanksgiving and celebrations worldwide.
Kyle Swartz is editor of Beverage Dynamics. Reach him at kswartz@epgacceleration.com. Read his recent piece, The State of U.S. Whiskey at Kentucky Bourbon Fest 2025.
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