12. Beaujolais Nouveau
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Beaujolais Vineyards (photo by Karaian on Flickr)
The third Thursday in November is almost upon us. On that date, the Beaujolais Nouveau will arrive – in Lyon, Paris, London, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Sidney….. (Will it reach as far as Johannesburg?)
Do you get into the spirit of the day? Enjoy the party and the fun of getting your first taste of the vintage? Or are you down on Beaujolais Nouveau as one more product of HYPE on a global scale? Do you see the light and simple wine as having destroyed what was once a unique and special appellation in France?
Whatever your views, in this podcast I’ll try to give you some perspective on and insight into the wine of the Fall season. You’ll learn where Beaujolais is located, what’s special about the land and where the best wines are made.
Would you like learn what they do to make a red wine with good color but without much tannin? I’ll explain the carbonic maceration. And what is it that makes wine enthusiasts shake their heads when they think about Beaujolais and Beaujolais Nouveau? I’ll try to explain chaptalization – the method of adding sugar to raise alcohol. (Wait?? They add sugar to wine? Indeed, they do… But keep it quiet!)
Download the transcript: Beaujolais Nouveau Transcript
Pre and Post Listening Questions: Beaujolais Nouveau Questions
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:02 — 17.2MB)
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