HARVEST CELEBRATIONS

As long as people have grown and harvested food, they have

observed festivals of thanksgiving.

HARVEST FESTIVALSDuring these harvest festivals, people would make music and play sports and games. They would also hold a harvest parade.

HOW DO WE CELEBRATE THE HARVEST IN THE UNITED STATES?We observe Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of each November.

HOW DO THEY CELEBRATE THE HARVEST IN FRANCE?They have festivals celebrating the release of the new wine harvest on the 3rd Thursday of each November.

BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAUThis grape harvest celebration is called Beaujolais Nouveau. And unlike Thanksgiving, which is only celebrated here in the USA, Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated all over France and in many wine-loving countries around the world.

BEAUJOLAIS IS A REGION IN FRANCE

THE BEAUJOLAIS REGION IS IN SOUTHEASTERN FRANCE

THE TYPE OF GRAPE GROWN IN THE BEAUJOLAIS REGION IS GAMAY

THE HISTORY OF BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU The Beaujolais

region had always made a vin de l’année to celebrate the end of the harvest, but until WWII is was only for local consumption.

BEAUJOLAIS IS A NEW WINE This means it

does not have to ferment as long as typical wines so it is available for consumption much sooner than other wines.

BY LAW, THE GRAPES ARE HARVESTED BY HAND…Then fermented into wine that is ready to drink within just 6-8 weeks after the harvest.

THE POPULARITY OF BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU IS A RESULT OF A VERY SUCCESSFUL MARKETING CAMPAIGN…Georges Deboeuf saw the potential to make a lot of money by selling the Beaujolais wine within weeks of the grape harvest.

IT ALL STARTS AT THE STRIKE OF MIDNIGHT ON THE 3RD THURSDAY OF EVERY NOVEMBER…with a race to Paris carrying the first bottles of the new wine.

SIGNS ADVERTISING THE NEW WINE CAN BE FOUND EVERYWHERE!

FRANCE ERUPTS IN MASSIVE CELEBRATION OF THE NEW WINE

In Lyon, France they host the Beaujolympiades and roll the barrels of wine through town

in a parade of music and fireworks.

In Beaujeu, France (the capital of the Beaujolais region) the city hosts a

massive party and parade called Sarmentelles.

WORLDWIDE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU CELEBRATIONS

About half of the Beaujolais Nouveau is

exported to other countries. Japan holds a

celebration where people actually swim in the wine!

Behind Japan, Germany is one of the biggest

markets to celebrate the Beaujolais Nouveau wine.

EVEN THE UNITED STATES CELEBRATES BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU!

At the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada actors dress up and act out the “I love

Lucy” grape squashing scene in honor of Beaujolais

Nouveau

It is also highly promoted in the United States as a drink for Thanksgiving, boasting

that it tastes great with turkey. Since Thanksgiving is

exactly one week after the Beaujolais wine is released, it fits with the marketing plan

quite well.

MADAME BERGSTROM’S CLASSES CELEBRATE BEAUJOLAIS NOUVEAU

NOW LET’S HAVE A BEAUJOLAIS CELEBRATION OF OUR OWN!!