beaujolais nouveau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Informal, Gourmet, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “beaujolais nouveau” mean?
A specific type of young, fresh red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France and released annually on the third Thursday of November.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific type of young, fresh red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France and released annually on the third Thursday of November.
A celebratory wine associated with an annual event; a cultural marker of seasonal change and harvest in French gastronomy, often connoting a light, fruity wine meant for immediate drinking.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or pronunciation. The phrase is used identically but may be more culturally familiar in the UK due to geographic proximity to France.
Connotations
Similar connotations of a light, slightly festive wine for early consumption. In the UK, it is strongly associated with specific promotional events in pubs and wine shops.
Frequency
Frequency is higher in the UK, especially in November/December, due to stronger import traditions and media coverage of the 'Beaujolais Nouveau Day'.
Grammar
How to Use “beaujolais nouveau” in a Sentence
The [release/arrival] of beaujolais nouveauTo drink/celebrate with beaujolais nouveauA bottle/glass of beaujolais nouveauVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “beaujolais nouveau” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The beaujolais nouveau phenomenon
- A beaujolais nouveau celebration
American English
- The beaujolais nouveau release
- A beaujolais nouveau tasting event
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in wine import/export, hospitality, and marketing industries, e.g., 'Our Q4 sales are boosted by the beaujolais nouveau launch.'
Academic
Appears in texts on oenology, gastronomy, or French culture, e.g., 'Beaujolais nouveau represents a unique marketing phenomenon in viticulture.'
Everyday
Used in social planning or casual dining contexts, e.g., 'Shall we try the new beaujolais nouveau this weekend?'
Technical
Used by sommeliers and wine critics, referencing carbonic maceration, Gamay grape, and specific tasting notes like 'banana' or 'bubblegum'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “beaujolais nouveau”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “beaujolais nouveau”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “beaujolais nouveau”
- Misspelling: 'beaujolais nuveau', 'beajolais nouveau'.
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'Beaujolais Nouveau' (only the region is capitalised).
- Treating it as a plural: e.g., 'beaujolais nouveaux' is incorrect; it is an uncountable compound noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is released for sale on the third Thursday of November each year and is best consumed within a few months of release.
It is not intended for ageing or considered a fine wine. Its appeal lies in its freshness, fruitiness, and the celebratory tradition surrounding its release.
It is made exclusively from the Gamay grape grown in the Beaujolais region.
No, it is not suitable for ageing. It is deliberately made to be drunk young, and its fruity character will fade quickly.
A specific type of young, fresh red wine produced in the Beaujolais region of France and released annually on the third Thursday of November.
Beaujolais nouveau is usually formal/informal, gourmet, culinary in register.
Beaujolais nouveau: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbəʊʒəleɪ ˈnuːvəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌboʊʒəˈleɪ nuːˈvoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The race to get the first beaujolais nouveau”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'beau' (handsome/beautiful), 'joie' (joy in French), 'nouveau' (new) = A beautiful new joy for November.
Conceptual Metaphor
SEASONALITY IS A RENEWABLE EVENT; YOUTH IS FRESHNESS; MARKETING IS A RACE.
Practice
Quiz
What does the 'nouveau' in 'beaujolais nouveau' specifically indicate?