Open the new vintage
Ask your local wine merchant for Beaujolais Nouveau or Beaujolais-Villages Nouveau from the current harvest. Availability varies, so check with the shop before planning your tasting.
France’s first taste of the harvestBeaujolais
Beaujolais
Nouveau Day.
Thursday, November 19, 2026
A new vintage. An old tradition. Every third Thursday in November, the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau brings people together for fresh wine, good food, and a little celebration.
Find your way to celebrate ↗Discover the tradition
Beaujolais · France
Save the dateNovember 19, 2026
The traditionThird Thursday in November
In your glassFresh, fruity Gamay
01 / The traditionWhen is Beaujolais
When is Beaujolais
Nouveau Day?
Beaujolais Nouveau Day is Thursday, November 19, 2026. The wine is released each year on the third Thursday in November, only weeks after the grapes have been harvested.
In France’s Beaujolais region, the occasion celebrates the new vintage and the people who make it. Tastings, shared meals, music, and village festivities welcome the first wine of the season. Wine shops, restaurants, and enthusiasts around the world join in, too.
The familiar phrase “Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!” means “The new Beaujolais has arrived!” It captures the spirit of the day: an invitation to open something fresh and enjoy it together.
02 / Make an occasion of itHow to celebrate
How to celebrate
Beaujolais Nouveau Day.
You don’t need to travel to France to take part. Keep it simple and let the gathering be the occasion.
Set a generous table
Try a board of charcuterie and cheese, roast chicken, or a simple pizza. This fresh, approachable wine suits relaxed meals and the food you already love to share.
Find a local celebration
Look for tastings at independent wine shops and restaurants, or host a small gathering at home. In the Beaujolais region, village events bring the harvest celebration to life.
Beaujeu, France · November 18–22, 2026
Les Sarmentelles: at the heart of the celebration
One of the best-known Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations takes place in Beaujeu. The 2026 Sarmentelles runs from November 18 to 22, bringing together wine, food, music, and local traditions. Check the organiser’s programme for the latest times, reservations, and ticket information.
Explore the official Sarmentelles programme ↗“Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé!”
The new Beaujolais has arrived03 / Get to know the wineWhat is Beaujolais
What is Beaujolais
Nouveau?
Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be enjoyed young.
Made from Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France, this youthful wine is bottled soon after harvest. Its appeal lies in its lively fruit and easygoing style, rather than long ageing.
Whole-bunch fermentation techniques, including carbonic and semi-carbonic maceration, help create its distinctive fresh character. Flavours vary by grower and vintage, with red-fruit notes and soft tannins common to the style.
How to serve Beaujolais Nouveau
A serving temperature around 12–14°C (54–57°F) is a useful starting point. Enjoy the wine while it is fresh, and follow the producer’s advice for the particular bottle.
A region beyond Nouveau. Beaujolais also produces wines for longer enjoyment. Its 12 appellations include Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages, and ten crus, including Fleurie, Morgon, and Côte de Brouilly. Nouveau is a young-wine style produced under Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages, rather than a separate cru.
04 / From vineyard to the worldThe history of
The history of
Beaujolais Nouveau.
The custom grew from drinking the new season’s wine after the harvest. Over time, this local occasion developed into an international celebration of Beaujolais and its growers.
The third-Thursday release date was established in 1985. Producers and merchants, including Georges Duboeuf, helped bring Beaujolais Nouveau to a wider audience, and the arrival of the new vintage became a much-anticipated moment beyond France.
Today, the pleasure is still straightforward: discovering the latest harvest, enjoying the region’s food traditions, and gathering around a shared table.
A few useful answersBefore you
Before you
raise a glass.
What is the Beaujolais Nouveau release date?
The Beaujolais Nouveau release date in 2026 is Thursday, November 19. The wine arrives on the third Thursday in November each year.
Is Beaujolais Nouveau always red?
Red Gamay is the best-known style, but rosé Beaujolais Nouveau is also produced. Look at the label to see which style you are buying.
What food goes with Beaujolais Nouveau?
Charcuterie, mild cheeses, roast poultry, and pizza are easy starting points. Choose dishes you enjoy and keep the occasion relaxed.
Should I save a bottle for several years?
Nouveau is made for early drinking. For a bottle you plan to cellar, ask a wine merchant about other Beaujolais styles and the producer’s ageing recommendations.
Updated November 4, 2026. References: Inter Beaujolais, the Beaujolais wine guide, and the City of Lyon’s Sarmentelles listing. Event programmes can change.