The Beaujolais region of France is home to the Gamay grape, and is renowned for several wines produced from this hand-harvested fruit. One of the most well known is the vin de primeur Beaujolais Nouveau, fermented by carbonic maceration and bottled just six to eight weeks after harvest (as opposed to the months or years some wines are given).

Each season’s Beaujolais Nouveau are kept off shelves around the world until a coordinated release on the third Thursday of November. That means when you pop open your first bottle or take your first sip of this fruity, bright, nearly tannin-less vino, folks from France to New York to San Francisco are doing the same.

Where can you get your Beaujolais on? Check out several events held around Denver where you can celebrate the release. Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! Or, in localspeak, it’s Beaujolais Nouveau time, baby.

15th Annual Beaujolais and Beyond Festival
5:30–930 PM, Thursday, November 21; $60 or $80 at the door
McNichols Civic Center Building (144 West Colfax; at the corner of Bannock)
This fundraiser for the Rocky Mountain French-American Chamber of Commerce gathers more than 600 business leaders and wine-lovers to eat and drink the results of a chef challenge. More than 20 area culinary pros will create French-inspired dishes to pair with this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau, and there will be an additional 40 varieties of vino, as well as live entertainment, to round out the fun (tickets here).

Beaujolais Nouveau Menu
Thursday, November 21
Le Central (112 E. 8th Ave.)
Stop in for dinner and enjoy a special three course, $27 French tasting menu of dishes made with Beaujolais. Pair it with a variety of Beaujolais Nouveau by the glass or bottle. Also ask about flights. 

Beaujolais Nouveau Special
Thursday–Saturday, November 21-24
La Merise (2700 E. 3rd Ave.)
Stop in to the restaurant in the Cherry Creek North Shopping Center to grab a bite and try this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau for $5 per glass, or $20 per bottle.

4th Annual Beaujolais Nouveau Night
7:30–10:30 PM, Friday, November 22; $50
West Washington Park
Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, live music, dancing and new things to check out at at Historic Grant Avenue along with this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Tickets are available online here, or at La Belle Rosette or Wash Perk.

Top photo via Flickr user Sergey Melkonov; bottom photo via Flickr user jetalone