Festivities in France
In the Beaujolais region, the release of Beaujolais Nouveau is celebrated with gusto. Towns and villages host festivals, parades, and tastings, often accompanied by live music, dancing, and hearty regional cuisine. The village of Beaujeu, the historical capital of Beaujolais, holds a particularly famous celebration called the Sarmentelles, which includes a torchlit procession and the ceremonial tapping of barrels at midnight.
Lyon, the nearest major city, joins the festivities with wine-tasting events and special menus in its bouchons (traditional Lyonnais restaurants). Here, Beaujolais Nouveau is often paired with charcuterie, cheeses, and other local specialties.
Across France, bars, restaurants, and wine shops eagerly await the midnight hour when the wine can legally be uncorked. Crowds gather to sip the first glasses of the season, toasting the new vintage with laughter and camaraderie.