This year’s vintage has been met with widespread acclaim as marketing ‘gimmick’ begins to shed its stereotypes
This year’s batch of Beaujolais Nouveau has been widely praised
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France welcomed the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau 2025 today (Thursday, November 20) with widespread acclaim, as producers, retailers, and drinkers praised the wine’s elegance and concentration, despite one of the smallest harvests in decades.
Wine importer Daniel Lambert, MD of Daniel Lambert Wines in Castelnau-le-Lez, Occitanie, said the vintage is scarce due to challenging growing conditions.
“The spring was mainly overcast and cold, which led to late flowering. This was followed by a very dry summer, so berries are small. While the overall volume is low, quality is high,” he explained.
Amber Gardner, writer for Decanter magazine and founder of wine tour company Buvette Tours, described the release as a joyous moment for the industry.
“I love Beaujolais Nouveau. I love the wine and all of the revelry that goes with it. It’s a great time for everyone in the industry to celebrate the hard work that got them through harvest,” she said.
Gardner added that modern Beaujolais Nouveau has shed its old fruit-flavour stereotypes, now offering “fragrant juiciness” reflected in the 2025 vintage.
Guillaume Respaut, owner of La Cave des Arceaux in Montpellier, noted that this year’s wines show “extra freshness” compared with 2024.
“We enjoy celebrating Le Beaujolais Nouveau Day because it’s always fun. I have confidence in the quality because I work with independent winemakers I’ve known for years,” he said.
Social media influencer Hannah Milnes (@the.British.bouchon) said the day continues to resonate with both locals and visitors.
“Some dismiss the wines as a marketing gimmick, but those I tasted were fresh, perfumed with red and blue fruits and a touch of vanilla. The quality has improved as winemakers have better access to knowledge and technology,” she explained, adding that she bought a bottle to share with her French class.
High demand despite low yield
Producers echoed these sentiments.
At ‘Maison des Beaujolais’, in Belleville‑en‑Beaujolais, winemaker Guillaume Mithieux told Lyon Capitale that the region now focuses on crafting quality wine first, not just Nouveau, and that the traditional banana and strawberry candy notes are “virtually gone.”
The 2025 vintage is being described as fresh, gourmand, and dominated by red-fruit aromas with silky tannins.
Retailers reported strong demand despite limited volumes. Lucie Vannier, wine manager at Système U, called the release “an essential annual celebration people look forward to.”
Wine bars in Lyon and Villefranche-sur-Saône highlighted the wine’s “surprisingly refined” character with a lightly acidic, refreshing finish.
Although quantities are low due to poor yields, the launch shows that the annual ritual remains a key event in France.
Social media was flooded with photos of midnight tastings and release-day celebrations, with one Lyonnais drinker commenting: “If this is where Nouveau is heading, I’ll open a bottle every November!”
With more winemakers adopting organic practices and careful vinification, many see 2025 as evidence that Beaujolais Nouveau is moving beyond its cliché status and earning renewed respect in its home region.
Dining and Cooking