Beaujolais Nouveau Night

Thursday 15 November 2007
£35.00 each for 3 courses, one 50cl bottle (or equivalent) of Beaujolais Nouveau & coffee

History
At one minute past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, from little villages and towns like Romanece-Thorins, over 70 million bottles of Beaujolais Noveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world.  Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrive.  One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun. Beaujolais Nouveau is produced within months of the harvest and by French law can’t be sold until the 3rd Thursday in November.  Therefore, it is likely to be the youngest wine you’re ever likely to drink!

The 2006 Vintage
For as long as we’ve been running these events, we have always sourced our wine from undoubtedly the best negoçiant in Beaujolais, Georges Dubœuf. Of last year’s vintage, he says ‘We have already had the opportunity of tasting a few pressings. Although it can be very difficult to make a judgment based on tasting about 50 samples, the wines are very good indeed. The colour is deep red with purple-blue reflections. The nose is fruity and elegant, meaty with hints of strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry. It is a beautiful palate of flavors. In the mouth, the first vats tasted are excellent with the great flavor of fresh grapes, bursting with red fruits. In analytical terms we are very close to the best vintages of the last century!’ Let’s hope that this year’s vintage is even better!

Sample Menu
After the tasting, you will be treated to a simple convivial (a few large tables) Northumbrian meal:

• Seasonal wild mushrooms in a porcini broth with kale
• Red wine braised duck confit, French beans and a wild garlic jus
• Pear tart tatin with caramel sauce and pistachio ice cream
  (A vegetarian option will be available – please ask the staff for details)

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