Explore the world of wines with Sun Singer

Le Nouveau est arrive!   

Thursday, November 17  12midnight

Once a year, the third Thursday in November, wine amateurs throughout the world lift their glasses to that young, fresh, fruity wine of the Beaujolais Nouveau. Come raise a glass and be a part of the excitement

at Sun Singer as we uncork the highly anticipated Beaujolais Nouveau. 

We will be featuring all Nouveaus by the glass at the wine bar.

We hope to receive shipment of all wines wines ordered:

Bouchard Aine, Georges Duboeuf, Laboure-Roi and Joseph Drouhin. 

Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in the local bars, cafes, and bistros of Beaujolais and Lyons. Each fall the new Beaujolais would arrive with much fanfare. In pitchers filled from the growers barrels, wine was drunk by an eager population. It was wine made fast to drink while the better Beaujolais was taking a more leisurely course. Eventually, the government stepped into regulate the sale of all this quickly transported, free-flowing wine. 

In 1938 regulations and restrictions were put in place to restrict the where, when, and how of all this carrying on. After the war years, in 1951, these regulations were revoked by the region's governing body, the Union Interprofessional des Vins de Beaujolais (UIVB), and the Beaujolais Nouveau was officially recognized. The official release date was set for November 15th. Beaujolais Nouveau was officially born. By this time, what was just a local tradition had gained so much popularity that the news of it reached Paris. The race was born. It wasn't long thereafter that the word spilled out of France and around the world. In 1985, the date was again changed, this time to the third Thursday of November tying it to a weekend and making the celebration complete. But wherever the new Beaujolais went, importers had to agree not to sell it before midnight on the third Thursday of November.

Be part of the celebration.  Sun Singer will feature all of our Beaujolais Nouveau by the glass.  This is a great time to sample the new vintage and set aside your supplies for the holidays.  Remember these wines are known to disappear quickly. We advise you make your selections promptly.

2. The region of Beaujolais is 34 miles long from north to south and 7 to 9 miles wide. There are nearly 4,000 grape growers who make their living in this picturesque region just north of France's third largest city, Lyon.

3. All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

4. Gamay (Gamay noir Jus Blanc) is the only grape permitted for Beaujolais. While certain California wineries may label their wine "Gamay Beaujolais" this is not the same grape variety as what is grown in France, and is quite different in taste and growing habits.

5. Beaujolais Nouveau cannot be made from grapes grown in the 10 crus (great growths) of Beaujolais-only from grapes coming from the appellations of Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages.

6. Beaujolais Nouveau owes its easy drinkability to a winemaking process called carbonic maceration, also called whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins.

7. Beaujolais Nouveau is meant to be drunk young-in average vintages it should be consumed by the following May after its release. However, in excellent vintages (such as 2000) the wine can live much longer and can be enjoyed until the next harvest rolls around.

8. Serve Beaujolais Nouveau slightly cool, at about 55 degrees Fahrenheit-the wine is more refreshing and its forward fruit more apparent than if you serve it at room temperature.

9. Approximately 1/3 of the entire crop of the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau.

and benefit the Champaign Humane Society

Now's the time to open a wine that gives the world more than just a little pleasure. This November, Sun Singer is proud to partner with the local non-profit Champaign County Humane Society to provide a tasty and enjoyable way for everyone to offer continuing support to their efforts. 

Throughout November - coincidentally National Philanthropy Month - Sun Singer will donate $2 to the Champaign County Humane Society for every bottle of LAB adopted.  

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