At midnight, as tradition dictates, the Beaujolais Nouveau barrel was drilled in Beaujeu, the epicenter of the vineyard, but also in several towns in the Rhône, from Lyon to Tarare.
"I was used to parties in the southwest, there I have the impression of finding myself there", exclaimed Olivia, a French tourist in Beaujeu, between parade of dancers, brass band and tasting stands. .
Beaujolais Nouveau weighs 18 million bottles, or 21.5% of the total production of the Beaujolais vineyard.
Beaujolais, Beaujolais Villages and 10 crus complete the production.
About 45% of the 135,000 hectoliters of Beaujolais nouveau produced, 96% of reds, are exported, according to 2020 figures from Inter Beaujolais.
Main client countries: Japan (29,000 hectoliters), United States (11,000) and Canada (5,900).
“Compared to last year, there are a lot less degrees. These are wines that are going to be a little more supple, more fruity, a little easier to drink than last year. 'were wines to keep. This year (...) less, (...) because the weather was not with us, a small harvest, we had frost, hail, mildew, black- rot ", explains to AFP François Béroujon, winemaker in Salles-Arbuissonnas-en-Beaujolais (Rhône).
And to conclude: "it is a festive wine (...) It goes by itself".
© 2021 AFP