More than half of the year-ly production of Beaujolais Nouveau is consumed in countries other than France.
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.
Beaujolais Nouveau, the French red wine that’s released worldwide annually on the third Thursday of November, is ready for its close-up, as people around the world prepare to sample the 2009 vintage.
Based on the Gamay grape and consumed while in a “young state,” it’s become a worldwide race to be the first to serve the new harvest. But before you partake in tonight’s festivities (Tria’s two locations are serving up glasses at $5 each from 4 p.m. until it’s gone), enjoy these pictures of the world celebrating last year’s vintage.