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Where to spend Beaujolais Nouveau Day in London
This Thursday sees the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which celebrates the latest vintage of the fresh and fruity French wine. From lavish dinners to tastings, here are some of the best events in London to mark the day.
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Noble Rot Lamb’s Conduit
Last year Rotters’ Fête du Beaujolais featured a guest chef appearance from the legendary Pierre Koffmann, and this year two of the country’s most exciting up and coming chefs, Merlin Labron-Johnson (Osip) and Ed Wilson (Brawn), manning the stove to rustle up four courses, including poulet de bresse demi deuil, and Turbot with a beurre blanc & pomme vapour. Of course, the wines will also be exceptional, with winemakers including Julien Sunier, Justin Dutraive and Elisa Guerin (and others) joining the festivities. Plus, 100% of proceeds will be donated to Action Against Hunger.
£125 per ticket.
Maison François
Now in its third year, the Croûte Off seeks out the best pâté in pastry (effectively, and sorry to all French readers, an upmarket pork pie). This year’s panel of gastronauts, including but not limited to Fay Maschler, Lloyd Grossman and Tom Parker-Bowles, will determine which croûte is upper crust, and which doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Once the judges have had their taste of efforts from the likes of Florence Knight and Richard Corrigan, you will have the chance to wash down the entries with a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau before sitting down for a four-course dinner, including a suitably rich confit de canard, with yet more Beaujolais Nouveau.
£30 to witness the Croûte Off, £60 for the feast.
Gordon’s Wine Bar
This Embankment establishment holds the distinction of being London’s oldest wine bar, but on Thursday morning it will be celebrating the new. Opening early, at 8am, Gordon’s will be serving a full English with this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau – truly a breakfast of champions.
Galvin Bistrot & Bar
On the theme of a Beaujolais breakfast, Galvin Bistrot & Bar in Spitalfields Market will be offering it, as well as, for the first time ever, a Beaujolais lunch and dinner. For breakfast there’s a plethora of dishes, including the Burgundian classic of oeufs en meurette (and of course the obligatory glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, at £7.50). The lunch and dinner menus (£28 and £32 per person respectively) include coq au vin, and, if you haven’t had enough Beaujolais Nouveau, a pear poached in the stuff. Top marks for anyone who goes for all three meals.
D Vine Cellars
This Clapham wine bar and shop will be hosting a tasting of a flight of four fascinating wines from Beaujolais which D Vine Cellars promises will be “funky and fresh” – the best part is that if you find a drop you particularly like, you can then pick up a bottle for yourself.
£19.50 per ticket.
Arch Deli & Bar
Tucked away in Leytonstone, Arch Deli & Bar specialises in natural wine, and they’ve sourced four wines from the 2023 harvest to present over the course of the evening (there is no set time, just drop in between 5pm and 9.30pm). Look forward to Les Souriants from Maxime and Damien Troncy, Sylvère Trichard’s Selene, and offerings from Jean-Claude Lapalu and Château Cambon.
£25 per ticket.
Cave Cuvée
Bethnal Green may be around 400 miles (give or take) from Beaujolais, but this evening masterclass will give you everything you need to get to grips with Gamay. Taste through five fascinating wines, and then celebrate the release of the second vintage of the establishment’s own Top Cuvée Beaujolais Nouveau – if you buy a ticket you will also get 25% off when you buy a bottle of it at the end of the night too.
£45 per ticket.