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Beaujolais Nouveau Day is one of the biggest days in a wine drinker’s calendar, but it’s also a great excuse for a party. This year, Bojo Novo Day takes place this Thursday November 21 – and, as always, London will be marking the occasion.
Now, a fair few of you may be thinking: what on Earth is ‘beaujolais nouveau’? And why does it have its own day? Beaujolais nouveau is a red wine produced in France’s Beaujolais region. It’s a vin de primeur, which means it’s a wine sold in the same year it’s harvested – and it’s famously released at 12.01am on the third Thursday of November. In France the day is famous for its festivals, celebrations and parties.
But France doesn’t hog all the fun when it comes to Bojo Novo. The day is marked all around the world, including London. Whether you’re a Frenchie abroad or simply fancy a bit of wine-based fun, here are the best places to mark Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2024 in the capital.
Le Beaujolais
Where else? The clue’s in the name at Le Beaujolais, which currently sits at third in Time Out’s list of the best wine bars in London. On Thursday Bojo Novo Day will be marked by Le Beaujolais in a very classic, French sort of fashion – which is no less than we’d expect from a very classic, very French sort of place.
25 Litchfield St, WC2H 9NJ. Find out more.
Marceline
Looking for a bit more than a few glasses of fresh gamay? Canary Wharf joint Marceline has both vino and a solid deal to celebrate Bojo Novo Day, offering a steak French dip sandwich and a first glass of Beaujolais Nouveau for just £10 per person. Marceline’s party will be drop-ins only and lasts until it’s all gone.
10 Water St, E14 5GX, 12pm. More here.
La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
Forget Beaujolais Nouveau Day, at La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels it’ll be a Beaujolais Nouveau weekend. The Neal’s Yard bar will host four days of Bojo Novo celebrations from Thursday to Sunday, with several proper Beaujolais Nouveau wines on offer – served from magnum and starting from just £10.
8-10 Neal’s Yard, WC2H 9DP, midday to midnight. More here.
The Plimsoll
Hyper-trendy Finsbury Park pub The Plimsoll will offer its own take on Beaujolais Nouveau Day with a menu of regional French classics with added ‘Plimsoll touch’, including trout tartare with fried bread, steak haché and, of course, lots of cheese. The wine’ll come from Domain Lapalu, Selene and Château Cambon.
52 St Thomas's Rd, N4 2QQ. More here.
Sune
Broadway Market’s Sune is hosting a Bojo Novo barrel-bottling party, with an entire barrel of the good stuff at their disposal over lunch, dinner and into the evening. The menu will have a ‘Lyonnais accent’ and at 6pm the festivities will spill out into a street party with oyster-shucking and 288 bottles hand-bottled from Beaujolais’ Obora Vineyard.
129A Pritchard's Rd, E2 9AP. More here.
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