According to the Independent the Beaujolais region is effectively enjoying a climate equivalent to that 100 kilometres further south compared to 20 years ago. This also means that grape harvest is starting earlier, and hence the wines are no longer quite so “nouveau” when bottled, which should allow for a touch more maturity and finesse in the wines.
On the eve of the launch of Beaujolais Nouveau 2007, there is some thoughtful analysis of the issues facing the winemakers of Beaujolais:-
Beaujolais, however, is starting to fight back. For the first time this year a substantial amount of a Beaujolais Nouveau rosé will be sold. There is also a significant drive to improve quality.
“We were carried away with the euphoria,” said Dominique Piron, a wine producer and trader at Morgon, in the northern part of the beautiful Beaujolais hills, just north west of Lyons. “The more mass-produced forms of Beaujolais Nouveau were sometimes, frankly, bad and damaged the image not only of Nouveau but of all types of Beaujolais.
“Worse than that, the fad for Nouveau meant that even the better forms of Beaujolais, the ten ‘crus’ such as Morgon, Fleurie, Chiroubles, were made in the light, ‘nouveau’ style, without the richness and subtlety that good Beaujolais should always have.
Beaujolais Nouveau rosé is not something I have tried, but given the rise in popularity and availability of rosé wines on the shelves then a rosé may be a more attractive option – I shall obviously have to experiment!
Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the 3rd Thursday of November
If you cannot wait until November you could always go the annual Fete des Vins (Wine Festival) of the Maison du Cru Fleurie on 24 June 2017 16.30 – 23.00 in the park at Fleurie (69 Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). You can taste the wines and there will be music and food – see www.maisonducrufleurie.fr/.
In October there is a Wine Market (marché aux vins) in Fleurie 18-19 October 2019.
At other times the Maison du Cru Fleurie in the village opens daily, offering visitors the opportunity to taste 4-5 wines and/or buy any of the wines in stock at vineyard prices. The venture is owned and manned by the 32 winemakers who take in turns to staff the shop,
Rue des Crus 69820 Fleurie 10.00-12.30; 14.00-18.00
+33 (0) 4 74 69 00 23 
e: lamaisonducru@orange.fr
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