Uncorking of 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau lets you visit France via wine glass
November 20, 2009 at 11:12 pm 6 comments
A young, fruity red wine that usually retails for less than $20 a bottle, Beaujolais Nouveau is a Thanksgiving table favorite. Here, one from Laboure-Roi makes its debut at Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar in Chicago's River North district.
As a freelance journalist who writes about both travel AND food, I frequently find these two passions of mine intersect deliciously. For me—someone who’d rather spend her trips abroad checking out local eateries than traipsing through museums—uncovering the culture behind cuisine is a beautiful thing. That’s one of MANY reasons why I so adore spending time in France.
Travel with me to “TCW Travel Connection,” the blog I write for Today’s Chicago Woman magazine. In my latest post, I wax poetic about a MOST incredible meal I had Nov. 19 at Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar, a colorful and authentic French spot in Chicago’s chic River North ‘hood. As was the case at several eateries and special events around town, Cyrano’s was celebrating the official 2009 release of Beaujolais Nouveau, a fruity, food- and wallet-friendly red wine from France. (French law mandates this wine can be released no earlier than the third Thursday in November.)
Sitting there at Cyrano’s with one of my best friends, a glass of fruity young Beaujolais in my hand, I felt myself mentally transported from Chi-town to somewhere near the Seine. If only….
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: Beaujolais Nouveau, Chef Didier Durand, Cyrano's Bistrot, River North, Thanksgiving, Wine Spectator.
1.
urbantravelgirl | November 23, 2009 at 7:24 am
Salut, Kiratiana –
QUEL DOMMAGE!! How crazy that it’s that tough to find Beaujolais in a “world-class” city like Chicago! I know they were serving it at Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar on North Wells (as I mentioned). Kiki’s Bistro @ 900 N. Franklin also had a special dinner, so perhaps they still have some by the glass.
But I DID pick up two bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau Joseph Drouhin — which I also enjoyed @ Cyrano’s Thursday night — at Fox & Obel for just $12.99 each! So perhaps you’ll need to host your OWN wine tasting — but they had several bottles at that price and at $17.99 on Sunday night, so hopefully the supply is still there.
Bonne chance!
Maureen
2.
Kiratiana | November 23, 2009 at 2:23 am
I just had the hardest TIME trying to find some beaujoulais in Chicago! I went Swirl wine bar…and can you believe that they did not have it? How can you be a wine bar and not have the newest beaujoulais….Do you know of any other places that have the new wine?
3.
urbantravelgirl | November 21, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Salut, Cynthia –
You know, Beaujolais is a lovely wine for people who don’t even DRINK. My friend Lisa, whose birthday we were celebrating at the dinner, doesn’t drink much at all, and she really enjoyed it. It’s nice and light and fruity. Which reminds me — just wrote myself a note to pick up a few bottles to take to my non-drinking parents’ house for Thanksgiving.
BONNE CHANCE (good luck) planning that getaway to France next year — I want to hear ALL about it!
Au revoir,
Maureen
4.
Cynthia | November 21, 2009 at 8:49 am
I will have to try this wine. I haven’t been to France..yet (aiming for it next year) but this wine sounds delightful!
5.
urbantravelgirl | November 21, 2009 at 3:02 am
Ciao, Carolyn –
Not surprising that you Europeans are able to buy American wne CHEAPER in Europe than you can get it in States. Crazy, isn’t it?
I figure in this crazy economy, anything we can do to travel mentally to places we’ve been before and loved OR to travel vicariously to places far, far away is a GREAT thing. Cuisine evokes such elementary senses for all of us — and that’s why so many of our memories are tied to our taste buds.
Maureen
6.
Carolyn van Es | November 21, 2009 at 1:43 am
you’re lucky you’ve found something that lets you travel a bit vicariously! My husband introduced me to the wonderful world of wine when we met. My favorite is California Zinfandel. Funny enough, it’s cheaper here than it is in the States. And you’re right, whenever I open a bottle, I’m back in DC and New Orleans (where we/I partook for the first time). Thanks for this post!