Every third Thursday of November, at the stroke of midnight, millions of bottles are opened simultaneously around the world. This is Beaujolais Nouveau — France’s most talked-about wine event, born right here, just a stone’s throw from Lyon.
Here is everything you need to know about Beaujolais Nouveau 2026: its date, its history, its clichés and how to appreciate it intelligently.
Beaujolais Nouveau 2026: what’s the date?
Beaujolais Nouveau goes on sale every year on the third Thursday of November.
In 2026, Beaujolais Nouveau is released on Thursday 19 November 2026 at midnight.
The history of Beaujolais Nouveau: from rail wagons to 30 countries
Contrary to popular belief, Beaujolais Nouveau is not a marketing invention. It has very real roots in the agricultural history of the region.
The origins: the primeur wine of the canuts
Historically, the canuts of Lyon (silk weavers of the Croix-Rousse) had a tradition of drinking the new wine just weeks after the harvest. Beaujolais winemakers delivered their first vats to Lyon by cart, then by train, from November onwards.
This “primeur” wine — vinified very quickly by carbonic maceration to be drunk young — was fruity, light, and perfect for quenching the thirst of the silk workshops.
1951: the official date is set
In 1951, a decree formalised the release date for Beaujolais primeur wines: 15 November. A local tradition became a national rule.
1985: the third Thursday of November
In 1985, the date was revised to fall on a Thursday — the best day for sales in restaurants and supermarkets. Since then, it has always been the third Thursday of November.
Going global
In the 1970s and 1980s, driven by the dynamism of Beaujolais négociants (Georges Dubœuf above all), Beaujolais Nouveau was exported. Japan, the United States and Britain all fell for this event-wine. At the height of its success in the 1990s, 60 million bottles were sold each year across 30 countries.
Beaujolais Nouveau vs Beaujolais Cru: what’s the difference?
Beaujolais Nouveau is often criticised — sometimes fairly. But it must be distinguished from the 10 Beaujolais crus, which are an entirely different story.
| Beaujolais Nouveau | Beaujolais Cru | |
|---|---|---|
| Appellation | Beaujolais / Beaujolais Villages | Morgon, Fleurie, Moulin-à-Vent, etc. |
| Vinification | Rapid carbonic maceration | Traditional vinification |
| Drink | Within the year | 3 to 10 years depending on the cru |
| Profile | Fruity, light, low tannins | Complex, structured, strong terroir character |
If Beaujolais Nouveau can disappoint, a Morgon or Moulin-à-Vent from a good producer is a great wine that can rival many a Burgundy.
Where to drink Beaujolais Nouveau 2026 in Lyon?
Lyon is the unofficial capital of Beaujolais. Every third Thursday of November, wine shops, bouchons and wine bars hold Beaujolais Nouveau evenings.
- The bouchons lyonnais: most serve Beaujolais Nouveau by the carafe that week.
- Local wine shops: Guillotière, Croix-Rousse and Vieux-Lyon all have their go-to addresses.
- Le Petit Musée du Vin: come and discover the history of Beaujolais and taste the great crus in our 18th-century vaulted cellars — the best way to move beyond the Nouveau cliché.
Beaujolais Nouveau by the numbers
- 7 million bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau sold per year today (vs 60M at peak)
- 3 grape varieties permitted: Gamay (red), Chardonnay and Aligoté (whites)
- 18,000 hectares of vines in the Beaujolais
- 12 appellations including 10 crus
Curious to go further? Discover the incredible story of Gamay — the grape variety banished from Burgundy in 1395 that found its spiritual home in our vineyards. And to understand why a Morgon and a Fleurie can be so different despite sharing the same grape, our guide to French wine terroirs explains everything. Come and put it all into practice at the museum — the practical information page tells you everything you need to know before your visit.