FDUK FrenchDuck UK latest items

Anthony Peregrine in the Times has penned an interesting article about the much maligned Beaujolais Nouveau, contending that it has improved immensely over recent years, and drawing attentiion to the fact that it seems only to be the Brits who have decided to turn away from what used to be a highlight of an otherwise dull late Autumn, with the Japanese, Americans, Germans and even the Chinese showing more enthusiasm for this young wine than us."So I say it’s time to ditch the misgivings and (re)join the party. I further recommend we travel to Beaujolais to do so. November is a dismal month that could use some festive brightening. And even in autumn, the Beaujolais is a delight, France’s most famous unknown region. It’s famous, of course, for the wine — and unknown because nobody goes there. A serious error."
The region is delightful, and the undulating hills of the Beaujolais are captivating - even in the winter. Although I have never quite discovered the charms of Macon, the surrounding villages and smaller towns such as Belleville are attractive. Peregrine offers some good recommendations for staying, dining and touring the region.
One personal recommendation is la Poularde, a good little restaurant in the small railway station at Pontanevaux (71, Saone et Loire, Bourgogne - see map) - excellent lunch just across the road from one of our favourite producers/negociants - Paul Beaudet - if you're lucky you'll meet the charming Etienne Akar, who is very knowledgeable and speaks excellent English.

Another place to visit is the Hospices de Beaujeu - see www.hospices-de-beaujeu.com, an old hospital and also the site of the annual wine auction for charity. Wine is made here and is available for sale.
Beaujolais Nouveau, like all Beaujolais reds, is made from the juicy, jammy Gamay grape, which because of its thin skin and low tannin is ideal for making a young wine, to be drunk slightly chilled. Beaujolais Nouveau is released on the third Thursday of November each year (this year on 16 November 2006). A decade or so ago the wine could not be shipped out of the Beaujolais region before midnight on the Wednesday, hence the invention of the Beaujolais Nouveau run, whereby teams would race to be the first to get a case of the wine back to London.
Suppliers: Nick Dobson