Raise Your Glass! It's Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Everyone has something that signifies the beginning of the holiday season to them. For me, it is the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau, the brightly colored wine bottles you'll now see in grocery and liquor stores, full of the newest release of wine from Beaujolais in France.

It has become a much anticipated celebration around the world on the third Thursday of November, the time designated by French law for this wine to be unveiled. Just like New Years, once midnight hits, corks are popped and the new vintage is consumed.

Thanks to my friends from Georges Duboeuf, I received a bottle in advance and was trusted to wait until midnight to open. Well, since midnight in France was 6pm US time yesterday......just kidding, I waited until midnight to pop the cork....really.

Georges Duboeuf is called the King of Beaujolais Nouveau and 2014 is being called a good year for Beaujolais. The winery's new release is full of red fruit, raspberry and it's a bit acidic.

Many wine aficionados turn their backs on Beaujolais Nouveau Day, saying this wine does not represent the true quality of Beaujolais. Since Beaujolais Nouveau (made from100% gamay grapes) is bottled 6-8 weeks after harvest, it has no time to age and does not have much depth of flavor. It is best with a little chill on it.

Beaujolais Nouveau may not be the best wine served at your holiday gathering but it's tradition, the labels are fun and festive and it is super affordable, in the $10 range. The holidays are officially here! CHEERS!

Super Moon, Super Sipping

What a great weekend for watching the skies. The Summer Solstice, when the sun reaches it's highest point, teamed with a Super Moon, when the moon reaches it's lowest point or is closest to Earth.

Summer Solstice is celebrated with feasts and festivals. Mine was a feast of wine, and it was epic.  A dear friend had a solstice party that culminated in a blind tasting of more than 20 bottles. We lined them all up on his protected pool table and the fun began. As each wine was poured, guests shouted things like "old world", "young", "cabernet", etc.

The wines came from North America, South American and premier growing regions of Europe. They ranged in price from $10 to over $100. Only two were corked or on their way out. One was mine: 2008 Domaine des Huards Cheverrny Le Pessoir Rouge. It was a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay from Loire, France. I raised my hand to say it was mine and a gentleman next to me asked if I was sure I wanted to admit it.

I said, "Yes, I'm glad I found out now instead of at a dinner party."

Take a look at some of the amazing goodies we got to try: