Beaujolais Nouveau 2021: Vintage Report, 10 Best Wines, Food Pairings

The Beaujolais Nouveau Day is a French tradition that commemorates the first wines of the Beaujolais harvest. The event was founded by winemaker Georges Duboeuf, and the legacy is carried forward by his son, Franck Duboeuf.

It takes place on the third Thursday of November annually and was celebrated on November 18th in 2021. Despite the challenges faced during the grape harvest in 2021, some Beaujolais producers crafted tender and fruity wines.

Let’s check out the Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 vintage report, the 10 best wines to buy, food pairings, and how the Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 wines are made.

Was 2021 A Good Year For Beaujolais Nouveau?

The Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 vintage was difficult. The Gamay grape harvest was low, so only a few bottles were produced.

The growing season was tough - marked by a devastating spring frost and heavy rainfall during summer. The grape harvest took place late in the year, around mid-September.

The wines produced were low in alcohol and tannins compared to other vintages like 2015 and 2020. However, Inter Beaujolais - a French wine council, praised the Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 wines for their exceptional quality and fruity, tender character. 

10 Best Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 Wines To Buy (Including Tasting Notes)

Here are the most delicate Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 wines to buy:

1. 2021 Domaine Jean Foillard Beaujolais Nouveau
2. 2021 Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais Nouveau
3. 2021 Chateau du Chatelard Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 'Baronne du Chatelard'
4. 2021 Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Nouveau
5. 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé
6. 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau
7. 2021 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau
8. 2021 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Nouveau
9. 2021 Albert Bichot Beaujolais Nouveau
10. 2021 Bouchard Aine & Fils Beaujolais Nouveau

1. 2021 Domaine Jean Foillard Beaujolais Nouveau ($24)

This red wine bottle from the Beaujolais region boasts chalky minerality, dark fruit aromas, and red fruit flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and red currant.

2. 2021 Dupeuble Pere et Fils Beaujolais Nouveau ($19)

This Beaujolais Nouveau wine has fine-grained tannins, balanced acidity, floral aromas, and a black cherry flavor with notes of small red fruits.

3. 2021 Chateau du Chatelard Beaujolais Villages Nouveau 'Baronne du Chatelard' ($19)

This fruity red wine from the Beaujolais region has a delicate red berry aroma, incredible freshness, medium tannins, subtle acidity, and red fruit flavors.

4. 2021 Manoir du Carra Beaujolais Nouveau ($15)

This Beaujolais Nouveau wine displays medium-bodied richness, crisp minerality, strawberry aromas, a dark fruit flavor, and a long, refreshing finish.

5. 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé ($12)

The 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau Rosé is one of the finest Georges Duboeuf wines. This remarkable wine has a creamy texture, floral aromas, a red currant aroma, and a wild strawberry flavor. 

6. 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau ($12)

Produced by the renowned Les Vins Georges Duboeuf winery, the 2021 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau wine boasts crisp acidity, smoky minerality, fresh red aromas, and a juicy blackberry flavor.

7. 2021 Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais Nouveau ($12)

This Beaujolais wine bottle opens with medium acidity, medium tannins, a fresh strawberry aroma, and a raspberry flavor with a tasting note of small red fruits.

8. 2021 Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages Nouveau ($12)

This remarkable wine shines with subtle tannins, medium acidity, raspberry aromas, and dark fruit flavors - a perfect treat for any passionate wine drinker.

9. 2021 Albert Bichot Beaujolais Nouveau ($9)

This ruby-red Beaujolais wine boasts ample acidity, incredible freshness, fruity complexity, medium tannins, wild strawberry aromas, and a cherry flavor with subtle citrus and spice notes.

10. 2021 Bouchard Aine & Fils Beaujolais Nouveau ($11)

This young wine displays a creamy texture, subtle acidity, a berry fruit flavor, and a cherry aroma with raspberry, strawberry, and spice notes.

Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 Wine And Food Pairings

Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 wines are delicious when served as aperitifs. However, these fresh and fruity drinks are also food-friendly.

Try these light and fresh wines with turkey, cheese, roasted pork, and poultry dishes.

How Are Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 Wines Made?

Let’s check out how the 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau wines are produced:

Gamay grape varieties are hand-picked and placed in a stainless steel tank to undergo carbonic maceration. During this process, the winemaker ferments the whole clusters of grapes in a tank filled with carbon dioxide gas.

To give the wines a creamy texture, the winemaker might also perform malolactic fermentation in a stainless steel tank. Finally, these fruity, quality wines are bottled and ready to be sold.

Sip A Tasty Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 Wine

The fruity Beaujolais Nouveau 2021 wines are food-friendly treats that any wine drinker will admire. Sip and enjoy these drinks on Beaujolais Nouveau Day or keep them for your upcoming events.

However, the 2021 Beaujolais Nouveau wines aren’t ideal for long-term wine investment. In fact, you can only enjoy these wines for up to a year after release.

Visit the Vinovest website to explore investment-grade bottles like fine French wines, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, and other quality wines. Vinovest helps you invest in wines from New York, New Zealand, Rhone Valley, the United Kingdom, and worldwide.