Le Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrivé á Bouchon Bistro

In tandem with the tradition of releasing the newest Beaujolais vintage each year on the third Thursday in November, Chef Thomas Keller will offer a prix fixe menu in celebration of this food-friendly wine at his Bouchon Bistro in Yountville.

Beginning today, Nov. 21, Bouchon’s Beaujolais Nouveau menu will feature classic dishes characteristic of Lyon and Beaujolais and will be available for dinner at each property for $45 per guest through Nov. 27.  A bottle of Jean Foillard Beaujolais Nouveau may be paired with the menu for a supplement of $30.

“Earlier in my career, I can recall the excitement and the anticipation surrounding the Beaujolais Nouveau release each fall,” said Thomas Keller, Chef/Proprietor, Thomas Keller Restaurant Group.

“It is my hope that we can recreate a piece that experience and revive some of those memories in our own way this year," Keller said.

"While our wine program has celebrated Beaujolais Nouveau since we opened our first Bouchon property 15 years ago, this is the first year that we are offering a unique menu focused on the release to engage our guests in this festive tradition at all three properties,” he said.

With the food-friendly vintage in mind, Bouchon’s Beaujolais Nouveau prix fixe menu commences with Saucisson á l’ail en Brioche, a house-made garlic sausage in brioche and marinated vegetables.

The main course, Joue de Bouef Bourguinon, is classically prepared beef cheeks braised in red wine with French round carrots, Tokyo turnips, pearl onions, button mushrooms and egg noodles.  The menu’s finale, Mignardises, features house made petite sweets.

For those guests who wish to extend their Beaujolais Nouveau experience, Persille de Beaujolais, a supplemental cheese course is available, accompanied by poached French dried plums with frisée and Bouchon Bakery baguette. 

One of the attractive qualities of Beaujolais Nouveau is the fact that it is easy to drink with food. 

Many producers make Beaujolais Nouveau, but Bouchon will be featuring Jean Foillard alongside the menu for guests as their wines represent some of the best value in Beaujolais today and are widely regarded for their high quality.

Founded in 1981 just four years before the French law passed restricting the release of Beaujolais Nouveau before the third Thursday in November, Jean Foillard produces Beaujolais Nouveau from 40-60 year-old vines near Morgon, a grand cru village within the Beaujolais boundaries in France. 

The vineyards are farmed organically and the wine goes through semi-carbonic, whole cluster fermentations to create a light, abundantly fruitful gamay blend. 

“Not only is the release of this wine a great way to connect our guests with the French culture,” said Chef Keller, “but it times perfectly with our own Thanksgiving traditions, complementing many of the dishes shared at our table.”

Guests may make reservations for the Beaujolais Nouveau menu at each of Bouchon’s properties by visiting www.bouchonbistro.com.