The Beaujolais Nouveau arrived yesterday, but it seems that wine merchants are not celebrating like they usually do on the third Thursday of November.
Dismissed as unsophisticated by many wine critics, Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from Gamay grapes, surged in popularity in the 80s and 90s. The typically inexpensive wine has met subtle price increases in the past few years, and with competition from other cheap wines on the market, is not selling like it once did.
Via the Wall Street Journal: “Demand has certainly been waning,” says Chris Ryan, chief executive for Dreyfus, Ashby & Co., a New York-based wine distributor that sells Joseph Drouhin’s Beaujolais Nouveau. Sales began to slow about four years ago, he says, but have since leveled off. The drop in sales coincided with a weaker dollar and higher transportation costs.
Can the Thanksgiving holiday save this once powerful force on the wine market? With its light and fruity taste, Beaujolais is considered very drinkable with the traditionally rich foods served on Turkey Day. Will it be found on your table?
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