In previous years, it's been an elegant, black-tie affair. This year, it returns to its popular roots as a festival of the people. Seattle's Beaujolais Nouveau festival has long been a time to eat good food, drink decent wine and have fun. Still sponsored by the French-American Chamber of Commerce (who else?), but without the pressure of raising tens of thousands of bucks.
It's a French tradition to welcome the first wines from the new vintage – in this case, the famous Beaujolais Nouveau. The ceremonial uncorking takes place in in cafés all over France; around the world, its arrival signals the end of the harvest and the beginning of the fall holiday season.
This year's event, this coming Friday--held not at a fancy hotel but at the Lake Union Armory--will feature a “walk-about” wine tasting of regional wines from Burgundy and the Rhone Valley, paired with a wide array of food. A French-themed “village” will offer samplings of products from French restaurants and shops. Live and silent auctions as well; Cornichon has donated a pub-crawl through Belltown.
More than 400 Francophones and Francophilesare expected to attend. Price is $60 for members of the French-American Chamber of Commerce, $70 for non-members. Discounts for groups of 10. To buy tickets online for the Seattle event, go to beaujolaisnouveau.wordpress.com and click on "Purchase Tickets." Do it today or tomorrow!
Now just a minute! "Bojo nouveau and black tie..?" Something wrong with this combination. Tell 'em, pls, Cornichon!