Date: Fri 14-Nov-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Nouveau-Beaujolais-McLaughlin

Full Text:

1997 Nouveau Is Ready For Release

On November 14, McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook will release its first wine

from the spectacular 1997 harvest.

Nouveau, French for "new," is one-month-old red wine that celebrates the new

vintage. This wine, made from the locally grown varietal, Foch, is available

only through Christmas.

The tradition surrounding Nouveau in the United States can be traced to the

Beaujolais region of France. In the early 1930s oak barrels from vineyards in

Beaujolais, filled with the new red wine of the year, would be sent to bars

and restaurants for use shortly after the harvest. In 1938 the French

government sought to curtail this undocumented widespread distribution by

establishing a fixed release date.

In 1951 a release date was established: December 15. In 1985 this date was

changed to the third Thursday of November. A set date would allow all

vineyards within the controlled appellation of Beaujolais to promote and

gear-up for a big release.

This European tradition that brings much party and fanfare to Paris is also

experienced in the United States. Most notably, Berringer Vineyards in Napa

Valley, CA, is the largest producer of an American "Nouveau."

As Connecticut has prospered in the wine industry, McLaughlin Vineyards has

begun the production of a Nouveau red wine. Similar in style to Beaujolais

nouveau, McLaughlin's wine is fresh and fruity, making it a wonderful

companion to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

To celebrate the worldwide release of Nouveau, the Sandy Hook vineyard is

hosting a series of open-houses at local wine shops to learn about and taste

Nouveau. Morgen McLaughlin and Charles Storo, the winemaker at McLaughlin,

will attend many of these tastings to discuss how they made Nouveau and what

makes this wine unique.

McLaughlin Vineyards is a 2,500-case commercial winery located on a 160-acre

estate in Sandy Hook. The winery, under the management of Morgen McLaughlin,

is dedicated to the production of dry-style white and red wines.

The winery was established in 1979, and is one of nine vineyards and wineries

in the state. For more information on the upcoming tastings, contact Morgen

McLaughlin at 426-1533.