Beaujolais Nouveau Arrives in Pasadena November 23, 2008

The 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau makes its much-anticipated debut at a special wine tasting and dinner organized by the Alliance Française de Pasadena, Sunday, November 23 from 6:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. at Madeleines Restaurant & Wine Bistro, 1030 East Green Street, 91106. Tickets are $60 per person. Please R.S.V.P. by calling (626) 683-3774 or e-mailing to [email protected].

Beaujolais Nouveau, the renowned French wine made from Gamay grapes, is the most popular vin de primeur in the world, with an established ritual of officially releasing it for sale on the third Thursday every November. Tasting the first fruits from this legendary region is an eagerly awaited experience by wine lovers everywhere.

“In Pasadena, we embellish the Beaujolais Nouveau experience by beginning with a sampling of the new vintage, then proceeding to another Beaujolais variety to add perspective,” states Veronique Maheas, oenophile and Vice President, Alliance Française de Pasadena. “That way, we can compare different wines from the region and match them with a fabulous fall menu that we serve as the accompanying dinner.”

Madeleines Restaurant & Wine Bistro has developed a five course meal to balance the light and simple character of Beaujolais Nouveau. Starting with a passed hors d'œuvre of Salade de crabe with Dijon and tarragon en brioche, the meal prepared by Chef Claud Beltran proceeds to a choice of Salade frisée with prosciutto and goat cheese vinaigrette, or Coquilles St Jacques fumées (smoked scallops) in avocado and Miso truffle sauce. This is followed by a main course of Travers de boeuf braisés (braised short ribs) with roasted parsnips, carrots and petites pommes de terre roties, or Blanc de poulet roti aux sucs de sherry (Chicken breast in sherry pan sauce) with potato cake and green beans, or Seared Lotte (Monkfish), courgettes kapocha and fresh herbes de Provence. The pairing concludes with Beignets accompanied by sauce chocolat brandy.

“Matching foods to wines is such an important step and is often forgotten at wine tastings,” says Maheas. “Beaujolais Nouveau, as well as its regional companion Beaujolais-Villages, deserves the full complement of wonderful meals and great conversation.”

Official Website: http://www.afdepasadena.org