Thursday, November 19, 2026
Beaujolais Nouveau 2026:
Where to Drink the First Wine of the Harvest
Paris, London, Brooklyn & Palma — our favourite natural-wine bars and bistros raise a glass to the 2026 Gamay
The third Thursday of November is upon us once again: on Thursday, November 19, 2026, the corks fly on the 2026 vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau. What began as a Lyon bistro tradition is now the world's biggest single-day wine party — and nobody does it better than the natural-wine bars and bistros we love. Here's where we're raising a glass of Gamay this year.
Paris
France 🇫🇷Le Repaire de Cartouche — the Christophe Pacalet fête
Rodolphe Paquin's beloved 11th-arrondissement bistrot keeps its annual tradition alive: a proper fête du Beaujolais built around the wines of Christophe Pacalet, one of the benchmark natural winemakers of the cru villages around Lantignié. Expect convivial chaos, terrines on the bar, and Gamay flowing in generous quantities. Last year's edition was a highlight of our Paris roundup — Corinne and the team are holding the fort again in 2026.
Bien Boire — Cave à Vins République
Details TBCThe natural-leaning cave on avenue de la République — known for pouring everything from Justin Dutraive's Fleurie to Auvergne gems — is finalizing its Beaujolais plans and will confirm shortly. One to watch; their Thursday hours run until midnight, which bodes well.
London
UK 🇬🇧Authentique London — tutored tasting in Whetstone, boeuf bourguignon at the wine bar
The French bakery, fine food and wine shop behind some of North London's best croissants doubles as one of its most serious natural-wine merchants — and Beaujolais Nouveau is, in their words, "a similar event every year," done properly at both sites.
At the bakery & wine shop, Whetstone: a sit-down tutored tasting with cheese and charcuterie, pouring two organic Beaujolais Nouveau from Domaine Gaget, plus a flight of Beaujolais crus for context. It's the most vinous way we know to buy your weekend baguette.
At the wine bar, Tufnell Park: a special boeuf bourguignon on the menu, a festive atmosphere, free tastes of their Nouveaux, and special pours by the glass. Hard to argue with any of that.
Lady of the Grapes — Beaujolais Nouveau with the winemaker
Carole Bryon's organic, biodynamic and natural wine bar — famous for a list devoted to female winemakers — hosts a Beaujolais Nouveau evening with the winemaker herself. Booking is live now.
Bistro Freddie, Shoreditch
Details TBCShoreditch's "Paris in London" corner bistro — with a proudly all-French wine list — is planning a Beaujolais evening; final details to be confirmed by email. Given the room seats only 45, book early once announced.
Bar Crispin, Soho
Details TBCThe pocket-sized natural wine bar on Kingly Street — whose list gives an extra nod to the Loire, Beaujolais, Savoie and Jura — is finalizing its plans. We'll update as soon as they land in our inbox.
New York
USA 🇺🇸Thirst Wine Merchants, Fort Greene — The 4th Annual Blind Tasting Throwdown
Brooklyn's natural wine institution calls it "undeniably the best Thursday of the year" — and it's always their biggest day of the year. The immemorial ode to voluminous imbibing returns with a whopping EIGHT Nouveaux to blind taste — vote for your favorite and the winner is crowned at close. Will there be another upset like last year's triumph by @jet_ski_slim? They promise it's all Beaujolais (most likely) this go-round. Thursday, November 19, from 5pm until close — taste, celebrate, and stock up.
Palma de Mallorca
Spain 🇪🇸Bar La Sang
Details TBCPalma's cult natural wine bar and bottle shop (with the little sibling Petit La Sang) is planning its Beaujolais evening — details coming by email. The neon sign says it all: "Jesus was a winemaker."
