November 3, 2008 marked the annual premier presentation of Vino Novello, which is the Italian cousin of the French Beaujolais Nouveau. The presentation of Vino Novello will take place this year at the Verona fair grounds after twenty years of being held in Vicenza. Hosted by the Italian Agriculture Minister Luca Zaia, this years presentation is aptly named “Anteprima Novello”. Vino Novello is first available during the first week in November, just prior to Beaujolais Nouveau which cannot be opened until the third Thursday of November. Vino Novello is an early bottling intended to preview the vintage, and spark interest in future purchases of that year’s releases.
Italian law requires that Novello be bottled within a year of the harvest. Like Beaujolais Nouveau, it is typically bottled just a few weeks before shipment. The wine is typically light and fruity (sometimes served chilled), primarily due to the juice not being left on the grape skins for an extended exposure to tannin. Primary differences between Novello and Beaujolais are that (1) Novello can be made with different blended varietals from different regions in Italy whereas Beaujolais is from the Gamay grape solely from the Beaujolais region, and (2) Novello typically retains some carbonation used to speed up fermentation whereas Beaujolais is typically flat.
Vino Novello or Beaujolais Nouveau? Whatever your favorite, vive le difference!
Best, Joe Plonk
www.drinkplonk.com
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