Celebrate the World’s Youngest Wine

It’s Beaujolais Nouveau week! Beaujolais, a region in France, produces wines from the Gamay grape and each year a batch of new wine is rushed to market just weeks after harvest (the third Thursday of November)—these super-young reds are light, fruity and extremely easy to drink. What started out as a local pleasure has mushroomed into a global marketing endeavor, much to the chagrin of many ‘serious’ wine drinkers. But what does this mean to you and me? Well, it’s a chance to party. SE Division is holding a neighborhood celebration in honor of the wine—a kind of Nouveau crawl—with small bites and wine tastings along the way. SE Wine Collective is the hub the activities—as well as tastings of the Collective’s own take on Gamay nouveau and specially chosen French Beaujolais, St. Jack’s Aaron Barnett will be providing food—but the likes of Salt & Straw, Lauretta Jean’s, Block & Tackle, Son of a Biscuit, St Honoré Boulangerie and New Seasons will be in on the action too. Proceeds go to benefit local schools. Nouveau Division Crawl, Thursday 20, 5 – 8pm, $25 adv. (available here)/$30 on door; New Seasons’ tasting 3 – 6pm

If you would prefer something more upscale and indulgent, on Friday the Heathman Restaurant & Bar is holding it’s annual Beaujolais Festival, which features nouveau wines from heavy-weight producers Georges Duboeuf and Joseph Drouhin. There will be other French wines to try and Oregon and Washington wineries, including Pacific Rim, Cooper Mountain and Eola Hills, will be participating. Cognac, vodka and cocktails will also be on offer, along with a French-inspired buffet (roast pig, lamb, beef, cheese and desserts). Beaujolais Nouveau Festival, The Heathman Hotel, 1001 SW Broadway, Friday 21, 6 – 10pm, $75; there are limited tickets at $55 for young professionals, available here