Andy Devaney
Every November, France throws one of its most charming nationwide parties—Beaujolais Nouveau Day—where the wine’s barely older than your week-old bread, and no one seems to care.
This year, Côte Brasserie is bringing that same French mischief across the Channel, inviting the UK to join in with a celebration that’s all about good food, great company, and the first taste of the year’s new vintage.
At one minute past midnight on the third Thursday of November, corks pop across France as barrels of freshly bottled Beaujolais Nouveau are cracked open. It’s a festival of fruit-forward exuberance made from Gamay grapes grown in the rolling hills north of Lyon. And now, Côte Brasserie is giving Brits the chance to raise a glass to it too—without having to dig out their passport.
On Thursday, 20 November, Côte will pour the 2025 vintage by the glass (£10.20) or bottle (£37) at all its UK restaurants. But for those in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff Central, and Exeter, there’s an extra treat: an exclusive soirée with live music, a bespoke three-course menu, and, naturally, plenty of that ruby-red French mischief—all for £50 per person.
The brasserie’s in-house sommelier has built a menu designed to let the wine strut its stuff like a Parisian on market day. The Chicken Liver Parfait leads the charge—its richness lifted by Beaujolais’ bright cherry and raspberry notes, while macerated figs add a wink of sweetness. The Warm Beetroot Salad keeps things earthy and elegant, echoing the wine’s gentle tannins and autumnal freshness.
Then there’s the Confit Pork Belly, where Beaujolais’ lively acidity cuts through the richness like a well-honed sabre, its red-fruit character dancing alongside the dish’s apple and raisin notes. For cheese enthusiasts, the Délice de Bourgogne and Cantal are a double act worth toasting—the first creamy and lush, the second nutty and proud, both playing beautifully with the wine’s fruity charm.
And when it’s time for dessert, Côte goes full French finale. The Tarte au Citron sings with citrus zest, while the Chocolate Praline Tart is a velvet knockout—one bright, one decadent, both buoyed by Beaujolais’ cherry, strawberry, and raspberry tones.
A Côte Brasserie spokesperson summed it up perfectly: “Beaujolais Nouveau is about celebrating life’s simple pleasures—sharing a bottle, a meal, and a moment together. It’s playful, full of character, and unmistakably French, just like Côte! We’re thrilled to invite guests to experience the joy of this iconic tradition with us. Santé.”
It’s the kind of evening where calories don’t count and the conversation flows easier with every pour. A nod to the French way of life—equal parts style, soul, and a splash of silliness.
Bookings are advised for this one-day-only celebration (because once the Beaujolais is gone, it’s gone), though walk-ins will be welcomed if there’s a table left standing.
Book now and join the revelry at Côte Brasserie’s Beaujolais Nouveau celebration. After all, life’s too short for last year’s wine.
