Beaujolais Nouveau celebrated by French festival

The village of Beaujeu it to host a French wine festival, it has emerged.

A simple ferry crossing to France could unite wine enthusiasts a bottle of 2008's batch of Beaujolais Nouveau, according to a travel writer.

Carolyn Boyd, writing for the Times, said that a candlelit procession weaves through the town to celebrate the launch of the sought-after wine, which is released one minute after midnight on November 19th.

A commentator said celebrations will be held across the country, with Parisians being big fans of the drink.

"It's accompanied by fireworks, a dinner and, of course, much degustation (tasting, that is) of the chilled, cloudy wine," she added.

Ms Boyd also described a visit last year to Montmartre, a Parisian district, where she witnessed a large number of purple balloons adorning cafes and restaurants.

The Basilica of the Sacred Heart, which is located at the top of the Butte de Montmartre, was described by Lonely Planet as one of Paris' most "spectacular" panoramas.

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4 November 2008