New York, November 20, 2008 – Les Vins de Georges Duboeuf and Paris Las Vegas launched a weekend of activities to celebrate the arrival of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau starting at 12:01 a.m. on November 20th with the lighting of the hotel’s 50-story replica of the Eiffel Tower Beaujolais red. The wine arrived to Paris Las Vegas by a dramatic helicopter delivery via Las Vegas Helicopters, landing just feet away from the Eiffel Tower replica. Georges Duboeuf Can-Can dancers escorted the wine from the helicopter and presented the newly released Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 to a (fill in- celebrity guest host) who flipped the switch to light the tower and kick off the celebration attended by the public.
Yann Bourigault, Export Director, North America, for Les Vins de Georges Duboeuf, presided over the post-midnight official uncorking ceremony. Bourigault announced that the harvest this year was optimum. “Brilliant sunshine dominated the last 20 days of September, allowing for a late harvest in which the Gamay grapes achieved perfect balance. Yields are possibly the lowest since 1975; consequently the 2008 is a more full bodied, ‘winemaker’s vintage,’ he noted. Georges Duboeuf is the most popular producer of Beaujolais in the world and the number one French wine brand in the U.S.
“We are thrilled to join wine-lovers around the globe to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau, which has been a worldwide phenomenon for more than 50 years,” said Marilyn Winn, president of Paris Las Vegas. “Like St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago and Chinese New Year in San Francisco, we are thrilled to be hosting our 2nd annual event this year.”
According to French law, Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from 100 percent Gamay grapes,
is released at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday in November. This longtime tradition is
celebrated worldwide with “Beaujolais Nouveau Est Arrivé!” events. More than 250 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau events taking place around the country can be found at www.chilledred.com.
Bourigault noted that this year, in an unprecedented break from tradition, 75% of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau was delivered by ship from France to the U.S. instead of by air freight. This measure was intended to help offset the wine’s carbon footprint. The boat shipment also help offset an otherwise significant price increase due to rising fuel costs. Due to shipment by boat the wine remains at a retail price of US$10-12 per bottle.
By law, Beaujolais Nouveau’s Gamay grapes must be harvested by hand. The wine’s easy drinkability is partially due to a production process called carbonic maceration, or whole berry fermentation. This technique preserves the fresh, fruity quality of the wine, without extracting bitter tannins from the grape skins. The wine is bottled six weeks after harvest. Approximately one-third of the entire crop in the Beaujolais region is sold as Beaujolais Nouveau. More than 65 million bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau are expected to be consumed this year. Beaujolais Nouveau is a refreshing and versatile wine that pairs well with casual foods and is a popular complement to Thanksgiving turkey and ham.
Throughout the weekend. Paris Las Vegas and Georges Duboeuf will offer complementary wine tastings of the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau to guests and patrons at a special lobby bar November 20th, 21st and 22nd from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. The acclaimed Michelin-rated Eiffel Tower Restaurant will host a complimentary tasting open to the public on Friday, November 21 from noon to 3 p.m. Paris Las Vegas’ signature Les Artistes Steakhouse will host a special Beaujolais Nouveau wine tasting event not-to-be-missed on Saturday, November 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Georges Duboeuf will offer a selection of their famed French wines in addition to the 2008 Beaujolais Nouveau.The Award-Winning Paris Las Vegas culinary team has created special food stations which include: sweet and savory crepes, French cheese selections with fruit, nuts and Artisan breads, entrée stations will include Grilled Medallions of New York Strip, Overstuffed Squash Ravioli, Seared Turkey Rillettes and Hard Spice Smoked Duck. A special pastry station will feature assorted petite French pastry selections. Live music will create a festive atmosphere. Tickets are $30 (all inclusive) and can be purchased at the Paris Box Office or by calling 1-877-374-7469.
Three of the resort’s signature restaurants - Mon Ami Gabi, Les Artistes Steakhouse and Le Provencal - will feature special wine pairings and wine offerings throughout the celebration. Les Artistes Steakhouse will offer a four-course dinner tasting menu featuring a choice of Steak and Blue Cheese Macaroni Gratin or Crispy Skinned Duck Confit appetizer, choice of Roquefort and Endive Salad or Frisee with Smoked Bacon Lardons, Herb and Garlic Roasted Prime Rib or Beef or Sage and Butter Game Hen as an entrée with assorted Petite French Petit Fours for dessert.
Le Provencal will offer a four-course tasting menu featuring Alsatian Tarte or Grilled Chicken Brochette
with Garlic and Fresh Herbs appetizer, choice of Roasted Tomato Bisque or Mesculin Salad with Roquefort and Cranberries, Flame Grilled 10 ounce New York Sirloin or Turkey Scaloppini with Papperadelle as an entrée with assorted Petite Italian Pastry and Cookies for dessert.
Guests at Mon Ami Gabi will enjoy Oysters with Corn Mignonette, Cream of Garlic Soup with Cabbage, Flageolet Beans and Ham Hock, Pan-Seared Arctic Char with Red Potatoes, Brussel Sprout Leaves, Caramelized Garlic, Beaujolais and Bacon Sauce; Warm Roasted Chicken Sandwich with Camembert Cheese, Sliced Pears and Pineapple Sage Aioli with Blackcurrant Sorbet with Red Wine Syrup for dessert. Guests can also enjoy a wide-variety of Beaujolais Nouveau wines from a festive wine cart
Rock ‘n Roll Wine, known for its signature high-energy wine events, will host a Beaujolais Nouveau-themed wine tasting on Friday evening, November 21, inside Risqué, the nightclub at Paris Las Vegas.
Scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m., the event will feature live music and a unique assortment of delicious world wines including Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.rocknrollwine.com or calling 702-240-3066. Ticket prices, which include wine and live entertainment, are $38.50 in advance and $44 at the door (tax inclusive).
In addition to the weekend festivities at Paris Las Vegas, Les Vins de Georges Duboeuf and its exclusive U.S. agent, W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., hosted special Beaujolais Nouveau est Arrive! events in New York and Miami with a brigade of Beaujolais Bikers- chefs and sommeliers on motorcycles- escorting Georges Duboeuf partner Franck Duboeuf (in New York) and winemaker Stéphane Queralt (Miami) to uncorking ceremonies.
Bourigault said that, as part of the national launch of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, donations were made to three hunger relief charities: Citymeals-on-Wheels, City Harvest and Share Our Strength.