The Beaujolais region of France is home to the Gamay grape, and is renowned for several wines produced from this hand-harvested fruit. One of the most well known is the vin de primeur Beaujolais Nouveau, fermented by carbonic maceration and bottled just six to eight weeks after harvest (as opposed to the months or years some wines are given).

Each season’s Beaujolais Nouveau are kept off shelves around the world until a coordinated release on the third Thursday of November. That means when you pop open your first bottle or take your first sip of this fruity, bright, nearly tannin-less vino, folks from France to New York to San Francisco are doing the same.

Where can you get your Beaujolais on? Check out several events held around D.C. to celebrate the release. Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé! Or, in localspeak, it’s Beaujolais Nouveau time, baby.

Beaujolais Nouveau Arrival Celebration
Midnight, Wednesday, November 14
Bistrot Du Coin (1738 Connecticut Ave.)
Though the restaurant is fully booked for dinner, you can get in line for the midnight party, where the very first taste of Beaujolais Nouveau of this year can be yours, along with dancing and music.

Beaujolais Nouveau Party
5–10 PM, Thursday, November 15
Central Michel Richard (1001 Pennsylvania Ave.)
The French dining room is celebrating the release of the new harvest by pouring Beaujolais Nouveau by Domain Dupeubles in bottle and glass. Find 15% all wines from the Burgundy region all night, and listen to live Parisian gypsy jazz from 7–10:30 PM. Also look for interactive tastings, by-the-glass specials and wine trivia games with prizes.

Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting
6 PM–close, Thursday, November 15
Bistrot Lepic (1736 Wisconsin Ave.)
A tasting of this year’s harvest will take place at the wine bar with Hot Club of D.C. Stay tuned for more details.

Beaujolais Nouveau Special Menu
5:30 PM–close, Thursday, November 15
Cafe Dupont (1500 New Hampshire Ave.)
The restaurant of the Dupont Circle Hotel is offering two special menus to celebrate the occasion. For two people, a prix fixe meal of three courses and a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau is yours for $90, or if you’re on your own, go for the $45 prix fixe option, which includes two glasses of the Gamay wine.

Center Women Present Beaujolais Nouveau
6:30–8:30 PM, Thursday, November 15; $15
Gallery Plan B (1530 14th St. NW)
The women of the DC Center for LGBT Community presents their first annual signature event, celebrating the Gamay wine. Come out (pun intended) to sip and chat at the gallery on the 14th Street arts corridor (tickets here).

Beaujolais and Beyond Celebration
8 PM, Friday, November 16; $55 or $95 for VIP
La Maison Française at the French Embassy (4101 Reservoir Rd. NW)
The French Embassy of the United States and the Alliance Française team up for this annual fête. Your ticket includes fare from several top restaurants and free-flowing George Dubeouf Beaujolais Nouveau, along with a DJ, dancing, a blind tasting contest, a trivia quiz, a silent auction and a raffle for a trip to Paris (tickets here).

Top photo via Flickr user Sergey Melkonov; bottom photo via Flickr user jetalone

Event Date: 11/15
Event Time: Various Times
Location: Various Bars
Price: Varies