Youth isn't often celebrated in the wine world—unless you're talking about Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made with Gamay grapes in the Beaujolais region of France. It's fermented for only a few weeks before being released on the third Thursday of November each year. Here's where to celebrate the 2012 release by toasting to your Friday hangover.
—Amy Cavanaugh
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Where To Drink Beaujolais Nouveau Tonight

Bastille
Celebrate all weekend with a special two-course meal that’s designed to pair withthe young wine. Purchase a bottle of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, andyou’ll get a $29 menu with choices such as country pate with pickles and a baguette,steak frites, and coq au vin. The menu is available Thursday through Saturday.
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Central Michel Richard
Think you can identify where a pinot noir comes from? When you head into CentralMichel Richard from 5-10 p.m. on Thursday, not only can you get Domaine Dupeuble by the bottle or glass, you can test your palate with wine tasting games. They’ll also be offering 15% off all other wines from the Burgundy region, Parisian jazz, and a special menu with items like Cote de Boeufs with Beaujolais reduction and crème brulee French toast.
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Vinoteca Wine Bar & Bistro
Vinoteca switches things up a bit with a Beaujolais NO-veau celebration. Instead ofoffering tastes of the young wine, they’ll focus on two vintages from 2011, so youcan taste what Beaujolais Nouveau can become. Stop in on Thursday for $10 specials on two artisan Beaujolais wines, including a rare white one made with Chardonnay grapes.
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Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar
For an especially festive atmosphere, Bistrot Lepic & Wine Bar is hosting a tastingwith Hot Club of DC, a Gypsy jazz band. The tasting will be held in the wine barstarting at 6 p.m. on Thursday.
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Mon Ami Gabi
Can’t make it out Thursday? Mon Ami Gabi in Bethesda is offering a special menufrom November 15 at 5 p.m. until November 21 at 8 p.m. The menu offers dishes inspired by the wine, including oysters with Beaujolais mignonette, cream of garlic soup with cabbage, beans, and duck confit, and blackcurrant sorbet with red wine syrup.
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La Maison Française
The Alliance Française’s annual Friday night party is a big one, with light bitesfrom La Sandia, Zengo, and Zentan, plus French bread, cheese, pâté, and pastries.The Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais will flow freely, plus there will be a blind tastingcontest, trivia, and other activities.
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