Sometimes the wine events in these parts can be a bit?shall we say? ?highbrow.? But, the Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is all about fun. Nobody pretends that Beaujolais Nouveau is a serious wine. You don?t have to know what ?terroir? or ?ascescence? or ?rancio? mean in order to partake in the festivities. In fact, you don?t even have to sip this wine. You can actually drink it.

But, along with being able to let loose and just drink the stuff, the best part of the Beaujolais Nouveau celebration is knowing that, on the third weekend in November, the party is taking place in homes, restaurants, bistros and bars all over the world.


French law prohibits Beaujolais Nouveau to be released before the stroke of midnight on the third Thursday of November. As a result, getting the wine to its destination on time has become a fun-filled race and quite a spectacle. Bottles of it have been delivered on the Concord, by horse-drawn carriages and elephants, by bicycles and hot air balloons. Sure, it?s a lot of hype. But, it?s fun. And the place to go in Sonoma County to celebrate the first wine of the season is Paradise Ridge Winery in Santa Rosa. The annual event is organized by the Alliance Française de Santa Rosa,

Details for the 2006 Beaujolais Nouveau celebration:

The French-themed festivities include food by La Gare restaurant, cheese tasting, and a French singer, not to mention the gorgeous views at Paradise Ridge Winery. Special guest is newspaper columnist and radio personality Michele Anna Jordan. 4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive, 6 ? 9 p.m. Tickets are $25 for Alliance members, $30 non-members, if ordered before Nov.

13; or $35 and 40 at the door. Send checks to AFSR, 613 Fourth Street, Suite 200, Santa Rosa, CA 95404; (707) 829-7708.