Treat for Auckland wine drinkers

Jean-Christophe Poizat from Maison Vauron enjoys a glass of wine from the world famous Beaujolais region in France. Photo / Greg Bowker

Dozens of cases of a special red wine are being distributed in Auckland this morning as the race to bring wine lovers the world's first 2009 French vintage begins.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day - when wine grown from the Beaujolais region in France is released - is celebrated every year on the third Thursday of November, under strict conditions.

Under French law, the wine is not allowed to be sold or opened until today and, because of New Zealand's geographic location, wine lovers here are among the first to sample it.

The rush to get the wine to market began about 40 years ago with the profit-boosting idea of selling the wine soon after harvest, and a race to Paris with bottles of the new vintage began. Interest in the race spread worldwide.

International wine specialist Liz Wheadon of Glengarry said Beaujolais Nouveau Day was steeped in tradition.

The Gamay grapes for the wines had to be harvested by hand.

"Internationally, it's very big deal," she said.

"In the wine world, it's very important."

Jean-Christophe Poizat from French wine importer and distributor Maison Vauron, is today distributing 120 cases of the wine to bars and restaurants throughout the country.

Mr Poizat said importing the wine involved signing a contract agreeing not to release the wine before today.

"It's very weird but that's the way it's got to be done." The wine was enjoyed very young and was light and easy-going - "full of freshness and fruitiness".

"It's not a great wine, but it's a fun wine," he said.

"It's an occasion."