Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in the bars, cafes and bistros of the region. Each autumn, the new wine would arrive to much fanfare, served in pitchers filled from the growers’ barrels to be eagerly lapped up by a waiting public. Today, worldwide sales of this wine are now more than 70 million bottles and half the fun is knowing that on one and same night, the whole world will be celebrating with the same wine.

“Following the success InterContinental Malta has had with this the celebration of Beaujolais Nouveau over the past two years, we will once again be organising a week’s experience of French specialities imported directly from France,” said general manager Christophe Laure. “We have invited Pascal Birzat, Chevalier de Beaujolais and a master sommelier of the very highest recognition, who will introduce guests to the delights of this pleasant new wine as well as a vast selection of mature Beaujolais and French wines” he said. In collaboration with Cleland & Souchet, InterContinental Malta will be serving Jean Lafitte Beaujolais Nouveau throughout the week.

A team of French chefs, including InterContinental Malta’s executive chef Max Grenard and chef Christian Schirmann, who is coming to Malta for the occasion, have created a special French Bistro menu that will be served at Soprano from 17 to 25 November. Chef Christian will be preparing some fantastic dishes from the Beaujolais region and there will also be a range of Burgundian specialities including chicken liver gateaux served with crayfish as an entrée, lamb fillet stuffed with herbs and served with gratinated potatoes with cep as a main course and to finish off, the traditional tarte tatin, with vanilla ice cream and syrup of Jean Lafitte.

Beaujolais Nouveau will also be available with specially designed menus featuring the cuisine of this region at Eastern Breeze, Paranga and Carissa 7 and Beaujolais stations and platters at Harruba and Lobby Bar respectively. For reservations, which are recommended, call Inter-Continental Malta on 2137-7600. The local agent for Jean Lafitte is Cleland & Souchet in St Julian’s.