Beaujolais Day is Coming -- Dinner at L'ex

I have such mixed feelings about Beaujolais Nouveau. I love the idea of Beaujolais day -- a wine holiday for newbies and experts alike celebrating the release of this fruity "new" wine. For me, the day and the wine signify the beginnings of the holiday season. But at some point, maybe as Beaujolais Day became more popular in the US, maybe as prices shot up on what is often really *awful* and increasingly expensive wine, maybe as my palatte has become happier with better priced, better value Burgs, CdPs, Rhones and gamay, whatever the reason, I find it very hard to get behind the BN hype. Still, I miss the celebration! The commraderie! The joie de' vivre! This year, Neal Brown at L'explorateur hits a perfect compromise for those of us wine lovers who love the idea of BN Day and, well, good wine. He's taking his annual celebration one step further turning it into dinner with a splash of Nouveau, and a few more interesting Burgundys (and a Cru Beaujolais!) for the season. (Bonus: Stinky Burgundian cheese.)

Reception
Domaine Dupeuble Beaujolais Nouveau 2008

First: Salad of Raw Salmon Apple Fennel Caramel-Miso Sea Salt
William Fevre Chablis Champs Royaux 2006

Second: Burgundy Snail and Pear Ravioli Chanterelle Goat Cheese
Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet 2006

Third: Pork Belly Confit with Duck Fat mashed potatoes beet glace
Folliard Morgon Cru Beaujolais 2004

Fourth: Beef Bourgognon Moderne
Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay Champans 2002

Fifth: Epoisses de Bourgogne et Accroutrements
Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos de Mouche Rouge 2005

Thursday, November 20
6:00 p.m. at L'Explorateur
$95 per person (plus tax and tip)
Call 317.726.6906 for reservations