The wine Japanese people swim in (Photo: Reuters):

Beaujolais Noveau – unlike the typical red winemaking process which can take many months or years (including barrel ageing), this wine is marketed within 8 weeks of harvest. It is made using the carbonic maceration technique whereby grapes are fermented whole (instead of the typical winemaking process which involves crushing and pressing the grapes to obtain tannins and colour from the grape skins). The carbonic maceration process ensures maximum fruity flavour extraction while leaving out the tannins.

Nice fruity nose, light and refreshing taste for those who don’t like the tannins in red wine. Especially popular with women, but criticized by wine snobs as “simple” and “immature”.

The above bottle is now available on sale at Jasons Marketplace at just $19.95 (UP $32.95), because it is going out of season real soon since this wine style is meant to be consumed very young.

Verdict: I think it tastes really like fruit punch, except for the alcohol of course – fruity, with aromas of banana, bubblegum and fresh berries. Nice for a change, but to me it’s like a soft drink that one would get sick of after a few glasses.