Why is the wine called Beaujolais Nouveau and not Nouveau Beaujolais?

PowderC1Kwiziq community member

Why is the wine called Beaujolais Nouveau and not Nouveau Beaujolais?

I presume there is some simple reason but it would seem that nouveau would normally go first?

Asked 3 years ago
MaartenC1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Beaujolais Nouveau is a product name - specific for a wine from the controlled wine region of Beaujolais and 'treated' in a specific approved manner to be released for very early drinking after harvest. The phrase «un vin nouveau» signifies (technically) that it is not just a new wine, but one that has been developed for early post-harvest drinking . An alternative term being «un vin de primeur». Beaujolais Nouveau has been marketed widely and is the best known «primeur» but is far from the only one in France. Larousse has a good list of (very important) French wine terms !

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/vin/82012/locution?q=primeur#177186

Why is the wine called Beaujolais Nouveau and not Nouveau Beaujolais?

I presume there is some simple reason but it would seem that nouveau would normally go first?

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