nouveau; pl nouveaux [noo-VOH]
French for “new” that, when applied to wine, refers to one that is very young. Because of the influence of France’s Beaujolais nouveau wines, this word has taken on a meaning relating to this particular wine’s style—light, fruity, youthful, and lacking aging potential. These nouveau wines are almost always released shortly after harvest. Many of them are made using carbonic maceration, a fermentation technique designed to enhance their intensely fruity yet light-bodied (see body) characteristics. The term nouveau is also used in the United States. Italians call this style of wine novello or vino novello.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.