Cheers

Cheers

The Beverage Business Magazine for Full-Service Restaurants and Bars

  • Beverage Trends
    • Beer
    • Wine
    • Spirits
    • Wine Reviews
    • Marketing
    • Operations
  • Recipes
    • What I’m Drinking Now
    • Submit a Drink Recipe
  • Resources
    • eRNDC Login
    • SG Proof Login
    • CORE: Children of Restaurant Employees
  • Events & Awards
    • Cheers Beverage Summit
    • Growth Brands
    • BevX Awards
    • Supplier Awards
  • Podcasts
  • E-News
    • E-News Subscribe
  • Digital Issues
  • Cheers@Home

Legendary Beaujolais Winemaker Georges Duboeuf Dies at 86

01/06/2020

by: Melissa Dowling

Georges Duboeuf, the influential winemaker behind the Beaujolais Nouveau movement, passed away from a stroke on Saturday at the age of 86.

Duboeuf first launched Nouveau commercially in Europe in 1974. Made from gamay grapes in the French Beaujolais region, Nouveau is bottled six-to-eight weeks after harvest. This young wine is known for being fresh, fruity and low in tannins. By law, Beaujolais Nouveau cannot roll out for purchase until 12:01 a.m. on the third Thursday of November, which Duboeuf helped turn into a global day of celebration.

In 1983, Duboeuf brought Beaujolais Nouveau Day into the U.S for the first time. With savvy marketing and a love for wine, Duboeuf continued to grow this tradition into the worldwide phenomenon that it is today.

“France and the wine industry lost one of their most passionate advocates with the passing of Georges Duboeuf,” says his son Franck Duboeuf, and the Duboeuf family, in a press release. “The Duboeuf family mourns this loss, but is greatly comforted by the outpouring of sympathy and condolences from colleagues and fans of wine all over the world. During his 86 years with us, he brought much personal joy and inspiration to our lives as well as to those he touched throughout his career. We loved him and will continue to honor his legacy personally, and through the wines he nurtured and loved, for many years to come.”

Born in 1933 in the small town of Chaintré, Duboeuf first began selling wines at age 18, riding his bike to area restaurants. As a merchant he was known for a discerning palate, and bottling wines himself, which helped him raise winemaking standards across the region as he worked with the many vineyards.

His company, Les Vins Georges Duboeuf, now works with more than 300 vineyards in producing 2.5 million bottles annually.

Advertisement

Duboeuf retired in 2016, and was succeeded by his son Franck. Duboeuf’s grandson and Franck’s son, Aurelian, recently produced his first wine for the family company.

A religious funeral is scheduled at the church of Romanèche-Thorins, France, on Thurs., Jan. 9, at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers or other material tributes to honor, Duboeuf’s family suggests donations in his name to La Fondation Alzheimer, or the association, “Docteur Clown,” a charity that “brings cheer” to children in local Lyon hospitals via clowns.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)

Last modified: 01/15/2020

Previous Story:
How a Craft Distillery Captured the Flavor of Texas
Next Story:
Diageo Invests in Non-Alcoholic Alcohol Brand Ritual Zero Proof

About the Author: Melissa Dowling

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Follow Us

Facebook
Twitter

In The News

  • Podcast: Discussing Distilling with Sazerac’s Danny Kahn
  • Firebirds Bought By Investment Firm
  • World’s Longest Bar Opens in Tennessee
  • White Claw Launches Vodka Line
  • Pernod Ricard Buying Skrewball
  • Lux Row Introduces Rebel 100 Rye Whiskey
More News >>

Featured Drink

  • Off Beat
    Off Beat cocktail form Bar Bastion in New York

Drink Recipes

  • Cherry Blossom Cocktail Ideas
  • Off Beat
  • 10 Spring Cocktails For 2023
  • Cottontail Daiquiri
  • Unique Irish Coffee Experiences

Current Issue

Cheers Current Issue

Cheers Magazine

  • About Cheers
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Market Research

Events & Awards

  • Beverage Excellence Awards
  • Cheers Beverage Summit
  • Growth Brands Awards

Magazines

  • Cheers
  • Beverage Dynamics
  • StateWays
  • Beverage Wholesaler
  • Beverage Handbooks (research)

E-Newsletters

  • Better Bartending
  • Cheers
  • Beverage Dynamics
  • StateWays
  • Beverage Wholesaler
  • Beverage Universe
  • Cannabis Regulator
  • About EPG Brand Acceleration
  • Send File
  • Privacy Policy
© Cheers Magazine. All rights reserved.