Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day at "Taste of France" in Grand Boulevard

Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day 2012 with a certain je ne se quoi as French Beaujolais winemaker and long-time arts supporter Georges Duboeuf brings “A Taste of France” to Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, Thursday, November 15, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  Beaujolais fans will enjoy an alfresco-style “Taste of France” featuring French-inspired cuisine, Cru tasting and Champagnes.  Unique to this event is a live art competition.

Sponsored by My Vacation Haven and co-presented by The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation and Grand Boulevard, the tasting and walkabout will feature top chefs from the Destin and 30A area preparing a French-inspired menu to pair with the Crus from Georges Duboeuf, the best selling brand of Beaujolais in the United States.

While enjoying wine and food tastings, guests can watch artist teams comprised of participating restaurants compete in a live art competition, vying for the coveted “People’s Choice Award” voted on by attendees of the event. Once the winner is announced, the art will be auctioned off with proceeds of the sales benefiting The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, established in 1995 to enrich local cultural programs through literary, performing and visual arts.

The team from Cuvee Bistro celebrates winning the live art competition held during last year's Beaujolais Nouveau wine and food tasting event in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin. They named their winning graffiti art piece, "Let Freedom Drink."

For all Americans, November is an exciting month filled with festivities, Thanksgiving and, above all else, wine: it is now an established tradition to celebrate the arrival and official uncorking of the Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of this month. Each year, for the past 30 years, celebrations have taken place to bring to life each vintage. In 2012, Georges Duboeuf will celebrate “Thirty Years of Magic” and to honor the occasion, the theme will be Nouveau Magic.

The George Duboeuf team stands ready to pour at last year's Beaujolais Nouveau celebration in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin

Tickets are $45 per person or groups of 10 or more are available at $40 per ticket.  Tickets are now on sale online at www.MattieKellyArtsFoundation.org/tickets.htm.