Zeus News: Special Wednesday Edition

A special Wednesday edition of Zeus News to remind you of two fantastic mid-week events!

Book Signing by Tim Baker

On Wednesday, November 17, Tim Baker will be hosting a book signing from 6-9pm complete with hors d'oeuvres, wine, & live music. Tickets, which include your signed copy of Water Hazard, are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. For more info contact dana@letthinkdry.com or tbaker@blinddogbooks.com. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit Christmas Come True.

Visit www.blinddogbooks.com and www.christmascometrue.org

What The Heck Is Beaujolais Nouveau?

Beaujolais Nouveau Night 2010 is almost here! We have been talking about it for months, which may lead the uninitiated to pose the question "What The Heck Is Beaujolais Nouveau?" The short story? Beaujolais Nouveau Night is a Golden Lion tradition of over 15 years. We join the worldwide party on the third Thursday of November every year. For almost as long, the entertainment has been provided by the incomparable Will Pearsall. Join us next Thursday for a great party with great food!

The long story? At one past midnight on the third Thursday of each November, from little villages and towns like Romanèche-Thorins, over a million cases of Beaujolais Nouveau begin their journey through a sleeping France to Paris for immediate shipment to all parts of the world. Banners proclaim the good news: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! "The New Beaujolais has arrived!" One of the most frivolous and animated rituals in the wine world has begun.

By the time it is over, over 65 million bottles, nearly half of the region's total annual production, will be distributed and drunk around the world. It has become a worldwide race to be the first to serve to this new wine of the harvest. In doing so, it has been carried by motorcycle, balloon, truck, helicopter, Concorde jet, elephant, runners and rickshaws to get it to its final destination. It is amazing to realize that just weeks before this wine was a cluster of grapes in a growers vineyard. But by an expeditious harvest, a rapid fermentation, and a speedy bottling, all is ready at the midnight hour. By French law, Beaujolais Nouveau is to be released no earlier than the third Thursday of November.

Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in the local bars, cafes, and bistros of Beaujolais and Lyons. Each fall the new Beaujolais would arrive with much fanfare. In pitchers filled from the growers barrels, wine was drunk by an eager population. It was wine made fast to drink while the better Beaujolais was taking a more leisurely course.

Beaujolais Nouveau is as about as close to white wine as a red wine can get. Due to the way it is made -the must is pressed early after only three days- the phenolic compounds, in particular the astringent tannins, normally found in red wines, isn't there, leaving an easy to drink, fruity wine. This, coupled with the fact that it tastes best when chilled, makes for a festive wine to be gulped rather than sipped, enjoyed in high spirits rather than critiqued. As a side note, it makes a great transitional wine for anyone wanting to move from white to red wines.

The race from grape to glass may be silly, but half the fun is knowing that on the same night, in homes, restaurants,cafes, pubs, bars and bistros around the world, the same celebration is taking place.

Join us Thursday night for a glass of wine, or enjoy a four-course meal planned especially for the night! Call 386.439.3004 for more info! Not near us? Visit duboeufnouveau.com for info about celebrations in your city!

In other news, we have a great weekend of fun! Live music from Joe & Donny, Captain Nick, and Ron & Pat. Phlockings, birthday parties, limbo contests, or full moon dancing. Something for everyone!

Looking for a great spot to host your meeting or group? The Golden Lion is a family-friendly venue right on the beach. We will create a custom menu for you, or check out our catering menu online at http://goldenlioncafe.com/catering.html. Email us at info@goldenlioncafe.com or phone us at 439-3004.

Dem Say it is the way to go, so Zeus has gone web 2.0!!! Zeus has had a page on myspace for a while, but has recently expanded his reach. Visit the Golden Lion on facebook, myspace, and twitter! Are you a fan of blogs? Subscribe to Zeus News to get the inside scoop!

Celebrating our 19th year as Flagler's Most Awarded Restaurant