Young’s sends wine-laden Mini around London to mark Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Pub group Young’s will mark the release of this year’s Beaujolais Nouveau on Thursday 19^th November by sending a classic red Mini around central London to hand out free glasses of the new vintage while stocks last. The idea draws on the Beaujolais run, in which British wine enthusiasts raced across France more than 50 years ago to bring home the year’s first bottles. Young’s is running the event with smallcarBIGCITY, which operates tours of the capital in classic Minis. The car will carry a boot full of Beaujolais Nouveau past a number of well-known landmarks, giving passers-by the chance to try the wine on the day of its release.

The Mini will set off from The Mitre at Lancaster Gate and travel through central London. It will stop at pubs including Walkers of Whitehall and Daly’s Wine Bar and Beer Hall on the Strand before finishing at The Lamb in Bloomsbury, where a party will be held to celebrate the new vintage. 

Elsewhere, several Young’s pubs will also host French-themed food and music events for the day. At The Coach & Horses on Kew Green, guests can book an evening of wine, cheese and live jazz from 7pm to 11pm. Tickets cost £20 per person and include half a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau and a cheese board, with live music from the pub’s keyboardist.

The Phene in Chelsea is holding a four-course supper club from 7pm, themed around the 80s, when Beaujolais parties were at their most popular. The menu begins with a glass of Buck’s Fizz and retro canapés such as ham and pineapple skewers and devilled eggs. A prawn cocktail starter follows, then Steak Diane with hand-cut chips and green leaf salad, and Black Forest Gâteau to finish. Each guest receives half a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau, and tickets cost £69 per person.

In Surrey, the Teller’s Arms on Castle Street in Farnham will start early, serving the new wine alongside a pub breakfast from 8am to midday. 

Beaujolais Nouveau menus will also be available at 26 participating Young’s pubs, mostly in London,with others further afield including The Tivoli in Cambridge, the Pontcanna Inn in Cardiff, The Georgian Townhouse in Norwich, the Hoste Arms in Burnham Market and The Mitre in Shaftesbury.

Food Desk

The Beaujolais Nouveau programme takes place on Thursday 19^th November 2026 at participating Young’s pubs across the UK. For further information or to book a table, visit the group’s website here.

For further information about smallcarBIGCITY, visit the company’s website here.