What’s so special about the third Thursday in November? A big fat nothing, you may be thinking to yourself. Well, cheer up: For fans of wine and parties, it marks the release of the annual batch of beaujolais nouveau, a young, easy-drinking French red wine.

For both wine connoisseurs and revelers alike, the Thursday before Thanksgiving has taken on a heightened significance in the United States over the past several years: the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine from the Burgundy region of France. The very young red wine is made from the gamay grape and aged less than a year before its cork is pulled, which, by law, cannot occur until the third Thursday in November. (Note: Not…

Good morning, Washington. The city is still reeling from the news that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has indicted two employees from the District’s Office of Tax and Revenue on charges of embezzling over $16 million. It’s a staggering sum, and the Post cites officials who are calling it the largest theft ever uncovered in local government in the Washington area. The two women, Harriette Walters and Diane Gustus, are said to have used the money…

Jagshemash! Borat is a hit. It’s grossing millions and definitely the most quotable thing we’ve seen in ages. But Borat himself seems to have missed most of the -ist cities, and we were all wondering how the film would have been different if he’d made his way around the world on the -ist tour. In Shanghai, Borat would be observing Inane Learnings of Penis Photos for Make Benefit Glorious Flat World of Handmade Toy…

By now you’ve probably seen the signs: Le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé! In practical terms, this translates into “Free booze at midnight!” Between the anticipation of this year’s batch and the excitement about tonight’s uncorking parties, it’s understandable if you haven’t considered what you’re going to wear. But to prevent tonight’s raucous revelry from becoming tomorrow’s dry cleaning disaster, check out our tips for dressing to swill. Oui: Dark colors and washable fabrics Non: Anything…

Each year while we were in grad school, when the third Thursday in November rolled around, our bumbling classmate honed in on the class’ most desirable woman and asked her out for a drink. His clockwork ballsiness didn’t earn him attention so much as the method he used. “Would you like to join me at the bar across the street,” he paused and lowered his voice, “to taste the new Beaujolais Nouveau?” After shrugging off…

It’s that time of year again. Expect sidewalks on Pennsylvania and Connecticut avenues to be crowded as midnight approaches. Brasserie Les Halles and Bistrot du Coin will be celebrating Beaujolais Nouveau, that light red wine that only ages for a few weeks. As French law dictates, new wine cannot be served until the third Thursday in November. The result, of course, is a lot of drinking and many stained teeth at midnight Wednesday. Les Halles…