Any day with a glass of Beaujolais in hand is a good day. Any day where that glass of Beaujolais supports a charitable cause is a great day. One of those great days was Sunday, September 16th, when the annual Taste of Williamsburg was held in New York’s north Brooklyn neighborhood. The best restaurants of Williamsburg and Greenpoint came together with Beaujolais wines to enjoy delicious food and drink for the eighth year, all while raising money for the Firehouse – North Brooklyn Community Center.
The charitable cause that the afternoon-long event supports was created nearly 10 years ago to renovate and operate Brooklyn’s former Engine Co. 212 Firehouse as a center for community activity and advocacy. It will act as a home to neighborhood social justice organizations and foster cultural engagement, all while preserving a historical site.
Taste of Williamsburg set up shop in East River State Park, the block party style event offering attendees views of the Manhattan skyline. While sharing sunglasses, tote bags, and t-shirts with enthusiastic guests, the Beaujolais Wines booth poured six different cuvées of Beaujolais AOC and Beaujolais Villages wines.
With a vast array of cuisines represented by north Brooklyn’s restaurants, guests had the opportunity to experience just how versatile Beaujolais wines are. American fare from the Meatball Shop and Freehold paired seamlessly with Beaujolais’ combination of fruit and earth, while the wines’ natural acidity balanced the spicy Mexican flavors of Calexico and Zona Rosa. Attendees could even experience unique pairings, like sushi or oysters with Beaujolais, one of the few red wines that can work well with raw fish.
Though Taste of Williamsburg had many excellent food options to choose from, they knew exactly which wine to turn to. With the wines of Beaujolais, Brooklyn residents had the opportunity to support a fantastic community cause – with glass in hand.