The 2009 Beaujolais Noveau celebration

The 2009 Beaujolais Noveau celebration brought out fans of French wine, food and culture Thursday evening at the French Embassy on Reservoir Road.

The celebration is in accordance with the wine growers' tradition of this region of France. Beaujolais Noveau is a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region. Guests at the event enjoyed free-flowing Beaujolais Noveau in addition to other types of wines, a buffet "campagnard (or country buffet) and French pastries. Live music also added to the evening.

An addition to this year's celebration was a raffle and silent auction of French art.

— Report and photographs by Kate Oczypok

Jean Marcgaultier, president of the French Chamber of Commerce, Xavier Folch, Stephanie Rodriguez, Nina Emalvy, who works for the Agence France Presse, Claire Folch, Vincent Emalvy, who works for the Agence France Presse and Fabris Rodriguez

Cate Morrow and Rich Geiger

Ilias El Ghorli and Marla Moffet

Andrew and Shalene Starr

Tania Taylor and Mikol Neilson

Patti Cornell, Lisa Coward, Leslie Evanisko, Scott Bartlett, Chantel Bartlett, Janet Watts and Joel Muse

Lindsey Auchter, sous chef at the Canadian Embassy and Merril Ridgway

Oliver Bouilhac and Laurent Abba, wine growers of the Berticot region of France