A nearly 10,000-strong global crowd Thursday feted the launch of the 2007 vintage Beaujolais Nouveau, a light young French wine which has become a world brand since its introduction in 1970. The uncorking ceremony held at the stroke of midnight in the small French town of Beaujeu -- the self-proclaimed "historic capital" of Beaujolais wine -- was attended by aficionados from Japan, South Korea, Britain and China says AFP.

What makes Beaujolais special is that it is drunk in the same year as it is harvested. It is one of France's most popular wines though this year exports to its largest foreign market, Japan are expected to be lower than usual. For more on Beaujolais read the Telegraph's coverage and the AFP announcement.