|
Wine Expert >
Wine Regions >
Wine Areas
France
Where a grape is grown has as much to do with how the wine tastes.
Each country has its own unique style. You might be surprised by how
these grapes turns out to be the best tasting wine in the world.
The wines of France
France is one of the most important winemaking countries,
producing more than any other in the world. Its huge diversity in
quality and styles of wine they produced makes them special.
The reason for such diversity has to do with the geography of France
itself. To enjoy the pleasures of French wine, it is better for you to
know the different regions of France and what kinds of wines are
produced there.
Burgundy
- Burgundy is one of the most famous wine areas in France - but
it's also one of the smallest. Quality has waxed and waned over the
years but at the moment it is excellent.
- Burgundy can be red or white; it can even be sparkling.
The region starts in the north with Chablis, which makes white wines
of a crisp, minerally, dry style. Further south is the Cote d'Or, a
narrow strip of hillside that makes red and white wines of extremely
high quality.
Whites and Sparkles
- Some of the best known white wines from this region include
Corton-Charlemagne, Meursault and le Montrachet. Both red and white
burgundies age well in the bottle. Burgundy also produces sparkling
wine, it can be inexpensive substitute for expensive Champagne.
Bordeaux
- Is an enormous region in south-west France, turning out huge
quantities of red, dry white and sweet white wine every year. It's
important to remember that vintages do make a difference in
Bordeaux: it is a cool, wet region and not every year is good.
- The finest dry white wines of Bordeaux come from Graves
region. They are rich, weighty and can be expensive.
- Sauternes and Barsac produce the best sweet whites though less
famous regions like Cerons and Loupiac also make similar flavours.
Vintages matter less for dry whites than for reds. Drink the
youngest.
Champagne
- As we all know, champagne is one of the world's coolest wine
region. It's up in the north of France, where the wind whistles
across the open hills, and in most years the grapes barely ripen.
The Rhone and the South of France
- The Rhone is one of the world's great wine rivers. But the wines
for which it is most famous come from south Lyon, where the river
enters its home straight. Nearly all the wines of the northern Rhone
Valley are red, and made from the Syrah grape.
Provence
- Provence is a region famous for its scenic vistas and easy way of
life, offers its good quality wines. Bandol, one of the best reds, is
definitely worth trying. It's a big and gutsy red, full of character,
body and flavour.
Top Wine Makers in France:
- Of course, France is known for its expensive wines, but the
country also boasts many inexpensive and mid-priced wines that win
raves too.
- Jean Balmont Chardonnay is a delicious white wine, while Petit
Bistro Cabernet Sauvignon makes a wonderful red. B&G
- Pinot Noir and Petit Bistro Syrah are other great choices from
France.
Other Wine Regions
|
