Wine Regions Of France

Wine Regions of France produce the template for premium wine production no matter where else in the world such wines are made.

France is not the largest producer of wines, in fact Italy has been the largest for a long time. With French wines it is about quality control and with the 'appellation controlee system' the wines reputation is protected.

Other countries are producing good wines and the Chardonnays, Cabernets, Sauvignons and the Pinots are made in many of the worlds vineyards. The fact that the grapes are in these vineyards indicates that the original model was of course French.

So for all of you who would like to know a little more about French wines and the wine regions of France I have included some information here so that you will understand them a little better. It can be quite confusing so I hope that this will be of some help to you although it is not everything!

Bordeaux

The grand chateaux of Bordeaux produce the finest clarets and sweet whites. The Bordeaux region lies in the Gironde départment.

Red Wines of Bordeaux sometimes called Clarets by the British, is the most popular image of France's best wine. You may see vintage bottles of Bordeaux wines at auctions.

Grapes:

Bordeaux White Wines - Dry and sweet wines - Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.

Loire

There are five wine regions of France in the Loire area and they have very different wines.

Pays Nantais:

The Muscadet is France's most exported wine. About fifty per cent of Muscadets have the words 'sur lié' on the label referring to a technique in the making of these wines. These are the better wines so look out for these on the labels.

Anjour:

Samur:

Touraine:

Upper Loire:

Sancerre, Menetou-salon and Reuilly:

Champagne

Champagne is the most northerly area of the wine regions of France and produces the finest of the sparkling wines.

There are also the Rosé or Pink Champagne, made by adding a little still local red wine to the White Champagne.

The Blanc de Blancs are champagne using only the chardonnay grape.

Blanc de Noirs is white champagne made from the black grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

Prestige Cuvée - These are usually a vintage wine, often aged longer than ordinary vintage wines.

Alsace

This area offers a blend of both German and French culture. Alsace shelters between the Vosges mountains and the river Rhine and it grows both French and German grapes.

Most wine regions of France are complicated to the novice but it is much easier to understand wines in this area as they are named after the grape varieties and not the villages or properties as in other regions of France.

Most of the Alsace wines are dry to medium dry white wines.

Gewurztraminer - a deeply coloured wine with a strong alcohol content which goes well with the regions patés and terrines.

Reisling - A racy wine good with fish dishes.

Pinot Gris - Aspicy, fruity (orange perhaps or buttery and honey.

Muscat - Refreshing with a musty spice.

Pinot Blanc- Creamy, slightly appley wine.

Sylvaner - A pungently almost cabbagey wine.

Auxerrois - A simple full textured wine.

Chasselas - Light neutral tasting wine.

Edelzwicker - The blend of any of the above grapes.

Pinot Noir - The only red grape in Alsace. A sharp, cherry fruit wine.

Burgundy

There are some passionate controversies as to whether Bordeaux or Burgundy have the finest wines. The annual production is far less than that of the Bourdeaux wines. Some examples of fine Burgundy wines are

Chablis:

Cote de Nuits:

Cote de Beaune:Grapes: Red - Pinot Noir; White - Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté

Maconnais:Grapes: Red - Pinot Noir, Gamay, César, Tressot; White - Chardonnay, Aligoté, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Sacy

Beaujolais: - Burgundys southern most wine region.Grapes: Red - Gamay; White - Chardonnay

Rhone

Northern Rhone:

Southern Rhone:

Provence

The Provence area is known for the pale Rosés.

Landuedoc - Roussillon

Grapes: Red - Carignan, Grenache, Cinsaut, Mourvedre, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec; White - Clairette, Rolle, Terret, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Muscat, Maccabéo, Marsanne, Viegnier, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay

Gascony and South West

These are small wine regions of France. They are the areas from Bordeaux down to the Spanish border. Very traditional vineyards where they are proud of their traditions.

This of course is home to such fine French feasts such as Foi Gras, magnificant pork, poultry and Toulouse sausages! Fatty yes, but with a glass of these fine reds you will be quite safe!

Grapes: Reds - The Bordeaux varieties plus local varieties. Rich in health giving properties, these fine reds will be most beneficial for a healthy diet - in moderation of course!

Jura, Savoi and Bugey

These small wine regions of France to the east of Burgundy are dominated by white wines.

Jura - Grapes: White - Savagnin, Chardonnay; Red - Trouseau, Poulsard, Pinot Noir

Savoi - Grapes: White - Jacuere, Roussette, Malette, Rousanne, Chasselas, Chardonnay; Red - Mondeuse, Gamay, Pinot Noir