Understanding French wine can be daunting, especially when you start to delve deeper into the mix of regions, grape varieties, complex laws and labels that make up the country’s wine industry. To help you on your way, we’ve put together a short guide to French wine so you can get an idea for the types of wine that you can expect from each region.
Bordeaux, on the west coast of France, produces some of the most expensive and prestigious wines available in the wine world. The region is most famous from producing fine, classic reds, mostly made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. However, it also produces Sauternes, a sweet dessert wine and full-bodied white wines from the Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle grapes.
Burgundy is another French wine region of France producing exceptionally high quality wines, often with prices to match. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the key grapes grown in these regions. The style of Chardonnay can vary considerably from very clean crisp wines from Chablis in northern Burgundy to oaked, buttery versions from the areas around Côtes de Beaune in the south of the region. Similarly, Pinot Noir can vary from full bodied versions from Northern Burgundy to lighter versions from the south of this French wine region. If you are looking to splash out, then a Grand Cru wine like Gevrey-Chambertain might be your thing, while the Côtes de Nuits Villages will suit Pinot Noir fans on a budget. The region at the very south of Burgundy is called Beaujolais and here you will find light, fruity, easy-drinking red wines at all qualities and prices.
google_ad_channel = "7940249670, " + AB_cat_channel + AB_unit_channel;
google_language = "en";
google_ad_region = 'test';
Louise Truswell works in the wine industry. She has been writing about wine for couple of years and likes writing about French wine. For more detail, visit www.virginwines.com
