French Fine Wine is considered by many to be the finest wine available. Currently, the annual production of French wine is 7–8 billion bottles. Hence, France is one of the largest wine producers in the world. French wine traces its history to the 6th century BC, with many of France’s regions dating their wine-making history to Roman times as early as the 8th century BC. So, the wines produced range from expensive wines sold internationally to modest wines usually only seen within France. The following will briefly explore Fine Wine in general and then specifically French Fine Wine.
Old World Wine Producers
The terms Old World and New World as it pertains to wine are specific to the region the wine comes from. Consequently, Old World wine countries include France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Lebanon, Israel, Croatia, Georgia, Romania, Hungary, and Switzerland. Because these wine-producing countries can trace their wine production back prior to or during the Roman empire. These are the ancient producers of wine. Old World wines are described as tasting lighter, having a higher acidity, less alcohol, and tasting less fruity than New World wines. Also, the Old-World regions have rules and regulations that dictate winemaking practices which ultimately decides a wine’s taste and style. For example, only certain grapes are allowed to be used in certain regions, by law.
Old World Regional Rules
The name of an Old-World wine is based on region. The wine takes on the name of the Place where it was made. For example, a wine made from the grape Merlot in the Bordeaux region of France is called Bordeaux, not Merlot. Wines made in the Old World must adhere to strict regulations as well as traditions. Centuries of regional wine production in a specific way to keep its traditions. Wines from Old World wineries tend to be leaner, with more acidity and tannins.
New World Wine Producers
In the New World wine tradition, the wine takes on the name of the Grape that the wine is made from. For example, a wine from the grape Malbec in Mendoza, Argentina is Malbec, not Mendoza. Winemakers have the freedom to be more experimental and also try new things in the New World wineries. Strict traditions and regulations do not govern winemaking as much as in the Old-World wines. This allows winemakers to experiment more, as well as, use much more technology in the winemaking process. Therefore, the New World wines tend to be richer, with bolder fruit flavors and a more “polished” taste. New world wine countries include The United States, Australia, South Africa, Chile, Argentina, New Zealand, as well as the newly emerging wine producer, China. These New World wines taste riper with less acidity, higher alcohol content, and tasting fruitier.
Now that we know the differences between Old and New World Wines, let’s take a tour of France Fine Wines. The finest of the Old-World Fine Wine Producers.
French Fine Wine
Alsace Region
Alsace produces excellent dry and sweet white French Fine wines. The grapes used are only used in this region of France and are also typical of those grown only in Alsace and nowhere else. The grape varieties used are Gewurztraminer, Sylvaner, Pinot Blanc, and Riesling. The foods they enjoy with the wine from this region is a traditional choucroute, which means sauerkraut in French, but they also drink these fine wines with various cuts of pork, including bacon and with cabbage, onions, and pastries with cream.
Bordeaux Region
Bordeaux is probably the most well-known wine region in France. The Bordeaux region also produces about one-third of the best quality, French wine. The wines are so good there that a Bordeaux ranking is needed to classify the best of the best. Some of these fine wines include Margaux, Yquem, Pétrus, Cheval Blanc, Haut Brion, and also many others. Bordeaux has about 7,000 chateaux that produce wine in this region. The red grapes used in this region include Merlot (50% of Bordeaux vineyards) Cabernet Sauvignon (26%) Cabernet Franc (10%). The white grapes used are Sémillon (8% of Bordeaux wines) Sauvignon (4%). The foods they enjoy with these wines are oysters, lamb, as well as, duck with mushrooms.
Burgundy Region
The Burgundy region begins about 62 miles south from Paris and spreads its way down to Lyon. Hence, the entire region is about 225 miles long. Burgundy is also a region with various districts including Chablis, Côte de Nuits, and Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, Mâconnais, and Beaujolais. Burgundy wines are a subtle velvety red wine or a sensual white wine. These wonderful wines are from the following red grapes Pinot Noir. The white wines are from Chardonnay grapes. This region enjoys these fine red wines with wild game, and red meat, and also the white wines with grilled fish, and oysters.
Champagne Region
The Champagne region is one of the most well-known French Fine Wines in the world because it is a sparkling wine used on special occasions. Hence, the world-renowned Champagne is a festive wine. The champagne region is located in the North East area of France. There are roughly 3 different areas in the Champagne wine region including Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and also the Marne Valley. The grapes used to make champagne wine are Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, and also Pinot Noir. The people of this region enjoy this wine with oysters, caviar, foie gras (goose or duck liver), as well as smoked salmon.
Languedoc-Roussillon Region
The Languedoc-Roussillon region includes the area on the border of the Mediterranean Sea between Rhône and Camargue to the border of Spain and the Pyrénées mountains. Consequently, it’s one of the largest expanses of vineyards in the world. This region also has a long history of winemaking and has a wonderful sunny climate. This explains why wine is so important in Languedoc-Roussillon. This region produces mainly red wines, like Vin de Pays. So, It’s perfect as everyday wines. The grapes used in this region include Carignan, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Merlot, and also Cabernet Sauvignon. These fine red wines are consumed with grilled red meat, Paté, sausages, salami, and roasted turkey. The Rosé wines produced in this region are enjoyed with salads, onion tarts, and also omelets.
Loire Region
The Loire Valley is famous for its white wines. Hence, the main grape varieties used are Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon. About 75% of the wine production in this region is white wines. The Loire region also has some red wines. They are also fruity and pleasant, much like New World wines. The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful wine regions in France as well as in the world. This region enjoys its wines with shellfish, fish, or as an aperitif (drink used to stimulate appetite).
Provence Region
Provence uses a large variety of grapes to increase the sumptuousness of their wine. Consequently, Rosé is a specialty of this region. According to Terrior France, this wine is gorgeous, fruity and with a glistening robe. Whatever that means. This region’s white wine is rather dry and sometimes sparkling. The grapes used for the red wines are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, and Carignan Grapes. But the white grapes used are Ugni Blanc, Rolle, Clairette, and Grenache Blanc. These full-body red wines go well with wild game and roasted red meat. While the white wines go perfectly with seafood from the nearby Mediterranean.
Rhône Region
The Rhône region boasts 10 different wines and is also probably the most diverse wine-producing region in France. This region has the full-body red wines of Côte Rôtie in the north. Also, the Châteauneuf du Pape in the south and the exquisite white wine of Condrieu and Château Grillet. They also produce fruity red wines of Crozes-Hermitage and southern Rhône region which would be similar to New World fine wines. The red grapes used are primarily Grenache. The white grapes used are Clairette. These fine and fruity red wines are enjoyed with roasted red meat, beefsteak, grilled white meat, and also wild game. The full-body white wine is great with grilled fish.
South-West Region
French Fine Wines from the South-West have often confused with Bordeaux wines. But Bordeaux is a little north of this region. In the past, many have also praised wines from South-West, and other times wine from this region has not been praised. But according to Terrior France, today wines from the South-West region are of excellent quality for the value. They recommend them because of their unique personalities, local history, and traditions. The grapes used for this region’s red wines are Cabernet, Merlot, and Tannat. But the white grapes used are Sémillon, Sauvignon, and Ugni Blanc. These red wines are enjoyed with cassoulet (meaty casserole), and also, roasted duck. The dry white wine of this region is excellent with fish, white meat, Foie gras, or as an Aperitif.
I hope you enjoyed this tour of France and their excellent French Fine Wines. Full of Old-World history, tradition and delicious tastes.
References
Teeter, A. (2016, June 3). Explaining Old World Wines Versus New World Wines [MAP].
Terrior France. (n.d.). French Wine Guide.
Wine Folly. (2018, May 22). Real Differences: New World vs Old World Wine.
