The culture of winemaking was imposed on the French by the Romans in the 500th century BC. With fire and sword, they forced the recalcitrant Gauls to plant a vine. After XNUMX years, the same Romans destroyed all the vineyards of Gaul, which became a threat to imperial trade. But the love of local residents for a noble drink could no longer be eradicated, they started over. In our time, the wines of France are considered a model to which the masters of other countries are equal.
Winemaking in France in numbers:
- annual production – 7-8 billion bottles (the largest producer in the world);
- total vineyard area – 836 hectares (second place after Spain);
- share in the world wine market – 17,6% (first place);
- industry income – 18 billion euros (for 2009);
- the number of jobs – 120 thousand.
To understand French wines, you need to understand the meaning of the terms “Terroir”, “Appellation” and “Château”.
Терруар (land) is a combination of soil and climatic factors that determine the taste and quality of wine. The terroir includes: the type and geological component of the soil of the vineyard, the microclimate (abundance of rain, wind strength, temperature changes, number of sunny days), altitude, steepness of the plot. There can be several terroirs in one wine-growing region, in such cases, even in neighboring areas, the taste of wine from the same grape variety is noticeably different.
Appellation is a wine-growing region with unique geographical conditions and a well-established wine production technology regarding the choice of grape varieties, their maximum yield, methods of juicing, aging and other parameters.
If the manufacturer complies with all the rules, he has the right to put on the label the inscription “Appellation Contrôlée” (control by origin), which means that the organoleptic properties of the wine (taste shades, color, smell) correspond to the standard adopted in the appellation. Wines controlled by origin are considered to be of the highest quality.
There are 466 registered appellations in France. The most famous are Bordeaux, Champagne, Chablis, the Rhone and Loire valleys. Often appellations are nested in each other according to the principle of nesting dolls, because of this it is not easy to understand them. For example, inside Bordeaux there is the Medoc region, in turn, in the Medoc itself there is a separate Margaux region.
The difference between terroir and appellation is that terroir divides regions only according to natural conditions, while appellation additionally takes into account the technology of wine production. As a result, there can be many appellations in one terroir.
Chateau (Château) is the general term for a French winery. For example, the inscription on the label “Château de Chambord” means that the wine is produced by the Chambord winery. The label “Château” is most often found on wines from Bordeaux.
Classification of French wines
France was the first country to develop a quality standardization system. Subsequently, the principle of wine categorization was borrowed by other countries, including Italy, Spain and Portugal.
French wines come in 4 categories (the abbreviation or full name is applied to the label):
AOC (Appellation d’Origine Controlee) – control by origin, the most expensive wines that comply with the rules of their appellation. Each barrel is tasted before being sold. The word “d’Origine” is usually replaced with a specific name. For example, the inscription “Appellation Bordeaux contrôlée” indicates that the production of wine is controlled by the Bordeaux Appellation.
Additional marking “Believed” on the label means that the grapes are grown on a plantation that historically gives a better harvest than the surrounding ones. This is an indicator of the highest quality.
Vdqs (Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure) are candidate wines awaiting the AOC category. Although the requirements for this group are somewhat lower, most manufacturers try to adhere to the highest standards.
VdP (Vin de Pays) – French wines from regional wine material, only the strength of the drink, the variety and the yield of grapes are controlled. Basically, these are the products of small rural wineries, but in terms of quality they can not be inferior to the highest category.
VdT (Vin de Table) – ordinary table wines made in France, which pass only laboratory control. In their production, you can use wine material from other countries of the European Union.
Wine regions of France
Bordeaux – the oldest region located on the Atlantic coast in a temperate climate. Red wines of Bordeaux are considered the world standard of quality. For their production, four grape varieties are mainly used: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot. The price depends on the prestige of the producer, aging and the year of harvest, since in this area there are not always favorable conditions for the growth and maturation of grapes.
The region is divided into many appellations, the most famous being Medoc, Graves, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes. Historically, the production of wines in Bordeaux is carried out by small private estates called “Château”, translated from French as “castle”. They honor the traditions of their ancestors and carefully monitor the quality.
Stamps:
- Michael Boyer. Chateau Bellevue la Mongie;
- Ginestet. Chateau Briot;
- Peter Lurton. Chateau Marjosse;
- Menard vineyard. Memory Castle;
- Jean-Yves Milllaire. Chateau Cavale Blanche.
Burgundy – wine region in the east of France with a length of 200 km, consisting of almost 100 appellations. Mostly Chardonnay and Aligote grape varieties are cultivated here. Due to its heterogeneous soil and variable climate, Burgundy white wines are known for their wide range of flavours. The most prestigious wine-growing areas of Burgundy: Chablis, Cote and Haute-Cote, Maconnay and Chalonnay.
Stamps:
- SC of the Domaine de la Romanne-Conti;
- Domaine Anne Gros;
- J.Trapet;
- Domain of Comte Senard;
- J. Drouihin;
- Rene Engel;
- R.Arnoux.
Champagne – the birthplace of sparkling wines. The region is located in the north of France near the border with Belgium and Luxembourg. The inventor of champagne is the Benedictine monk Pierre Pérignon, who was the first to subject the wine to double fermentation.
Champagne makes white and rosé sparkling wines. Interestingly, the production uses two red varieties Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, as well as white Chardonnay grapes.
Stamps:
- Krug;
- Perrier toy;
- Charles Heidsiek;
- Egly-Ouriet.
Alsace is a province in northeastern France bordering Germany and Switzerland. The mountains protect the hilly vineyards from strong winds and naturally regulate rainfall.
Alsace is famous for its white wines (more than 90% of production) from Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Gewurztraminer grapes.
Stamps:
- Clos Ste-Hune;
- Trimbach;
- Hugel;
- Schlumberger Estates;
- Wimann;
- Baron Kirmann.
Loire Valley – a large wine-growing region of France, stretching for 300 km in the valley of the Loire River. The climate varies from maritime to continental. Grapes are cultivated here on the eastern slopes of the hills. Preferred varieties: Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Grollo, Sauvignon and Chenin.
A characteristic feature of local wines is that they cannot be stored for a long time, therefore they are drunk young. The Loire produces a variety of wines: red, white, rosé, dry, semi-dry, sweet and even sparkling.
Stamps:
- Patrick de Ladoucette;
- Marc Bredif;
- Alphonse Mellot;
- Henris Bourgois;
- Didier Dagueneau;
- Langois-Chateau;
- Castle of Nozet.
Rhone Valley – a region with a length of 225 km in the south of France. Due to differences in climate, soil and grape varieties (Syrah, Carignan, Marsanne, Ugni blanc) is divided into northern and southern parts. Local masters specialize in dry red and white wines.
The most famous appellation of this region is Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the appearance of which is associated with the transfer of the residence of the Pope to the city of Avignon (1309-1327). Until now, Châteauneuf-du-Pape is an example of unquestioning observance of traditions and production technology.
Stamps:
- Guigal;
- Perrin;
- Chapoutier;
- Marc Sorrel;
- JL Grippat;
- Chateau Mont-Redon.
Provence – the oldest region with a mild climate, in which the Greek colonists began to grow vines as early as the XNUMXth century BC. The area uses a wide range of grape varieties: Mourvèdre, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbulan, Clairette, Sémillon, Sauvignon. The best wines of Provence are made in the Bandol appellation. Mostly red and pink varieties.
Stamps:
- Domaine Ott;
- Castle of Saddle;
- Chateau Pibranon;
- Domaine Gavoty;
- Mas Cdenet;
- Chateau Real-Martin.
Southwest – the collective name of several wine-growing regions isolated from each other, which are located in the administrative district of Aquitaine. Local winemakers are engaged in the production of dry white and red wines of all quality categories.
Stamps:
- A. Brumont;
- Robert Plageoles;
- Chateau Montus;
- Chateau Belingard;
- Domain of Pecoula.
Yura – a small region on the border with Switzerland, known for unique varieties of wine – yellow and straw, which have a specific taste. The grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are used in production.
Stamps:
- Chateau-Chalon;
- Arbois;
- the Star;
- Jura coasts.
Beaujolais – a small region near Lyon, located in a cold continental climate. Local winemakers use only one grape variety – Gamay. Due to natural conditions, finished Beaujolais wine cannot be stored for a long time. It is opened on the third Thursday of November in the harvest year and drunk until spring. The French created and then skillfully popularized the holiday of young wine “Beaujolais Nouveau”, now it is celebrated all over the world.
Stamps:
- Georges Duboeuf;
- Jean Baronat;
- Gérard Brisson;
- Philippe Deschamps;
- Stephane Gardette;
- Castle of Lavernette.
Languedoc – the largest wine region in France, not distinguished by high quality wine. In recent years, it has become a territory of experiments for winemakers from all over the world, introducing new methods and technologies.
Stamps:
- Domaine Cazes;
- Domaine des Chenes;
- Prioress of St-Jean de Bibian;
- Chateau Cazeneuve;
- Chtaeu Helene;
- Castle Dungeon;
- Jean-Jean.
Corsica – the dawn of winemaking on the island began after joining France in 1768. But due to the limited area for vineyard plantations, most of the wines produced in Corsica are drunk by the local population, rarely being exported.
PS Brands of French wines from each region are given only as an example, the sequence of their placement is not a rating, I do not advertise these producers and do not call for buying their products.