France is the oldest region in Europe, which for thousands of years continues to delight with its wine traditions. It was here that in the 6th century BC, the noble drink of Dionysus was born.
How to choose a wine?
For real gourmets, the choice of French varieties will not be difficult, but such diversity can turn the head of the uninitiated. Before buying, be sure to study the labels on the bottle label. It indicates the grade, number of degrees, type, composition and other nuances that you should not close your eyes.
Important when choosing wine in France is the release date and place of production. Bottles of noble varieties must have appropriate distinctive signs, for example, a seal or company signature.
When buying wine, you can not miss a single detail, even the method of manufacture. If the drink was released at the factory, then it can be powder. Having studied the composition, this factor will be able to unravel even a simple layman. In any case, before buying, you should know the categories, types and varieties of wine.
Varietal classification
Wine can be divided according to various criteria, for example, by the content of carbon dioxide or sugar. However, classification by grade is paramount. True gourmets pay special attention to it. Classification of French wines on this basis:
- monosepazhnye (made from one grape variety);
- assembly (made from a mixture of different types).
Also, drinks are usually divided by the content of carbon dioxide. Quiet and sparkling wine is distinguished here. France has always been famous for its “foamy” varieties such as Foro and Domain. Quiet wines do not contain carbon dioxide, while sparkling wines do not. To date, it is the second type that is very popular in luxury restaurants around the world.
According to the level of sugar, wines are dry, semi-dry, as well as dessert, that is, sweet or semi-sweet. As for the alcohol content, it all depends on the method of fermentation. The amount of alcohol can vary up to 23%.
Quality classification
Not many people know that French wines are base with flavors. The first level of quality just relates to those. This is the VDT standard, i.e. table varieties. They are made from grapes, which are often grown in other countries using local technologies. Most often, these wines are assorted. The requirements for them are minimal, so the price is relatively low. Alcohol content - up to 15%.
The second level of quality is VDP, or "local" varieties. The requirements for such drinks are slightly higher than for canteens. They should be made from grapes grown only in a certain area in specific conditions. These varieties are subject to thorough tasting. They are rich in taste and contain at least 9% alcohol. The cost of such a bottle is moderate and depends on the variety.
The best wines of France belong to the AOC category. The entire production process from harvesting to bottling is controlled by a special commission. All the details are important here: where and how the grapes are grown, where it is stored and how the grapes are squeezed, how long the fermentation takes and even in which barrels. Control is carried out strictly according to the regulations. At the end, the wines are sent by the commission to the laboratory for research and only then for tasting. For a manufacturer to get permission to release a drink, his product must go through a dozen tests, but this is the only way to achieve the perfect result.
Understanding what the classification of wines of France is, can help inexperienced buyers in the right choice of a particular variety. It should be noted that drinks produced in recognized regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Languedoc, etc.) are automatically classified as AOS. Belonging to a particular level of quality is always indicated on the label, as well as the territory in which the grapes were grown. On some bottles you can find the words "premier cru" or "grand cru" - this is an additional classification, indicating the highest grades of the product.
Bordeaux wines
These varieties of the native French are known as "gifts of the seas." The fact is that the wineries are located between three rivers: the Garonne, Dordogne and the Gironde. Among the elite regions, it is worth highlighting Bourget-Blyay, Libourne, Antre-de-Mer, Sauternet and others. In this large area only Bordeaux wine is made. France since the beginning of the 19th century has become famous throughout the world thanks to such varieties as Chateau Margot, Semillon and Cabernet Franc.
Bordeaux wines are noticeably different from others. The reason for this may be factors such as a mild climate and a special soil structure. In addition, only the best winemakers from all over the country work in this region. In addition to these varieties is the proximity of the ocean, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of millezim.
Bordeaux is rightfully considered one of the best assembly wines in Europe. Traditional white varieties include Semillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon. French red wines produced in Bordeaux: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Verdot Petit and others. Each of these varieties surprises with its longevity, delicate taste and unique texture. A separate step is the Chateau Margot line, which is considered the most elite "gift of the seas."
Burgundy wines
These varieties belong only to the premium premium class. Burgundy wines of France are distinguished by a soft fruity aftertaste and light astringency.
In the varieties Joseph Drouhin and Faiveley, which appeared only towards the end of the 90s, apple-melon tincture, oak bark and almond shavings are in perfect harmony. A creamy texture and a light aroma of smoke make this drink unforgettable and incomparable.
Variety La Chablisienne has a mysterious golden color with a slight greenish tint. It has an exquisite aroma that combines apple, pear, peach, orange peel, and blooming clover. Thanks to the restrained oily taste, a 12-degree fortress is not at all felt.
It is worth noting the Pascal Bouchard variety, especially the 1998 release. This wine is one of the few Burgundy that fits the category of "Grand". The people call it rustic because of the very sharp aroma, but the taste of this drink is very piquant.
The La Chablisienne variety cannot be ignored. This golden drink is rich in aromatic ingredients, which include mint, almonds, jasmine, vanilla, and even linden.
Wines of the Loire Valley
It is believed that the first vines in this region were planted by St. Martin himself in 380 AD. e. The red wines of France produced here have a floral-fruity aroma with subtle notes of tannins.
Of the huge variety of varieties of the Laura Valley, pink Chinon and Bourgueil can be distinguished. In a place called Montluy, vines grow from which dessert wine is made. Here on the labels you can not see the inscription “semi-sweet”, since such varieties in this region are referred to as “soft”. The situation is similar with sweet wines, which are called liquor in the Laura Valley.
The shelf life of such varieties is from 10 years. In rare cases, the bottle can be opened after 4 years. The most noble white wine of France and the valley is Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil. Of the remaining varieties of the AOC category in the Loire, it will not be out of place to mention Daniel Allias, Foreau and Francis Mabille.
Wines of the Rhone Valley
This fertile subregion in France was discovered relatively recently - at the beginning of the new millennium. Of the first wines, Crozes Hermitage and Gigondas stand out. These drinks are strong and rich. The aroma is mixed raspberries, cherries, spices, oak bark and licorice.
Towards the end of 2001, Chateaunef du Pape wines were born. This dark red drink is remembered for its pronounced plum aroma with an admixture of smoked meats and spices. It is stored up to 15 years.
White wine of France, produced in the Rhone Valley, is characterized by a smooth overflow of yellowish tones and a striking refinement of taste. Signature ingredients include acacia honey and violet petals. The best representatives of the variety are Hermitage 2000 and Condrieu 2002.
Wines of Roussillon and Languedoc
Before Algeria gained independence, these varieties occupied first places at any exhibitions and international tastings. To date, the reality is that in this region there is not enough money to create all the necessary conditions for growing grapes, not to mention its processing. Unfortunately, a favorable climate and fertile soil are the only things that the once-famous territories of Roussillon and Languedoc can boast of.
Many of the local wines of France have forever sunk into oblivion in the early 1980s. However, there are still a few small areas that fit the AOC category. The most famous wines produced in them are Cotes du Rousillon and Coteaux du Languedoc.
In the Roussillon and Languedoc Valley, mainly red and pink varieties are produced.
Champagne Wines
In this area, the lands are strictly divided into villages where only exclusive varieties are grown and cultivated using secret technology. As you know, the most famous wines of France are red and white champagne. People in these specialized villages devote their whole lives to the production of these drinks.
The top three champagne varieties include Blanc de Blancs. The land has been owned by the Monquilly family for decades. A 1995 Blanca bottle is valued at thousands of dollars, all thanks to the refined taste of the drink.
Also in the top three is champagne based on the noble variety Pinot Mens, which grows only in the lands of Jean Moutardieu in Surmelen.
Do not forget about the pinkish drink of the Mutars dynasty. On the territory of Côte de Bar is one of the best light champagne in the country.
Wines of Savoy and Jura
These regions are located just east of Burgundy, near the Saone River. Thanks to its favorable location, winemakers can please their fans with fresh Chardonnay and Chateau Chalon all year round. Near the Jura Mountains, both white and red varieties grow well, so the owners of the land have a large training ground for "creativity". It is worth noting that the most sweet wines of France are produced in Savoy.
The most popular among the local varieties are the red Pulsar, Pinot Noir and Trousseau, as well as the white ones - Savanyen and Chardonnay. A distinctive feature of Jura wines is a high strength - up to 16% alcohol. This is achieved thanks to a special type of yeast fungus called mycoderma vini.
The most famous variety in the region is the white Chateau Chalon.
Wines of Provence
For many people, these varieties are associated with small villages and flower-strewn fields. Unfortunately, the dry wines of France, which are produced within Provence, are not as demanded as similar drinks from Burgundy or Bordeaux, but they have their devoted fans.
The most important representative of the variety is Bandol. This rich red wine belongs to the AOC category. It is characterized by a rich aroma of spices, fruits and needles. Aged in oak barrels from 2 years, but the perfect finish is achieved only by ten years.
You can also highlight the red wines of Cote de Provence. They are made from grape varieties such as Syrah, Carignana, Cunoise, Vermentino, Mourvedre, etc.
The most famous and expensive wines of France
Today, rich people from all over the world are ready to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for the exclusive varieties of Chateau and Monopol. The best wines of France are very expensive, but tasting them sometimes seems to be just one opportunity in life.
In third place is the Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. The bottle of 1945 is estimated at 115 thousand dollars. Any self-respecting taster and collector will call this drink a real miracle of winemaking.
On the second line settled Chateau Lafite of the 1787th year of release. Today, French wines of this line can be bought at any store, but at that time it was the only bottle in the world with Chateau Lafite. Its cost is estimated at 160 thousand dollars.
The most expensive and exclusive wine in France is Monopol champagne from a harvest of 1907. The bottle is added value by the fact that it was once presented to Tsar Nicholas II, but was subsequently lost during transportation during the First World War. Nevertheless, in 1998, a group of divers accidentally stumbled upon a valuable cargo. Now a bottle of Monopol costs at least 275 thousand dollars.