Wine is one of the most popular drinks in the world, and experts have devoted their lives to studying this age-old beverage. While Italy and Spain are well-known for their wines and more modern countries like the USA and Australia are quickly becoming major wine-producing areas, France remains the most famous wine country in the world.
France is synonymous with wine, and many of the finest wines that you can find on Millésima and around the world come from the country. However, wine is incredibly varied, and the product differs significantly from region to region. Read on to find out more.
Bordeaux
Perhaps the most famous wine region in France, and indeed the world, Bordeaux has been producing world-class wine for over 800 years. The majority of wine produced in the Bordeaux region is red and is commonly referred to by the umbrella term claret.
The Bordeaux region is divided by the Gironde Estuary, splitting the area into what are known as the right bank and the left bank. The right bank is more suited to growing Merlot grapes, while the left bank favors Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. This means we see a difference in the wine produced from different areas of the Bordeaux region itself.
Burgundy
Known in French as Bourgogne, Burgundy is located in east-central France and the region’s winemakers pride themselves on local customs and pay particular attention to how the geography affects the wine, a concept known as terroir.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes are most commonly used in Burgundy, and some of the wines produced in the region are among the most expensive in the world.
Champagne
It’s not difficult to guess what this region is famous for. Yes, Champagne is the home of champagne, the go-to drink for celebrations and festivities all around the world.
To make the incredible sparkling wines, Champagne winemakers will use Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Wines that are made with only Chardonnay grapes are referred to as Blanc de Blancs, and wines made with only Pinot Noir or Pinot Meunier grapes are referred to as Blanc de Noirs.
Alsace
Alsace is a region in north-eastern France that sits by the Rhine River, next to the border with Germany and Switzerland. It’s easy to see the Germanic influence in the wines that come from the Alsace region, Riesling and Gewurztraminer grapes are used as much as Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris grapes.
Much of the wine produced in Alsace is white and the region is known for producing a wide variety of different wines, with varying levels of sweetness and dryness.
Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley is home to a number of different vineyards that make use of a range of grapes, including Marsanne, Red Grenache, and Syrah. The north of the valley is best known for higher quality wines, while the south of the valley produces more affordable, everyday wines.
Conclusion
France has long been considered the wine capital of the world, and for good reason. This is just a taste of the wine regions in France, it’s definitely a subject worth exploring more.Â