Wine Regions of France
There are seven primary wine-producing regions in France. Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Provence and the Rhone Valley comprise the dominant French wine regions. These regions, are known for particular grape varietals as dictated by the district's indigenous terroir.
Wine Growing Regions
Bourdeaux - With over 12,000 winegrowers and over 50 diverse growing appellations, it is no wonder that Bordeaux is the red wine hound of France. Over 80% of the wine produced in Bordeaux is red, primarily from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes. The two prevailing red wine-producing subregions of Bordeaux are aptly referred to as "Left Bank" and "Right Bank." The Left Bank has soils with higher gravel content that favor Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
French wines from the Left Bank usually require more time to mature and will age for years. While the Right Bank lends itself to soil with more clay, preferring the Merlot grapes, with their early-ripening characteristics. The Right Bank wines are typically better suited for beginning Bordeaux wine drinkers, as they have lower tannin content, more fruit-forward flavor and are more inviting initially. Bordeaux wines can fit a myriad of budgets with prices per bottle ranging from $6 to $500+, with $20-30 buying a very nice wine, suitable for dinner parties to gift-giving. It should also be noted that the Bordeaux region is also famed for Sauternes, a delightfully sweet white wine that has earned a reputation for being among the world's best for dessert wines. If you are looking for a moderately priced Bordeaux try the Chateau Lanessan 2000 Bordeaux.
Burgundy - The French wine-growing region of Burgundy, yields only about 25% of the wine of Bordeaux; however, it remains legendary in its legacy for both red and white wines. Burgundy lies on the eastern side of France and covers just over 100 miles. The dominating grape varietals grown in this region are Pinot Noir (making Red Burgundy wines), Chardonnay (making White Burgundy wines) and Gamay (making Beaujolais). Burgundy's moderate climate with warm summers and cold winters allow the high-maintenance Pinot Noir grape to grow particularly well. Red Burgundy wines are often on the pricier side; however, if you are looing for a recommended producer start with Louis Jadot - notable for producing consistent, quality Burgundies vintage after vintage. White Burgundy is a Chardonnay Lover's delight, with flavors of peaches and honey, crisp acidity and complex flavors that pair particularly well with seafood. Chablis are a unique forms of Chardonnay as they are not aged in oak, but instead winemakers ferment them in stainless steel, making a lighter-bodied white wine. As for Beaujolais - this is certainly a fun, affordable and very approachable red wine. Perfect for those beginning their red wine adventures, with lots of fruit-flavor, low tannins and general palate appeal. You can pick up a Beaujolais for $8 to $20. These are terrific warm weather wines.
The Rhone Valley - The Rhone Valley lies in southeastern France, providing distinct growing conditions to produce some of France's best bargain red wines. Grenache, Syrah and Viognier are the primary grape varietals grown in this region. The laid-back Grenache grapes flourish in the sizzling southern Rhone, producing red wines that are good deals, with good flavor and plenty of food pairing options. The northern Rhone specializes in Syrah grapes, manifesting themselves into the two most popular red wines the Hermitage and the Cote Rotie.
Alsace - Unlike the rest of France, Alsace names its wines by grape varietal instead of just place names of origin. White wines comprise the vast majority of Alsace wines. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling are the most noteworthy of the Alsace varietals.
The Alsace Gewurztraminer has remarkable flavors, unlike any New World wines, low acidity, high alcohol content all wrapped in a zesty blend of aromatic spice. The Alsace Pinot Blanc is reasonably priced and is a light-bodied white wine. The Pinot Gris has a fuller-body and reveals a rich flavor profile. The traditional Alsace Riesling is a dry, white wine with characteristic mineral nuances.
The Loire Valley - Known for its white wines mainly Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Muscadet, the Loire Valley rests on the northwest side of France. The wines from the Loire Valley come in a vast array of styles, from dry to sweet and from white to sparkling - wines from the Loire are typically lighter-bodied due to the cooler climate. Styles to keep an eye out for include Pouilly-Fume (made from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, Sancerre (also made from Sauvignon Blanc), Muscadet (made from the Muscadet grape), and Vouvray (from the Chenin Blanc grape).
Provence - The beautiful French wine-growing region of Provence is known predominantly for its rosé wines. A few producers to try include: Chateau Pradeaux and Chateau de Roquefort.
The varied growing-regions, a rich wine-making history and a passionate vineyard heritage all allow for French wines to continue to set an uncompromising, gold standard in the world of wine.
Source: about.com
