France is notable for a number of things – extraordinary food, the Eiffel tower, gorgeous women, and of course, some of the best wine in the world. French wine is produced in several regions throughout France, on vineyards surface more than over 2 million acres. In a typical year, seven to eight billion bottles of wine are produced in France, production it Italy’s strongest competitor for recognition as the world’s largest wine producer. Some French wine varietals have roots as far back as the 6th century Bc, and many of France’s regions claim to still use recipes and techniques perfected in antique Roman times.
Over the last several hundred years, French wines have been gradually becoming the most revered and most well known wines in the world. France produces, to many, some of the most well-known varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah. Additionally, the names of many French wine regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne are also well-known throughout the world. The quality, techniques and styles used by French wine makers have been the benchmark for wine production in most wine-producing countries for many years.
Wines
Perhaps French wines are so loved by the world because the French so love their wine. French wine plays an leading role in French identity and pride. However, over the last few decades, international competition in the wine industry has come to be more aggressive, and France’s status has been challenged both by new wine makers and by former wine countries in southern Europe. This fact combined with decreased domestic consumption of wine has forced some French vineyards to deal with struggling wine sales.
The involved regulations and traditions behind French wine production can be hard to understand, and the labels can be impossible to decipher. The central concept to understanding French wine is to know the variation between terroir wines and Aoc wines. “Terroir wines” are designated by their place of origin, which is specified on labels of French wine. Aoc rules closely define which grape varieties and winemaking practices are allowed in separate winemaking regions also referred to as appellations. Each of France’s several hundred geographically defined appellations has a separate list of wines it is allowed to produce. The rules must be followed by all producers who wish to use an Aoc label on their wines.
Perhaps once of France’s most beloved wines, Bordeaux is produced in a large wine production region on the Atlantic coast. The Bordeaux region has a long history of exporting its wines overseas, production in one of the most well-known French wines nearby the world. Bordeaux wines are known for having powerful, tannic flavors. And have come to be some of the most collected and treasured wines in the world. Although its red wines are the most loved, wine makers in the Bordeaux region also make some sweet white wines.
Fine Wines From France
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