All About French Wines

Wine cultivation began several thousand years ago before Christ; the Egyptians made it and the Greeks exported it.

During the Roman Empire the vine cultivation exceeded to such a degree that a huge surplus amounted. This resulted in the emperor Domitian announces that all vineyards outside of Italy be uprooted. When the replanting of vineyards was later permitted, they extended to northern France, Germany and southern England.

During the middle ages the monks maintained vineyards. Monasteries had the resources, security and motivation to keep supplying a steady flow of wine for generating income and celebrating mass. During this period the monasteries owned the best vineyards and the wine was considered to be superior.

The French Revolution led to many of the vineyards owned by the Church being confiscated.

During the middle and second half of the 19th century many of the European vineyards suffered from a series of diseases and pests, then the economic downturn, followed by two world wars. The French wine industry did not recover for decades.

During this Period competition had arrived and threatened some of the most treasured French brands such as Champagne and Bordeaux. This resulted in the establishment of the Appellation d'Origine Controlee in 1935.

The Appellation d'Origine Controlee ensures the authenticity of wine. The law allows only wines made from grapes grown in Champagne region, for example to be called Champagne. France has one of the oldest and strictest laws for protected designation of origin for wine in the world.

The Bordeaux region is located on the Atlantic coast and is the most important wine growing region in France and the world. The vineyards around Bordeaux cover approximately 550,000 acres and production amounts to around 65 million gallons.

The best wines in Bordeaux bear the name of the chateaus where they are bottled; these are the expensive classified wines. Other wines in the Bordeaux regions bear the names of the districts of villages.

Bordeaux is mostly a red wine region producing many blends from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, howeve the Bordeaux region also makes dry and sweet white wine which also includes some of the world's most famous sweet wines.

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The region of Burgundy is located in eastern France. Red and White wines from this region are equally important. Wines from Burgundy's heartland in Cote d'Or command high prices.

There are two main grape varieties in Burgundy, Chardonnay for white wines and Pinot Noir for red wines. Other grape varieties are also used occasionally.

Burgundy is dividied into four main parts:- Cote du Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise and The Maconnais.

Many wine lovers agree that White Burgundies are the finest dry whites in the world.

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The Rhone valley is situated in the south eastern area of France. The valley follows the north-south course of the Rhone River for almost 150 miles. The length of the valley means that the wines produced in this region are the product of a wide variety of soil types and there is a widely accepted division between north and south parts of the valley. The north region focuses entirely on Syrah for Red wines and Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne for whites, whilst the southern region has a longer list of varieties.

The division is not just geographic as prestige is also a key factor. The North area only produces 5% of the valleys total, however it boasts old and highly respected names such as Hermitage and Cote Rotie, the south produces the other 95% under less prestigious names.

View a wide range of French Red Wines

Champagne is the world's most famous sparkling wine, and the name of the region in which it comes from. Champagne is situated at the northern edge of the world's vineyard growing areas. It has lower average temperatures than any other French wine region.
Champagne is made from the grape varieties Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.

The production process of champagne is similar to other wines, but it includes a very important additional stage where a second fermentation is started in the bottle by adding extra yeast and sugars. It is this that generates the carbon dioxide bubbles accountable for the pop and sparkle.

Low Sulphite Wines are becoming increasingly popular especially for those with an intolerance to sulphites. France is one of the worlds largest wine producers so it is of no surprise that they are also producing some fantastic low sulphite wines.

A particularly nice Low Sulphite Wine that has come from the Rhone Valley is So Lo SO. This wine is produced from Domaine Viret in St Maurice, Rhone an independently family owned vineyard. The wine maker is Philippe Viret.

This fantastic wine is soft, smooth with strong black fruit on the palate with a hint of spice and vanilla It is a combination of Mouverdre, Merlot, Cabernet, Marslean and Caladoc.

This is one of the most natural wines that money can buy.