What is the origin of French wine?
Most French wine labels do not list the grape variety. If you are new to French wine or don't drink much wine, you may find it a little difficult to choose.
Wouldn't you like to get started by learning about "French wine producing regions"?
Each of France's traditional wine-producing regions has its own unique style in terms of the grape varieties used, cultivation methods, and brewing methods. Knowing the characteristics of the region will make it easier to imagine the taste of wine, which will help you choose wine!
This time, we have carefully selected 10 popular and representative production areas from various production areas spread throughout France.
[French wine] 10 production regions and their characteristics
[Northern]
1. Champagne
It is the northernmost vineyard in France. Champagne vineyards have also been included in the UNESCO Heritage List since 2015.
The Champagne region is home to the world's most famous wine, Champagne. Champagne is sparkling wine produced in Champagne. Sparkling wine produced elsewhere is not Champagne. When we think of Champagne, we tend to think of white wine made from Chardonnay, but red sparkling wine is also produced using two types of grapes: Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
2. Alsace
Alsace is located on the border between Germany and Switzerland. Grape cultivation was introduced by the Roman army.
Alsace is famous for its white wine made from the Riesling grape variety. Riesling wine is famous in Germany, but Riesling wine produced in Alsace is characterized by its dry and dry taste. The wine produced in Alsace is also one of the most famous and expensive in Europe.
【Center】
3. Loire
The Loire is a vast wine region formed around the Loire River, the longest river in France. It is also the number one white wine producing region in France. It is also famous for its sweet and dry rosés, which are known as the ``four major rosés.''
The vast Loire region produces a wide variety of unique wines from a variety of soils and climates. Due to the variety, even wine lovers find it difficult to understand everything. A variety of wines are produced including red, rosé, dry white to sweet white, and sparkling wine. There are many grape varieties, and you can enjoy rare varieties such as ``Chenan'' from Voubray and ``Pinot Noir'' from Sancerre.
4. Bourgogne
Burgundy is a world-famous wine region. Located in central-eastern France, it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2015.
Although it is a small region, its influence is huge and it produces many of the finest wines in France. Burgundy wines, both red and white, are rich in minerals and are characterized by an elegant and fragrant taste.
In Burgundy, red wine is made from a single grape variety, Pinot Noir, and white wine from Chardonnay. Both are world-famous and highly rated.
White wine accounts for 60% of production, and the "dry white wine of Chablis" is especially famous. It's a wonderful wine.
5. Beaujolais
Beaujolais is the name of the region just south of Burgundy.
``Beaujolais Nouveau'', which is famous in Japan, is a tasting drink to check the quality of the grapes that year. It is released around the world on the third Thursday of November every year, making it a festive wine.
Beaujolais is famous for its light red wine. All Beaujolais red wines are made from the Gamay grape variety. Fruity and fresh. It has a light and refreshing taste.
Beaujolais is famous for its red wine, but white wine is also made using Chardonnay. It has a slightly sour taste and a floral scent. Beaujolais white wine is not very well known, but it is of very high quality and is highly recommended.
[South]
6. Bordeaux
Bordeaux's vineyards are considered the largest and oldest in the world. Extraordinary know-how that has survived for centuries. There are many prestigious Grand Cru wines that attract wine lovers and collectors.
Bordeaux wines are mainly red wines made by blending multiple varieties. Furthermore, the taste characteristics differ between the right and left banks of the Gironde River.
Red Bordeaux from the left bank is characterized by its bold and dry flavor, which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. When you think of "red wine from Bordeaux," many people imagine the astringent, powerful red wine from the Left Bank.
The red Bordeaux from the right bank is a slightly soft and rustic red wine. Made primarily from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, it has flavors of black cherry and mint.
Bordeaux wine bottles are commonly made with ``anchor shoulders.'' Heavy red wines with strong tannins, such as Bordeaux wines, are often bottled with this ``ankari shoulder'' design.
7. Rhone
The Rhône has long been a center of wine culture. Viticulture in France began in the 4th century BC in southern France by the Greeks, but it was the Romans who actually planted vineyards. The Romans used the Rhône as a road through France and planted several vineyards along the way.
Reds and rosés make up the majority of wines from the Rhône region. Additionally, the taste characteristics differ between the northern and southern regions. In the north, a red wine with a spicy and powerful flavor is made from a grape called Syrah. The Southern Rhône is famous for its wines, which are blends of Grenache and Syrah. Wines from the southern Rhône are characterized by fruity, gentle flavors of ripe raspberries, plums, and dried lavender.
8. South-West (Sud-Ouest)
The south-west is France's fifth largest wine region. Bounded between the Pyrenees and Spain to the south, Bordeaux to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the vineyards of the southwest are some of the most diverse and unique in France. There are also many grape varieties, including maritime varieties such as Cabernet Franc and Merlot, as well as native varieties found only in the Southwest region.
If you like Bordeaux wine but think the price is too high, this southwestern wine is recommended. It is very similar to Bordeaux in grape varieties, winemaking style, and quality.
Especially recommended is wine made in the region of Cahors. You can enjoy a red wine made from the Malbec grape variety with a concentrated taste and rich tannins. (In France, it is said to be a good value wine and is popular!)
9. Languedoc-Roussillon
Landoc-Roussillon is France's largest wine-producing region, stretching from Nimes to the Spanish border. I want to enjoy heavy red wine at an affordable price! Highly recommended for those who are interested.
In Languedoc, many types of grapes grow together, so most wines are made from a blend of different grapes. Enjoy a full-bodied, powerful, and fruity red wine that is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah grown in the Mediterranean and Bordeaux regions.
10. Provence
It is located on the Mediterranean coast of France, bordering the Rhône River to the west and the Côte d'Azur to the east.
Although the area is not that big, it doesn't rain much and there is plenty of sunshine. It has a great climate for grapes. Provence is France's oldest wine region, where wine has been produced for over 2,600 years.
Also, when you think of Provence, you think of ``rosé.'' It's the only place that focuses on rosé. 88% of wine production is dedicated to rosé.
Look at the ``region'' to help choose wine
French wine has various characteristics depending on its production region. If you want to enjoy French wine but don't know how to choose one, please refer to the characteristics of each region and enjoy choosing wine!
