Sampling The Wines Of France; A Hire Car And The Open Road

Touring the wine making regions of France in athan its northerly counterpart. The most famous
hire car is the perfect way sample all this uniquewine of the region is Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which
country has to offer. The wines of France arecombines thirteen different grapes in a sumptuous
generally regarded as the best in the world andblend. Whites and fortified wines can also be found
with a long heritage; some say the sixth centuryin the region and suit the climate slightly more
BC. This ensures that they have had plenty ofthan the reds.
practice with wine making methods. Car hireBordeaux is one of the largest wine growing
services will allow you to tour vineyards and theregions in the world and is a joy to tour in a hire
quaint villages of France, sampling, reds, whitescar. It is naturally suited to grow fine grapes with
and some marvellous cuisine.limestone soils, many rivers and a maritime
The only choice is which part of France to tour, itclimate that make ideal growing conditions.
al depends upon what wines suit your pallet. TheFrance is full of growing regions but Bordeaux has
various regions all have distinct wines that are assome of the widest variety of grapes in the
much part of the local identity as the languagecountry. Along with the Red Bordeaux grape
and accent. A hire car allows tourists to travel at(commonly known as claret in England), Cabernet
their own pace and achieve true relaxation. TheSauvignon and Merlot grapes are common. Whites
benefit of being able to stop en route and enjoyfrom this region of France tend to be made from
a lunch in a French cafe cannot bethe Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes.
underestimated. Just try not to indulge too muchIn the north of France, a fairly lengthy but
in the local grape variety before jumping in yourenjoyable drive in a hire car from the southern
hire car for the next stage of your journey.regions is where the Champagne area is situated.
Beaujolais is one of the classic wine producingLying so far north it is one of the most northerly
regions and makes an awesome road trip holidaywine growing regions which results in grapes not
in a hire car. Laying near the Rhone Alps thefully ripening and subsequently having a high level
varieties of wine are essentially easy drinking redsof acidity.
that have a fruity character. Not intended for longThis is perfect for sparkling wines and hence,
storage they make ideal bistro wines and as athese are what the region is most famous for.
result, good quality wines can be purchased forThe champagne houses have been in existence
relatively low expense.for centuries with Ruinart being founded in 1729
A short drive in your hire car will take you intoand Moet et Chandon being founded in 1743, with
the Rhone Valley, here both whites and reds cansuch heritage it is little wonder that the sparkling
be found due to the startling climate changeswines of the region are seen as the best in the
from north to south. The Syrah grape is commonworld.
in the north and is used to create some fineA tour of the wine growing regions of France by
examples of Shiraz type wines. Predominantlyhire car makes an ideal trip for those who like to
reds, the wines of the northern region aresample the finer things in life. The gorgeous reds
renowned for their olive and bacon aromas whilstof the south are every wine fans dream while
being bolder than the Beaujolais' reds.the champagne houses offer elegance and fine
Southern Rhone is a scenic drive which is perfectsparkling wines. For the connoisseur or those who
for those using car hire services. Following thesimply like a tipple this is a brilliant road trip to
river down country, southern Rhone has aundertake.
distinctly Mediterranean climate; much warmer