| tly, when wine comes up in conversation, we | | | | If you have tried French wine in the past and |
| often find ourselves discussing where the wine | | | | have decided it is not for you, consider if you will, |
| may have originated from. | | | | that there are thirteen different regions in France |
| If you study the label on most bottles, you should | | | | with literally thousands of vineyards that produce |
| be able to find the Country of Origin, such as Chile | | | | all types of wine, making the possibilities for |
| or Australia. But how often are the regions labelled | | | | French wine endless. French is also known for |
| and how much do we know about what part of a | | | | having the ideal location for growing grapes, |
| country that wine may have come from? | | | | including the perfect soil conditions and vineyards |
| If you consider how different potatoes, for | | | | that are very close to water supplies. The climate |
| example, differ from Jersey, in the UK, to say, | | | | in France is always good, making it one of the |
| the Midlands, you will begin to appreciate how | | | | best locations in the world for wine. Also some of |
| much different a grape varietal can taste from | | | | your favourite grape varietals originated from |
| region to region. White Burgundy for instance, is | | | | France, including Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet |
| one of the better known wines of France and | | | | Sauvignon and even the Shiraz (known as Syrah |
| Champagne rarely needs an introduction, but | | | | in France) |
| these wines differ greatly, yet are both made by | | | | French grape varieties vary from the most |
| the Chardonnay grape. | | | | common types that you can find in virtually any |
| There are many wine regions out there to be | | | | country that now produces wine, to the rare |
| discovered - several of which make up the many | | | | variants, which can be very difficult to come |
| appellations of France. | | | | across. If you are looking for one of the rarer |
| In days gone by, wine in France was made by | | | | types of French wine, your best bet would be to |
| the peasants on the land, who drank it | | | | either use the Internet, or if you have the |
| themselves. This secret drink was soon | | | | inclination, to drive through the heart of France |
| discovered by the rest of the population and is | | | | stopping at small, obscure estates and asking to |
| now one of the biggest exports in the French | | | | try their wines! Some of the best wines I have |
| economy. | | | | come across are from just such estates and the |
| The wine making tradition can be traced back | | | | owners are usually very friendly and welcoming |
| over many centuries in France, which is really no | | | | and often more than happy to show off to you |
| surprise as French wine is now regarded as some | | | | their passion and love! |
| of the best in the world, and with some of the | | | | You can find hundreds of thousands of different |
| most respected producers. | | | | types of wine, including rare French wine. Rare |
| 'New world' wines, such as Chile and Australia, | | | | vintage French wine can be extremely hard to |
| usually list the ingredients that were used on the | | | | find, even online. You can always look at wine |
| label, while French 'old world' wines are labelled | | | | forums as well, including the many different wine |
| with the location or region of production. In doing | | | | websites. |
| so, I believe that the French have left a bit of a | | | | All in all, French wine is considered to be a cut |
| romantic message in their wines, allowing you a bit | | | | above the rest, whether it is the taste, the story |
| more of a story and history when you purchase | | | | and history behind it, or just the area where it is |
| any of their wine. | | | | grown. All this goes towards what the French |
| It is often believed and considered by a lot of | | | | refer to as "Terroir", a word that does not |
| wine connoisseurs all over the world that French | | | | translate into English, but encompasses all that is |
| wine is the best available. Wine lovers from all | | | | French Wine. |
| corners agree with these opinions, which keeps | | | | So, although other wines may use the same |
| the mystique and prices where they are for this | | | | ingredients and methods in production, they don't |
| revered French commodity. | | | | taste the same, or have the Terroir as those |
| There are several different kinds of French wine | | | | made in France. |
| available, giving you plenty to choose from and | | | | When you taste a wine that was made in France |
| my advice would be to try as many as you can | | | | - you’ll know it. Even though other wines |
| to discover for yourself their diversity and to | | | | may be preferred by some, French wine has a |
| experience and compare French wine based on | | | | taste and aroma like no other. Wine that comes |
| region, grape variety, aroma, taste, and even the | | | | from France is all about quality - and a taste |
| texture. | | | | you’ll never forget. |