Jul 28 2009
The Recognized Wine Areas of France (Part I)
The whole system of wine production in France is directed by the INAO (the “Institute National des Appellations d’Origine”). The institution controls over each appellation of existing wines. All the wines are to meet the requirements set by the special regulating acts. Naming all the appellations of the French wines is too painstaking task, that’s why we would offer you a brief survey of the main wine-producing areas of France.
The area of Alsace.
Alsace is a region where mostly white sorts of wine are produced. Though some sorts of red, rosé, sweet and sparkling wines are produced there too. The region is on the east of France, the river of Rhyne, it borders on Germany. Among the grapes planted in Alsace we can name such as Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat and Pinot Noir.
The area of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux region is rather large territory of the Atlantic coast, having its ancient history and exporting wines abroad. There mostly red wines are produced. This area has its sub-regions: Medoc (among its wines are the famous Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild, Chateau Margaux and Chateau Haut-Brion), Pomerol (famous for its Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Ausone in St Emilion; and Petrus and Chateau Le Pin). You should know that the red wines are mostly the blends (from the sorts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and sometimes Cabernet Franc). In Bordeaux region also some sweet and dry white wines are made, for example, Chateau d’Yquem.
The area of Burgundy.
Burgundy is another wine area of France lying on the east of the country. Burgundy (or Bourgogne) wines are of white and red sorts. The climatic conditions are rather appropriate for wine industry and a bit distinctive from the others wine regions on France wine map. We must recognize that original wine from the Burgundy region is always of high price.
The area is divided into four sub-regions (the Cote de Nuits, the Cote de Beaune,
the Cote Chalonnaise, the Maconnais).
Beaujolais and Chablis are at times considered to be separate areas, though being the two parts of the region of Burgundy.
We can name two sorts of grapes which are primarily cultivated in Burgundy. They are Chardonnay (for white wines), and Pinot Noir (for red wines). However, the white wines are sometimes produced of the grapes of Aligoté and some other grapes.
Loire Valley.
France Loire Valley wine region is stretching far by the Loire River in the central part and in the west of France. There mainly white wines are made. The sorts of grapes and the styles of wines vary remarkably. The Loire Valley area has four sub-regions: Upper Loire (known for its Sauvignon Blanc and producing wines like Sancerre AOC); Anjou-Saumur (producing delicate dry Savennières AOC and sweet Coteaux du Layon AOC); Touraine (famous for its white and red wines); Pays Nantais (producing Muscadet AOC white wines from the Melon de Bourgogne grapes).
Champagne area.
The region is in the east of the country. We should admit that the region is the coldest among the wine areas of France. Sparkling or Champagne wines are maid there (both white and rosé).
