France and Its Wine Culture
Publicado: 22 noviembre 2023 a las 1:00 pm
Categorías: Vivino
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BY THE GOOD GOURMET SOMMELIER
Culture and identity
Saying that France invented wine would be like saying that water came from France. There are many other countries that make good wine. But in the world of wine, France has an influence that is simply beyond dispute. In fact, there are few countries that have such a powerful and rich impact on their own cultural origin as France does with wine.
France is a country where wine is deeply embedded in the culture and identity of the people. While most of the wines produced in France come from local grapes, varieties originating from other countries have also been historically grown, including Italian varieties like Barolo and Sangiovese.
A grapes grove in the French countryside can excite the senses through sight and smell as well as taste. In a nation as diverse and passionate about wine as France, it is a country where the term terroir may be used with frequency.
France is the world leader in wine production with over 2 million acres of vineyards, making it the most extensive wine-producing nation in the world. France has a long and proud history of wine, which dates back to the Romans when they first planted vineyards.
The most important wine-growing regions in France are classified as Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC). AOC stands for a “protected designation of origin,” and the regulations are strict. Most wines produced in France, even those made from imported varieties of grape, must include in their label the appellation of where it is produced.
There are seven main regions to discover, from the romantic Bordeaux to the often overlooked Alsace, each one with their own characteristics: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Loire, Provence, the Rhone Valley, and Alsace.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of the most famous wine regions in the world, located in southwestern France. The region is known for its diversity in geography, soil, weather, and winemaking tradition, which produces a myriad of wines. Over 90% of Bordeaux wines are red wines made with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The region is divided into three wine growing areas by the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers: the left bank, the right bank, and Entre-Deux-Mers (the region in between the two rivers). This geographical configuration defines the style of Bordeaux blends and splits Bordeaux into distinctive territories that are must-visit while traveling in the region.
The Left bank area includes the communes of Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe, which are known for their Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blends. The Right bank area includes the communes of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, which are known for their Merlot-dominant blends.
St-Emilion is a wine lover’s paradise, where the story of wine is told through every bottle. From silky Merlots to powerful Cabernet Francs, the wines of St-Emilion are a testament to the region’s rich history and terroir. With the Grand Cru Classé system and rigorous tasting panels, only the highest quality wines make it to the bottle. In St-Emilion, wine is more than just a drink, it’s a way of life.
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