Most Famous Wine in France

Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u Introduction PAGEREF _Toc380782382 h 1Famous Wine Producing Regions in France PAGEREF _Toc380782383 h 1The Loire Region PAGEREF _Toc380782384 h 2The Bordeaux PAGEREF _Toc380782385 h 2Why France is important wine producing country in the world for many centuries PAGEREF _Toc380782386 h 4Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc380782387 h 5

IntroductionFrance is the name that comes to mind of many people who like wine. It has a deep history as the leader of wine production in the world. Practically all the classic varieties of grapes in existence today originated from France. The country wine continues to act as the prototype against which the standard of wines from different parts of the world is evaluated today. For instance, a California Cab is gauged against the standard set by Cabernet Sauvignon produced in Bordeaux. Wines in France are usually named depending on the region of production, as opposed to variety of grape they are made from. The aim of this paper is to review different regions where wine is produced in France and the factors making its wine exceptional from those of other regions in the world.

Famous Wine Producing Regions in FranceThere are seven regions in France specializing in wine production. These include Alsace, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Provence, Loire, and the Rhone Valley. However some of its most famous ones are the Loire valley and Boudreaux region. Each of these regions is popular for production of a particular variety of grape due to unique indigenous terroir. This described as the combination of climate, location and soil characteristics. It is a legal requirement all wine in the country should indicate the location of production as opposed to variety of grapes. The aim is to guarantee style, originality and quality. In this section some of the popular regions are described as well as variety of grapes available and characteristics of the wines (Sevier Wines, 2006).

The Loire RegionThis is one of the largest producers of wine in France. It is a vast distance stretching more than 500 Kilometers. It is subdivided into four main sub-regions. These include Pays Nantais, Anjou, and Centre. Each of these regions has a distinct combination of climate and soil. The largest production takes place in Anjou-Saumur, which accounts for 34% production, this is followed by Nantes at 32%, Tourraine with 25% and the Center accounts for 9 %. These regions produce about 2885 million hectoliters. The finest wine from Loire valley comes from the smallest sub-region or the center. Largest proportion of its wine is marketed as export. It is popular for the production of White wines, which comprises of 55% of vines. Nantes produces Melon, which is the principal ingredient for production of Muscadet and accounts for 37% of white grapes from the region (Gamble & Taddei, 2007). The Cabernet wine, Sauvignon and Chenin are also produced in this region.

Grapes produced in the Loire valley ripens slowly as compared to those of other region. The result of the slower ripening of grapes combined with breezes from Atlantic on the wine made in the region is a high concentration of acid, which makes them more refreshing (Sevier Wines, 2006).

The BordeauxFor many years the Bordeaux region in France has enjoyed recognition in the world as the best region for quality winemaking. The region is the second largest across the world in production of wines with acreage of 290,000 acres under vines. It accounts for almost a quarter of the country’s AOC production (Henderson & Rex, 2011). It is also one of the most famous regions in production of wines of different tastes, but very popular for the red wines. It is located in Atlantic Coastline, with three key rivers cutting across the land and giving it a good microclimate. In addition, the region has suitable soil conditions which combine with the good microclimate to form an appropriate environment suitable for production of the fine wines. This region has distinct local soils ranging from the gravels, which covers part of Garonne and spread to Libourne region comprising of some part of Saint Emilion and Pomerol. The grave soil is suitable for production of vines because it support deep root penetration and it is also easy for water to percolate. In other sites like Saint Emilion, Cotes, and Sauternes soils like clay and limestone are present. In other regions soil like alluvial and molasse sandstone are present.

The diversity in the soils of this region and climate fosters diversity in grapes produced, which in turn explains why the region is famous for a wide variety of wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes do well in the gravel soil. Wine from such region take more time to mature and can take long to age. The Merlot grapes on the other hand require less time to mature and do well in the clay soils. The region is famous for production of different tastes of wines such as white, red, sweet and white, clairet, rose and sparkling wines and the fine Bordeaux. The region is most famous for red wines. The most common grapes are Merlot accounting for 50% followed by cabernet Sauvignon at 26%. The white grapes only account for twenty percent of total production in Bordeaux, but they produce the most expensive wines in the world. The merlot contributes to roundness and flexibility of Bordeaux wine. The Cabernet Sauvignon on the other hand is adored because of its composition of tannins which improves the structure of Bordeaux wine and is a very important ingredient in the process of ageing. Cabernet Franc is another important grape variety in the region and does well in arid conditions and poor soil quality. Bordeaux sweet wines like Sauternes are made from Semillon. Saugnon Blanc adds unique aroma to the white wine in the region.

Why France is important wine producing country in the world for many centuriesThe quality of wine produced in the seven different regions of France is attributed to the unique weather condition of each region. The geographic features and the climate of these regions have been attributed to the high quality of wine from France. The soil characteristics such as gravel with its ease in water penetration and mineral composition like calcium is linked to the fineness wine. The country ability to produce fine wine is thus attributed to terroir.

Terroir is a term that has been developed in France and can have many different meaning. It has been associated with landscape of the region that is producing wine. It is also linked with the natural endowments like subsoil, slops, soil, climate, and exposure of vineyards. It is also associated with human factors like local traditions and know-how. The type of soil is one major factor that influence the quality of wine produced. Some soil types are more suitable than others with deep grave beds being considered to be the best. Region like the Bordeaux are rich in the gravel soils. The slope exposure is another major factor that determines whether or not a region would produce quality wine. The slope exposure determines light reflection which prevents rotting of grapes as the sun dries the dew on them (Gergaud. & Ginsburgh, 2008).

The soil and climate or the Terroir is a major factor contributing to fineness of Bordeaux wine. It is located in the coastline of Atlantic Ocean. The region is sandwiched between the equator and the North Pole. It is spared from extreme temperatures. A thick forest separates the vineyards from the coast protecting the vines from cold ocean breezes. It also has a great soil variation, which supports different types of grapes. Composition of soil is a major determinant in deciding the type of vine shoot to plant. Additionally, different wine style that is produced in particular appellation depends on the variety planted. Because Bordeaux produces different varieties of wine, winemakers are able to blend the different varieties to generate the best combination. French wines are thus blends of different varieties. In contrast, wines produced from cooler areas tend to be of single varieties.

ConclusionFrance is very famous for production of quality wine in the world. There are seven regions specializing in grape cultivation and wine production. The most famous of these are the Loire valley and Bordeaux region. Each of these regions is popular for production of a particular type of wine with the former being famous for white wines and the latter red wines. The two regions are endowed with unique terroir or soil and climate, which enable them to produce variety of grapes giving winemaker option to blend and make the best wine combination as compared to other regions that only produces a particular specialty.

References

Gamble, P. R. & Taddei, J. (2007). Restructuring the French wine Industry: the case of the Loire. Journal of Wine Research, 18.3: 125-145.

Gergaud, O. & Ginsburgh, V. (2008). Natural Endowments, Production Technologies and the Quality of Wines in Bodeaux, Does Terroir matter? The Economic Journal, 118: 142-157.

Henderson, J. P. & Rex, D. (2011). About Wine. Famingtons Hills MI: Cengage Learning.

Sevier Winess LLC. (2006). French Wine Regions – An Overview. Retrieved on 31 Dec 2013 from: http://www.sevierwines.com/FrenchWineRegions.htm