Famous wines of France. French wine classification

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

France is the oldest region in Europe, which for thousands of years continues to delight with its wine traditions. It was here that the noble drink of Dionysus was born in the 6th century BC.

How to choose wine?

For real gourmets, the choice of French varieties will not be difficult, but for the uninitiated, such a variety can turn their heads. Before buying, be sure to study the inscriptions on the bottle label. It indicates the variety, number of degrees, type, composition and other nuances that you should not turn a blind eye to.

Important when choosing a French wine is the release date and place of production. Bottles of noble varieties must have appropriate distinctive signs, for example, a seal or a company signature. When buying wine, you should not miss a single detail, even the production method. If the drink was released at the factory, then it can be powdered. Having studied the composition, even a simple layman can unravel this factor. In any case, before buying, you should know the categories, types andwine varieties.

Classification by varietal composition

Wines can be divided according to various criteria, for example, by the content of carbon dioxide or sugar. However, classification by variety is paramount. Real gourmets pay special attention to it. Classification of French wines on this basis:

- monosepage (made from one grape variety);

- assemblage (made from a mixture of different types). Also, drinks are usually divided by carbon dioxide content. It produces still and sparkling wine. France has always been famous for its "foamy" varieties such as Foro and Domaine. Still wines do not contain carbon dioxide, while sparkling wines do the opposite. To date, it is the second type that is very popular in high-end restaurants around the world.

According to the level of sugar, wines are dry, semi-dry, as well as dessert, that is, sweet or semi-sweet. As for the alcohol content, it all depends on the method of fermentation. The amount of alcohol can vary up to 23%.

Classification by quality

Not many people know that French wines come in low quality flavors. The first level of quality just refers to those. This is the VDT standard, that is, table varieties. They are made from grapes, which are often grown in other countries using local technologies. Most often, these wines are assemblage. Requirements for them are minimal, so the price is relatively low. Alcohol content - up to 15%.

Second level of quality - VDP, or "local" varieties. Requirementsfor such drinks is slightly higher than for table drinks. They must be produced from grapes grown only in a certain area under specific conditions. These varieties are subject to careful tasting. Rich in flavor characteristics and contain at least 9% alcohol. The cost of such a bottle is moderate and depends on the variety. The best French wines belong to the AOC category. The entire production process from harvesting to bottling is controlled by a special commission. All the details are important here: where and how the grapes are grown, where they are stored and how the pomace takes place, how long the fermentation takes, and even in which barrels. Control is carried out strictly according to the regulations. At the end, the wines are sent by the commission to the laboratory for research and only then for tasting. In order for a manufacturer to obtain permission to release a drink, its product needs to pass a dozen tests, but this is the only way to achieve the perfect result.

Understanding what French wine classification is can help inexperienced buyers in choosing the right variety. It is worth noting that drinks produced in generally recognized regions (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Languedoc, etc.) are automatically classified as AOC. Belonging to a particular quality level is always indicated on the label, as well as the territory in which the grapes were grown. On some bottles you can find the inscription "premier cru" or "grand cru" - this is an additional classification that indicates the highest grades of the product.

Bordeaux wines

These varieties are native Frenchknown as "gifts of the seas". The fact is that the wine-growing lands are located between three rivers: Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde. Among the elite regions, it is worth highlighting Bourget-Blaye, Libourne, Entre-de-Maire, Sauternay and others. This large area produces only Bordeaux wine. Since the beginning of the 19th century, France has become famous throughout the world thanks to such varieties as Chateau Margaux, Sémillon and Cabernet Franc.

Bordeaux wines are noticeably different from others. The reason for this may be factors such as the mild climate and the special structure of the soil. In addition, only the best winemakers from all over the country work in this region. These varieties also benefit from the proximity of the ocean, which has a beneficial effect on the quality of the vintage. Bordeaux is rightfully considered one of the best assemblage wines in Europe. Traditional white varieties include Sémillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon. Red wines of France produced on the territory of Bordeaux: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Verdot Petit and others. Each of these varieties surprises with its longevity, delicate taste and unique texture. A separate step is the Chateau Margaux line, which is considered the most elite "gift of the seas".

Burgundy wines

These varieties belong only to the highest class "Premium". Burgundy wines of France are distinguished by a soft fruity aftertaste and a slight astringency. Joseph Drouhin and Faiveley, which appeared only in the late 90s, perfectly harmonize apple-melon liqueur, oak bark and almond flakes. And the creamy texture and light aroma of smoke make this drink unforgettable and incomparable.

La Chablisienne variety has a mysterious golden color with a slight greenish tint. It has an exquisite aroma, which combines apple, pear, peach, orange peel, and flowering clover. Due to the restrained oily taste, the strength of 12 degrees is not felt at all.

Pascal Bouchard is also worth noting, especially the 1998 release. This wine is one of the few Burgundy wines that fits into the "Grand" category. People call it rustic because of its very sharp aroma, but the taste of this drink is very spicy. You can't ignore La Chablisienne. This golden drink is rich in aromatic ingredients, including mint, almonds, jasmine, vanilla, and even lime.

Wines of the Loire Valley

It is believed that the first vines in this region were planted by Saint Martin himself back in 380 AD. e. The red wines of France produced here are characterized by a floral-fruity aroma with subtle notes of tannins.

Chinon and Bourgueil rosés stand out from the huge variety of varieties of the Laura Valley. In a place called Montlouis, vines grow from which dessert wine is produced. Here, you can’t see the inscription “semi-sweet” on the labels, since such varieties are referred to as “soft” in this region. The situation is similar with sweet wines, which are called liqueur wines in the Laura Valley. The shelf life of such varieties is from 10 years. In rare cases, the bottle can be opened after 4 years. The noblest white wine of France and the valley is Saint-Nicolas de Bourgueil. Of the other varieties of the AOC category onof the Loire territory, it would not be out of place to mention Daniel Allias, Foreau and Francis Mabille.

Wines of the Rhone Valley

This fertile sub-region in France was discovered relatively recently - at the beginning of the new millennium. Crozes Hermitage and Gigondas stand out from the first wines. These drinks are strong and rich. The aroma blends raspberries, cherries, spices, oak bark and licorice.

Towards the end of 2001, the wines of the Chateaunef du Pape line were born. This dark red drink is remembered for its pronounced aroma of plums with an admixture of smoked meats and spices. Stored up to 15 years. The white wine of France, produced in the Rhone Valley, is distinguished by a smooth overflow of yellowish tones and a striking refinement of taste. The signature ingredients are acacia honey and violet petals. The best representatives of the variety are Hermitage 2000 and Condrieu 2002.

Wines of Roussillon and Languedoc

Before Algeria gained independence, these varieties took first place at any exhibitions and international tastings. Today, the reality is that there is not enough money in this region to create all the necessary conditions for growing grapes, not to mention its processing. Unfortunately, a favorable climate and fertile soil are the only things that the once-famous territories of Roussillon and Languedoc can boast of.

Many local varieties of French wines have sunk into oblivion forever since the early 1980s. However, there are still a few small lands that fit the AOC category. The most famous winesproduced in them are Cotes du Rousillon and Coteaux du Languedoc. The Roussillon and Languedoc valleys produce mainly red and pink varieties.

Champagne wines

In this area, the land is strictly divided into villages, where only exclusive varieties are grown and processed using a secret technology. As you know, the most famous French wines are red and white champagnes. People in these specialized villages dedicate their whole lives to the production of these drinks.

Blanc de Blancs is in the top three champagnes. The property has been owned by the Montquis family for decades. A bottle of Blanc 1995 is valued at thousands of dollars, and all thanks to the exquisite taste of the drink.

Also, the leading three include champagne based on the noble Pinot Meunier variety, which grows only in the land of Jean Moutardier in Surmelin. Don't forget about the pinkish drink of the Mutarov dynasty. Côte de Bar produces one of the best light champagnes in the country.

Wines of Savoy and Jura

These regions are located a little east of Burgundy, near the river Saone. Thanks to its favorable location, winemakers can delight their fans with fresh Chardonnay and Chateau Chalon all year round. Both white and red varieties grow well near the Jura Mountains, so the owners of the land have a large testing ground for “creativity”. It is worth noting that the sweetest wines in France are produced in Savoy. The most popular among the local varieties are red Poulsard, Pinot Noir andTrousseau, as well as whites - Savagnin and Chardonnay. A distinctive feature of Jura wines is their high alcohol content - up to 16% alcohol. This is achieved thanks to a special type of yeast fungus called mycoderma vini.

The region's most famous variety is the white Chateau Chalon.

Wines of Provence

For many people, these varieties are associated with small villages and fields dotted with flowers. Unfortunately, the dry wines of France, which are produced within Provence, are not as in demand as similar drinks from Burgundy or Bordeaux, but they have their devoted admirers.

The most important representative of the variety is Bandol. This full-bodied red wine belongs to the AOC category. Characterized by a rich aroma of spices, fruits and pine needles. Aged in oak barrels from 2 years, but the perfect aftertaste is achieved only by the age of ten. Cote de Provence red wines can also be distinguished. They are made from grape varieties such as Syrah, Carignana, Counoise, Vermentino, Mourvèdre and others.

The most famous and expensive French wines

Today, rich people from all over the world are ready to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for exclusive varieties of Chateau and Monopole. The best French wines are very expensive, but tasting them is sometimes only one opportunity in life.

Chateau Mouton-Rothschild is in third place. A 1945 bottle is valued at $115,000. Any self-respecting taster and collector will call this drinka real miracle of winemaking.

Chateau Lafitte, 1787, settled on the second line. Today, French wines from this line can be bought at any store, but at that time it was the only bottle in the world with Chateau Lafite. Its cost is estimated at 160 thousand dollars. The most expensive and exclusive wine in France is Monopoly champagne from the 1907 vintage. The value of the bottle is given by the fact that it was once presented to Tsar Nicholas II, but subsequently lost during transportation during the First World War. Nevertheless, in 1998, a group of divers accidentally stumbled upon a valuable cargo. Now a bottle of Monopole costs at least 275 thousand dollars.