France is a famous wine producing nation in the world because the regions have favorable climate that favor the growing of grapes. France produces all styles of wine from the stylish wines of Alsace to strong wines of Rhone. They offer alternative ethos in terms of wine than any other nation in the world. France has an orderly way of producing wine placing it at the top of other countries. France has seven regions that primarily produce wine. The regions are Bordeaux, Alsace, Rhone valley, Burgundy, champagne, Provence and Loire. The regions grow different types of grapes making them produce a distinct wine in the world. In France, wine is an important commodity, and it is the mother country for wines. France has the biggest number in wine consumption, and it invented the wine barrel. It has succeeded in this field because of rules involved in growing, producing, labeling and grape variety. These rules ensure the production of excellent quality wines. The body Appellation d`Origine Controlee gives regulation and standards regarding the naming of the wine. The appellations do not control quality but they guarantee origin and specify the ways in which the wine production has followed. The appellations specify varieties of grapes, winemaking, planting and soil type. The appellations also specify that the wine has passed the test. France has a reputation of being the world producer of wines. They have maintained that by having policies that ensure that they remain significant in the market for all those years. They produce new wines to the changing world and provide wine produced from perfect conditions.
Alsace- the location of this region is on the eastern slopes of the Vosges Mountains, Rhine valley. This is a unique are from the rest of the wine producing regions of France. The tradition of wine is a German type. They specialize in the production dry and fruity wines. The common wines from this region include Sylvaner, fruity Gewurztraminer and Riesling. The rules of the body that controls wine production here are different from the rest of the wine producing regions in France. They have their own appellations that indicate the variety of the wine and the region or the village where the wine originated.
Burgundy- this region is famous in the production of red Burgundy and white Burgundy This region is on the eastern part of France. It covers over 100 miles of the France land. The dominating varieties of grape grown in this region include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay (McCarthy et al, 2012). Burgundy has a moderate climate with cold winters and warm summers. This gives high maintenance of Pinot Noir grape to grow well. Red Burgundy wines are expensive because of the costs involved in the production. Louis Jadot is the consistent producer of red Burgundy. The white Burgundy has flavors of honey, crisp and peaches with seafood. Beaujolais is an affordable red wine and very comfortable for the beginners of wine adventure. It has a lot of fruit flavor and honey and very comfortable in warm weather.
Rhone Valley- this region lies in the Southeastern France. It provides distinct conditions for the production of some of the France best red wines. The variety of grapes grown here includes syrah, Grenache and Viognier. The conditions in this region produce sweet wine. The South Rhone allows flourishing of Grenache grapes and the North Rhone specializes in Syrah grapes. This makes the region to specialize in the two poplar wines the Cote Rotie and the Hermitage.
Bordeaux- this is the most famous area in France. The location of this region is along the Atlantic Ocean. It lies in the south West of France. It is the host of the famous wines like Cheval Blanc, Petrus, Mouton Rothschild, Yquem and Haut Brion. Red wines from Bordeaux undergo blending from Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. This area also produces dry and sweet white wine.
Provence- this is a region known for rose wines. The producers of these wines in Provence include Chateaux de Roquefort and Chateu Pradeaux. The variety of soil allows for the growth of grapes. The warm climate also offers favorable conditions for the growth. Provence region borders the Mediterranean Sea and it is a beautiful scene.
Champagne- this region is the home for most Northern France vineyards. The champagnes undergo blending unlike other wines to produce vintage champagnes. The blending occurs to wine from different years to attain the required standard. The quality of champagne depends on the skill of the mixers and the excellence of the grapes. Williams, a wine researcher admits and says, “The chalky soil conditions and continental climatic conditions around the champagne region offer it favorable conditions for growth of grapes” (Williams, 2009). The popular blends include the Krug, mumm and Heidsieck. Champagnes are white and rose champagnes exist.
Loire Valley- this region produces white wines. The popular wines from this region include Pouily Fume, Sancerre and Muscadet. This valley rests in the Northwest of France. They produce a variety of wines including dry, sweet and rose wine. Henderson says this about the climate of Loire valley; “the climate here is cold and it favors the growth of grapes used in the production of white wine” (Henderson & Rex, 2007). According to research conducted by Loire Centre, soil is the important thing that allows the growth of grapes. They have a different style of producing their wine and the styles include the sancere the medium bodied made from Sauvignon grapes, Muscadet from melon de Bourgogne grape and Pouilly from the Sauvignon grapes.
The climate of the above regions offers the best climatic conditions for the growth of the grapes. The producers employ the best means possible to ensure they produce wine that complies with the standards set by the regulating body. The wine from France is both for local and international market. France gets a good amount of revenue from wine export. France will continue leading in the production of wine. They focus on quality wine and they continuously improve on it. they have a variety of wines in different prices.
References
Henderson, J. P., & Rex, D. (2007). About wine. Thomson / Delmar Learning.
McCarthy, E., & Ewing-Mulligan, M. (2012). Wine for dummies. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.
Williams, N. (2009). France. Footscray, Vic: Lonely Planet.
