holiday rental burgundy
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Without a doubt France is the greatest wine producing country in the world. Ranging from the best quality vintages down to a humble vin de pays (local wine) there are about 700 wines. The wines are basically made the same way, but how they turn out depends on the choice and colour of the grape and how long they are allowed to remain in the fermenting vats. As a general rule rosé wines do not keep very well, white wines have a relatively short life, and it is the heavier reds that you buy to lay down for years to come.
Wines greatest attribute, its variety, is also one of its drawbacks. Wine lists in restaurants or on shop shelves can look daunting. However most producers now put the names of the main grapes from which their wines are made on the labels. To begin with, the names of the seven main grape varieties from which most wines are made will help you decide. They are Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc and Riesling for whites, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah (or Shiraz) for reds.
Types
Basically there are 2 categories, still or sparkling. There is a third type you may come across called pétillant - a wine with a slightly natural bubble which you can just feel on the tongue.
Wherever you stay in France you will find wine to accompany your meal. It may be a flowery German style Riesling of Alsace, a light rosé from Provence (which will give an immediate touch of summer Sunday, a light hearted and fruity Beaujolais, through to the heavier clarets and the important red wines from Bordeaux.
Regions
The largest wine producing areas are in the centre of France - Bordeaux and Burgundy (Bourgogne). The best known is probably Champagne however. Here is a list of each wine growing area.
1. Alsace
2. Beaujolais
3. Bordeaux
4. Burgundy
5. Cahors
6. Chablis
7. Champagne
8. Côtes du Rhone
9. Côtes de Jura
10. Jurançon
11. Languedoc
12. Pouilly & Sancerre
13. Provence
14. Rousillon
15. Savoie
16. Val de Loire
17. Vacqueyras
Beaujolais
Best for soft, fruity reds that generally mature early (Drink at 1-3 years, 2 to 8 for crus). Famous for fresh, fruity Beaujolais Nouveau, released on the third Thursday of November after the harvest. Of conventional Beaujolais wines Beaujolais AC is the best appellation. The finest examples are Brouilly, Chenas, Chiroubles, Cote de Brouilly, Fleurie, Julienas, Morgon, Moulin-a-Vent, Regnié and St-Amour. Made from the Gamay grape. Beaujolais Villages is a step up in quality from ordinary Beaujolais. Best are the named village wines such as Juliénas, Fleurie and Brouilly. Grapes; Chardonnay and local Gamay. Local suppliers; Marc Doudet, www.duboeuf.com, Henri Fessy, Paul Janin, www.louis-jadot.com, Jean-Charles Pivot, Chateau Thiven.
Bordeaux
This world famous region is home to hundreds of excellent red and white wines,
The Reds
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabinet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Verdot grapes produce honeyed wines with blackcurrent and cedarwood perfume - the most important areas are; Haut-Médoc, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, St-Emilion and Pomerol. Tend to taste of tannin when young - best for laying down. If buying a young Bordeaux wine open it at least two hours before you drink it.