Do you remember my February post when I explained to you which wines were considered Old World and which were New World? Beginning with this post I will explore the grapes of Old World Regions. Back then, I told you that one of the problems that we find with bottles that come from the Old World or Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, etc. is that they don’t usually list their grape varieties on the label, requiring you to do some investigation.
So, here comes Silvina lawina to the rescue, I’m about to give you a cheat sheet so that you will always know or at least have an idea of the grapes in these wines, which should simplify your wine shopping.
So, I’m starting with the country that was blessed with some of the best conditions for wine production: La France! Envied by many, la France is still the source of some of the finest wines in the world, now if you truly want to taste the good stuff, you will need to spend a little more: good French wine is not cheap! but if you know where to look, you an also find true gems. Now, if you are a rich wino, I’m basically green with envy! If I was a rich man lalalala, I will only drink French Champagne and fine Burgundy (Jacques Prieur Clos Vougeot 2013, for example).
So, I’m starting with the country that was blessed with some of the best conditions for wine production: La France! Envied by many, la France is still the source of some of the finest wines in the world, now if you truly want to taste the good stuff, you will need to spend a little more: good French wine is not cheap! but if you know where to look, you an also find true gems. Now, if you are a rich wino, I’m basically green with envy! If I was a rich man lalalala, I will only drink French Champagne and fine Burgundy (Jacques Prieur Clos Vougeot 2013, for example).
Now it’s time to learn the grapes:
Appellation
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Grapes allowed by law
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Bordeaux
(all appellations)
Right bank:St Emilion, Pomerol. Left bank: Margaux, Pauillac,etc. |
Reds are a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenere. Right bank wines are mostly Merlot and Left bank wines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon.
Whites both dry and sweet are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle.
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Burgundy
(all appellations)
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No blends here, Reds are 100% Pinot Noir and Whites: 100% Chardonnay.
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Beaujolais
(Fleurie, Morgon, Beaujolais Villages, etc)
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No blends here, 100% Gamay grapes.
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Loire (Muscadet)
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Melon de Bourgogne grape
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Loire (Pouilly Fume and Sancerre)
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Whites from Sauvignon Blanc
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Loire (Vouvrey, Cote du Layon, Bonnezaux, etc)
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Both Dry and Sweet Whites are made from Chenin Blanc
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Loire Saumur,Chignon, Touraine, Bourgueil, etc
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Roses and Reds made from Cabernet Franc, but also Malbec and Gamay.
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Alsace
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It’s the exception to the rule, here the grapes are allowed to be listed on the label. Most wines are white and made from Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Muscat, some are blended. Reds are made from 100% Pinot Noir
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Northern Rhone
(Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage, St Joseph, Condrieu, Cornas,etc)
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Whites are made from Viognier, but also from Marsanne and Roussanne, Reds from 100% Syrah.
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Southern Rhone
(Tavel, Chateauneuf Du Pape, Ventoux, Cotes du Rhone, Gigondas, Lirac CDR Villages,etc)
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Several grapes are allowed, most wines are blends: the most important are Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault. Most Rosés are made from Grenache.
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Provence (Bandol,Aix de Provence)
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Reds from Mourvedre, Grenache. Rosés from Grenache.
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Languedoc Roussillon
(Minervois, Roussillon,etc)
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Syrah, Cinsault, Mourvedre, Carignan.
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Champagne
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NV are usually a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Blanc de Blancs: 100% Chardonnay. Blanc de Noirs: 100% Pinot Noir or a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, same blend is used to make Rosé Champagne
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Now I also added a bonus, a chart with more info about the style the grapes above made.
Balanced
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Balanced
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Balanced
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Balanced
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Medium or M+
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Balanced
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Medium or M+
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Balanced
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Medium or M+
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Light
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Alors, it’s time to taste some French wines!, here a few recommendations from Frederick Wildman. Thank you for providing samples for me to taste:
Hugel Pinot Gris 2016 $20
Jolivet Sancerre "Les Caillotes" 2018 $36
Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge 2016 $22
Hecht and Bannier Languedoc 2017$20
Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2014 $40
Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge 2016 $22
Hecht and Bannier Languedoc 2017$20
Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2014 $40
à votre santé, cheers! Silvina
