| Wine is undoubtedly one of the great national | | | | is customary to spit out most wine, rather |
| treasures of France, which over the years has | | | | than swallow it, although you can swallow a |
| become an integral part of French culture and | | | | small amount on occasions to experience what |
| is rooted in history with around half a | | | | it is like after it has gone down. |
| million vineyards. | | | | |
| | | | The Loire Valley is a massive wine producing |
| Although you can find many great value wines | | | | region that produces a variety of wine such |
| and numerous different varieties to choose | | | | as Muscadet, Cabernet Franc, Gamay reds and |
| from whatever your palette, there are also | | | | even reasonably priced Sauvignon Blancs. And |
| some of the most expensive wines in the world | | | | with the beautiful chateaux plus the tranquil |
| that are produced in France, and the vast | | | | winding river it makes the Loire region one |
| majority of people will never be able to | | | | of the most visited areas in France for |
| experience in their lifetime. | | | | experiencing wines and fine French food to |
| | | | accompany them with the stunning backdrops so |
| In fact, a vintage Romanee Conti red wine | | | | synonymous with this region. |
| produced from the pinot noir grape in | | | | |
| Burgundy can cost anything upwards of 1,000 | | | | Yet for hundreds of years Bordeaux has had a |
| for just one bottle. And a rare vintage case | | | | long and internationally famous history of |
| of 12 sold at auction in London for a | | | | high quality wines and is also a very popular |
| staggering 58,500 making this the most | | | | place to go, although you can still pick up a |
| expensive case of wine sold at auction up | | | | good value Bordeaux wine if you travel to the |
| until the year 2007. | | | | outskirts of the region. |
| | | | |
| Both Bordeaux and Burgundy have always | | | | And yes, who could not think about champagne, |
| contested that they produce the best wines | | | | which is so tightly controlled for what can |
| and in their own ways the are probably both | | | | be classed as a true champagne, you will get |
| correct, and yet apart from the Champagne | | | | to appreciate why some varieties are so |
| region, famous for the sparkling wine of the | | | | expensive and are only produced in this |
| same name, Bordeaux wines are far more widely | | | | region for consumption throughout the world. |
| known than those from Burgundy. | | | | However, there are some vineyards that will |
| | | | charge far less for a bottle of their |
| No matter what region in France you go on | | | | champagne with the same finesse, compared to |
| holiday to, you will be able to sample a wide | | | | that of the famous brands we have all come to |
| variety of different wines and it is a good | | | | know. |
| idea to get to know your preferences before | | | | |
| trying different ones. Whether you prefer a | | | | The Languedoc region in France is one of the |
| red wine or a white wine, sweet or dry, still | | | | biggest wine producing regions and to put |
| or sparkling the choice is immense. | | | | this into perspective, it has over two times |
| | | | more land planted to vines than the whole of |
| Going to a wine tasting session can be great | | | | Australia! Even though in the past, they |
| fun trying out different varieties, yet for | | | | concentrated more on quantity rather than |
| some it can also be a little daunting, | | | | quality, this is changing where you can pick |
| especially if it is not on an arranged tour | | | | up a reasonably priced wine that can match up |
| of which there are plenty to choose from. | | | | to some at double or even triple the cost. |
| However, there are some general pointers that | | | | |
| will get you through. | | | | But France is a country that has such a |
| | | | different range of wines from the many wine |
| When wine tasting, you should always start | | | | regions and each one will provide a taste, |
| off with the lightest wines such as sparkling | | | | aroma and body like no other and some regions |
| wines and work through to full bodied whites, | | | | themselves offer such a diverse range it can |
| then through the reds from the light to the | | | | be quite mind boggling, yet a fascinating |
| full bodied and end on dessert wines. This | | | | experience. |
| will help to keep your taste buds more | | | | |
| sensitive so you can better appreciate each | | | | Obviously, white wine has long been |
| wine and in some places they even supply | | | | associated with fish and chicken, whereas red |
| water in between so as to get the full | | | | wine is normally paired with red meats and |
| flavour and texture of each wine you are | | | | game. Yet when you are in France |
| tasting. | | | | experiencing the fantastic culinary delights |
| | | | of the regions speciality French food, take |
| You should swill the wine round in the glass | | | | the time to choose a wine that will enhance |
| a couple of times, which will help aerate it | | | | the experience or ask for advice and enjoy. |
| and provide you with the full aroma. Plus it | | | | |