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