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The French Wine RegionsExploring the vineyards of France is great fun. You can go on tastings, either as part of a tour or independently, and
there are plenty of interesting towns and attractions to see as well. A perfect holiday combination!
And to make this guide just a little bit more unique, we've included our tips and suggestions on exploring those lesser known vineyards...venturing away from the famous wine trails and finding those hidden gems.
The French Wine Regions
The most well known french wine regions are Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire, Rhone Valley, and Languedoc Roussillon.
We've put together a list of our favourites here, which will give you a good overview of the wine of france. Please click on the links below to find out more about each region.
Alsace
The Alsace wine region is known for producing clean, fresh white wines mainly. Pretty countryside, friendly locals, and lots of german influences.
Bergerac
The wine region of Bergerac is one of our favourites - not as famous as the other regions. Bergerac is in a beautiful part of the country so lots of opportunities for sightseeing as well as from wine tasting.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of the most important wine producing regions in the world. You'll find a huge variety (and quantity) of wines (not just reds), for all budgets and tastes. St-Emilion is a must-see in the area.
Burgundy
Elegant red and white wines, often very expensive, however if you can venture off the beaten path a little, you'll find some bargains.
CassisCassis produces excellent white wines (not cassis!) - dry and delicate.
Champagne
If you love your glass of bubbly, this is the ultimate french wine region. Experience the glitz of the big name houses or escape to Aube for a more down to earth experience.
Rhone Valley
A very diverse region, from the expensive wines in the north, to the easy drinking reds of the Cotes du Rhone. Venture further south and sample the lesser known wines of Provence.
French Wine Regions....The TerminologyHere are some terms you may come across if you decide to explore the world of french wine.
The Wine Classifications
The classification of wines in France is based on a strict (and confusing) set of criteria, and the labelling of wines and terminology will vary from region to region. The classifications should be used as a guide only - there are some excellent 'lower' classification wines, and some of the higher classification wines may not always be what they're cracked up to be.
When to Go?September/October is harvest time, and many vineyards are closed to visitors so it is best to avoid these months. The best time to go would be spring or early summer - April, May or early June; July/August is fine but the more popular french wine regions can get very busy.
Are wine tastings free?
It really depends on where you go. Many of the larger wine houses will charge for a tour and/or tasting. (Degustation=tasting in french). You may also need to book, so if there is a particular vineyard you would like to visit, contact them in advance to check. Some places may not charge however there might be an assumption that you are serious about buying a bottle or two.
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