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Home , Auxerrois Blanc, Chardonnay, Fer, French wine, Loire Valley (wine), Mauzac (grape)

For the geo-geeks that recognize there are indeed other French “ Regions” not depicted on the preceding map…please try and get over it! The Wine Regions shown are essentially the most

Rick’s Skinny prominent – and besides, I only have so much space! [email protected] Rather than try and explain the maze and muddle of French laws – just know that each Wine Region is more or less associated with specific varieties of . All to say -- except for from , July 2012 which list the grape on the label, if you want to know “ makes you think of silly things, what grapes are in the you’re drinking makes you talk of them…and or are about to buy, just note the Region from which the wine is sourced…and trust that razor sharp makes you do them!” Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, French gastronome, (1755-1826) memory of yours (or Rick’s French Wine Cheat Sheet)…to identify the main grapes from that region

– and Voila! And since most French wines are French Wine Regions & Their blends…you’ll at least have a decent notion of some of the grapes used in making your mystery wine! Principal Grapes!

I’ve been asked a lot of questions about French wines Champagne – (W) , (R) , over the years…but none more frequently than this Petite Meunier proverbial favorite: How does one know the grapes used to make various and sundry French wines? I’ve Alsace – (W) Gewürztraminer, , , hesitated to take this question on…except in small , , , Sylvaner, sips as it were…largely because it’s all but impossible (R) Pinot Noir to do this subject justice in my one page format. But, never one to refuse a challenge, I’m nonetheless going Burgundy – (W) Chardonnay, Aligoté, (R) Pinot to share with one and all a Quick and Dirty French Noir, Wine Region Cheat Sheet …which hopefully might be a resource you can take with you and use as you -Savoy – (W) Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, browse and stroll your way through countless French (R) Pinot Noir wines at your favorite wine shops and restaurants. Bonne Chance! Rhone Valley – (R) , , Mourvêdre, Cinsault, , , , Major French Wine Regions (W) Bourbourlenc, Clairette

Provence – (R) Grenache, Mourvêdre, Syrah, Cinsault, , (W) Ugni Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Sémillon

Languedoc-Roussillon – (R) Grenache, Syrah, Mourvêdre, Carignan, Cinsault, (W) *, , , *red & white

Southwest – (R) , Servadou s, (W) , Petit Manseng

Bordeaux – (R) , , , , , (W) , Sémillon,

Loire Valley – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Gamay, , Sauvignon Blanc, Melon de Courtesy of Vinodiversity Bourgogne, Chenin Blanc

Toast of the Month White Falanghina Ocone 2011 Immensely Floral & Scrumptious! (Campagnia – Beneveto, )$12-$14 This ancient Italian is little known, rarely seen, “Here's to who said it was their time to buy. highly distinctive…but otherwise molto delizioso! From Lift’em up…and drain’em dry!” (Anonymous) just north and east of Naples, the venerable Ocone family has been making distinguished wines for over a century…and that tenured experience is abundantly demonstrated in this crisp, subtly tart and delectable wine. From fruit that is organically, biodynamically and sustainably farmed, this splendid Try These Star Spangled wine screams artisanal quality – and given its modest price point, it’s one a heck of a bargain. I call it a Super Summer Sippers! “fool’s wine” -- i.e. only a fool wouldn’t try it!” http://www.oconevini.it/inglese/winery.html La Ferme Julien Rosé 2011 Crisp & Refreshing! (AOC Ventoux – Rhône Valley -- )/$7-$10 White Blend Whoever originated the term “dry Rosé” have been Primal Roots 2011 Lip Smackingly Delicious! sipping a wine just like this impressive little exemplar! (Acampo, California)/$8- $10 Characterized by floral aromatics and a fruit-filled palate Talk about a mouthwatering that’s a perfect of flavor, this sassy but savory blend of Rhone mainstays Summer Sipper…this is it folks! It might be a new kid – Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah – is not only a great on the block, and some may choose to scoff at this off- Summer porch wine…it is also a superb food wine! dry blend of 50% Viognier, 20% French , Produced by the esteemed Perrin family, whose 5th 15% Riesling, and 15% Gewürztraminer…but they generation is now helping carry the torch, this simple, would be in a huge minority! This is a well-made, unfiltered and simply delicious Rosé reflects the envied beautifully balanced and delectable wine…that’s as talent of one of the most practiced and respected versatile as they come! From porch swing to lighter families in the Rhône Valley…if not all of seafood dishes to spicy Asian fare, this little gem is a France. Does the name Château de Beaucastel ring a match made in heaven. And as a bonus, here’s a great bell? Yep…same family making wine for a hundred recipe: Chill and Swill! years! Talk about bang for your buck!! http://www.primalrootswines.com/ http://www.pfv.org/html/beaucastel-history.html Red Blend Charles & Charles 2011 Rosé of Syrah XWinery 2009 Red Blend A Dazzlingly Dizzy & Delicious Doozie of a Rosé! Deep, Dark and Devilishly Delicious! (Columbia Valley – Mattawa, WA)/$10-$12 (Napa Valley – Napa, CA) $13-$16 Born of both irreverence and respect, this could be the The unusual and distinctive name of this stems proverbial bastard stepchild of Rosé wines – complete from a Business Class assignment that with tortuous teasing and slanderous sentiments – but founder/proprietor Reed Renaudin undertook in guess what…it’s not! Yes, this wine is indeed the wild college…which he called Project X. The X theme stuck, and wooly result of two of winedom’s most “colorful” XWinery was born and Reed has become one of characters – Charles Bieler and Charles Smith -- who California’s top up-and-coming . One sip of collaborated to produce their own prodigious liquid this distinctive and luscious blend is all it will take to progeny, but as unique and distinctive as they may be, make you a raving fan! Comprised of 52% Syrah, 18% these two wise guys of wine certainly put their collective Mourvedre, 17% , and 12% Grenache – each best talents together in crafting this absolute of a varietal wine is aged separately for 21 months in a wine. When I first laid eyes on this faintly-hued, combination of 20% French, 10% American and 70% apricot-colored wine, I smiled with a certain and neutral . Three to four months prior to bottling, the knowing degree of contempt. But boy was I wrong! are blended and apportioned to achieve that Except for the fact that one rarely sees a single varietal perfect union…the X Factor...and Voila!...a finished Rosé hailing from France, this is otherwise a wonderful wine that’s as Xciting and Xtraordinary as they come! French-style Rosé if ever there was one! What a value! http://www.xwinery.com/ http://bielerandsmith.com/