Saint-Emilion is the oldest wine area of the Bordeaux region. The UNESCO organization recognized the great terroir of Saint Emilion and put the site on the World Heritage List (see Dec 2, 1999 report).

Saint Emilion wines are considered the most robust of the Bordeaux. They are generous, very colored, and reach their maturity quicker than other red Bordeaux.

The classification in St-Emilion is complex. Do not confuse St.- Emilion-Grand-Cru and St.-Emilion-Grand-Cru-Classé fewer and much better.

Here is the list of Saint-Emilion Great Growths.

Saint Emilion wine information :

Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé Appellation: Appellation Saint Emilion Grand Cru Controlée Appellation Saint Emilion Controlée

Location: Dordogne valley

Places: Saint Emilion and 8 villages around

Limestone Soil: Clayey-limestone Gravels (in Cheval Blanc)

Size: 5,500 ha (13,600 acres)

Production: 36 million bottles Only red wine

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Type of Full-body red wine wine: Best age for a Saint Saint-Emilion AOC: 3 to 8 years Saint-Emilion Grand Cru: 5 to 12 years Emilion Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé: 15 to 25 years and more Wine:

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1982 (recommended) Truffles Aromas: Toasted bread Cooked red fruits Mushrooms Bird game Saint Salmon Emilion and Sauerkraut Food: Spare ribs Roasted lamb Cantal Saint Comté Emilion and Ossau-Iraty Cheese: Reblochon Tomme de Savoie

This recent appellation is rising. Côtes de Castillon gives an excellent price/quality ratio as new wine makers are settling down to make among the most interesting wines in the Bordeaux region today.

All wines from Côtes de Castillon may also carry the regional appellations of "Bordeaux" or "Bordeaux supérieur".

Côtes de Castillon wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Castillon Controlée (since 1989)

Location: Right bank of the Dordogne river

St Magne de Castillon, Castillon la Batille and 7 Places: other villages Sandy gravels and clay Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 2,900 ha (7,500 acres)

Vineyards: Most of the domains are less than 10 ha (25 acres)

Production: 22 million bottles No white wine Grapes in Côtes de Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Castillon: Malbec

Type of wine: Red wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended) Strawberry Aromas: Dried plum Vanilla Grilled red meat Côtes de Castillon Spare ribs and Turkey Food: Leg of lamb Cantal Côtes de Salers Castillon andCheese: Tomme de Savoie

Close to Saint Emilion and Côtes de Castillon, Côtes de Francs is one of the highest vineyard in Bordeaux.

Côtes de Francs takes advantage of the lowest rain in the area and a soil rich in clay and limestone. Côtes de Francs is a full-flavored red wine.

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Côtes de Francs wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Francs Controlée

Location: 10km east of St Emilion On one of the highest point in Bordeaux

Places: Francs, Saint Cibard, Tayac

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 490 ha (1,200 acres)

Production: 3.6 million bottles Almost 100% red wine Grapes Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, inCôtes de Petit Verdot Francs: Type of Full flavored red wine wine:

Age: 4 to 8 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000 (recommended) Black currant Aromas: Licorice Food: Red meat

Cheese: Cantal Salers

With 800 ha (less than 2,000 acres) Pomerol is the smallest wine producing area in the Bordeaux region. Actually, Pomerol is more a community where the vineyards are family-shared. A ranking is not warmly welcome. You will not find typical huge Bordeaux chateaux as in the Médoc area. However Pomerol hosts one of the most famous of all: Pétrus

The Pomerol wine can be more robust than others in Bordeaux. They have an exclusive velvety quality. Pomerol is at its very best when the bottle reaches the age of 15 !

Pomerol wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Pomerol Controlée no ranking in Pomerol!

Location: Along the Isle river

Places: Pomerol, Libourne, etc

Soil: Very diverse from gravels to clay (in Pétrus)

Size: 800 ha less than 2,000 acres

Production: 5.3 million bottles Strictly reserved to red wine Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec

Type of Full-body red wine wine: Strong bouquet

Age: More than 10 years and up to 20 years 15 years is the optimum for a Pomerol

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989 (recommended) Well-ripen red fruits Aromas: Licorice Dried fruits Game Pomerol Partridge Wine and Veal Food: Roasted turkey Pears in wine Cantal Comté Pomerol Maroilles Wine and Ossau-Iraty Cheese: Saint-Nectaire Langres

Fronsac wine region is a lovely area of hills along the Dordogne and l'Isle rivers, west of Saint Émilion.

Until the 19th centuries, Fronsac wine was one of the most popular in the region. Merlot is the most important grape giving to the wine body and richness although the wine keeps a strong personality.

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Fronsac wine information :

Appellation Fronsac Controlée Appellation: Appellation Canon-Fronsac Controlée (from Fronsac and Saint Michel de Fronsac villages only)

Location: Hills along Dordogne and l'Isle rivers

Places: Fronsac, St Michel de Fronsac, Saillans, etc

Soil: Clay / Limestone

Size: 1,200 ha (3,000 acres)

Production: 6 million bottles Canon-Fronsac: 2 million bottles Grapes in Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Fronsac: Type of Strong red wine wine: Powerful bouquet

Age: 2 to10 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998 (recommended) Woody Aromas: Red fruits Vanilla Grilled red meat Fronsac Feathered game Wine and Rabbit in mustard sauce Food: White meat Pears with wine Cantal Comté Fronsac Maroilles Wine and Reblochon Cheese: Saint-Nectaire Langres

Côtes de Bourg is located on the right bank of the Dordogne river at the point where it meets the Gironde river in the Bordeaux region.

South of Blaye, the small appellation around the village of Bourg produces a better medium-body red wine than its neighbor. The wine from Côtes de Bourg is quite tannic with strong aromas of red fruits.

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Côtes de Bourg wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Côtes de Bourg Controlée

Location: 30 Km (19 miles) north of Bordeaux, where Gironde and Dordogne meet

Places: Bourg sur Gironde, Lansac, Tauriac, Teuillac, etc.

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 3,700 ha (9,000 acres)

Production: 31 million bottles

Grapes in Côtes de Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec Bourg: Type of Medium-body tannic red wine wine: Limited production of dry white wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended) Aromas: Red fruits

Grilled red meat Food: Veal, Turkey Sausage, Paté Comté Côtes de Laguiole Bourg and Morbier Cheese: Reblochon

The Médoc is situated north of the town of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde. Médoc is divided in two parts, the Haut- Médoc in the south, near the town, and the north part traditionally called Médoc.

Wines from Médoc are red. They are delicate, medium colored, they are fine and elegant; often tannic when young, harmonious and splendid when matured.

Grands crus classés in Médoc count for 25% of the vineyards, 20% of the production and about 50% of the sales. However none sells under the Médoc appellation but Haut-Médoc, Pauillac, Margaux, Saint Julien, Saint-Estèphe and Chateau Haut-Brion in Pessac Léognan.

List of Médoc Great Growths

Médoc wine information :

Appellation Médoc Controlée Appellation: 140 Crus Bourgeois North of Médoc wine area, between Blanquefort and Saint Location: Seurin de Cadourne Places: Blanquefort, Bégadan, Saint Christoly de Médoc, etc

Gravels Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 4,900 ha (12,000 acres)

Vineyards: About 650 vine growers

40 million bottles Production: No white wine Most important red wine producing area Grapes Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit inMédoc: Verdot Type of Fruity full-body red wine wine:

Age: 5 to 10 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995 (recommended) Oak Red fruits Aromas: Spices Vanilla Red meat Roasted beef Food: Ham Rabbit in mustard sauce Beaufort Emmental Médoc Wine Ossau-Iraty and Cheese: Roquefort Saint Nectaire

Haut-Médoc is actually south of the the Médoc region. 5 Grands Crus Classés (Great Growths) are based in Haut-Médoc. All the others are in the adjacent and smaller in size appellations: Pauillac, Margaux,Saint Julien, Saint Estèphe.

Haut-Médoc - such as in Médoc - is a land of red wine. They are generous, not too powerful red wines with a delicate bouquet of vanilla and black fruits.

List of Médoc Great Growths

Haut-Médoc wine information :

Appellation Haut-Médoc Controlée Appellation: 5 Grands Crus Classés in Haut-Médoc Many Crus Bourgeois

Location: South of Médoc

Places: Saint Laurent du Médoc, Avensan, Macau, Saint Seurin de Cadourne, etc

Gravels, clay Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 4,270 ha (10,500 acres)

Vineyards: About 400 vine growers.

Production: 36 million bottles

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Grapes: Malbec Type of Medium to full-body red wine wine:

Age: 5 to 10 years and more

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995 (recommended) Dried cherry Berry fruits Aromas: Barnyard Vanilla Veal Food: Poultry Rabbit Cantal Cheese: Fourme d'Ambert Saint Nectaire

Margaux lays on a soil of white graves - a special kind of gravel brought from the mountains by the river. Margaux (also a female name in France) is the quintessence of the terroir and of the winemaker's work. That is probably the reason why the best châteaux produce also the best wines!

In Margaux, Château Margaux produces the most delicate wine of the Médoc. They are 18 Grands Crus Classés (great growths) in Margaux.

Margaux wines have a full-flavored bouquet and a magnificent elegance.

List of Médoc Growths Château Margaux

Margaux wine information :

Appellation: 18 Grands Crus Classés Appellation Margaux Controlée

Location: On the plateau overlooking the Gironde estuary Places: Margaux, Arsac, Cantenac, Labarde and Soussans

Soil: White graves (gravels)

Size: 1,300 ha (3,200 acres)

Vineyards: 80 chateaux and domaines

Production: 9.5 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot Margaux: Type of Medium to full-body red wine wine: Delicate bouquet

Age: 5 to 25 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1982 (recommended) Red fruits Toast Aromas: Coffee Truffle Roasted duck Margaux Game Wine and Partridge and feathered game Food: Spare ribs Margaux Saint Nectaire Wine and Edam Cheese: Gouda

Saint-Estèphe is a true "terroir" wine. The influence of the soil, gravels as usual and more clays than in Médoc, can be experienced when tasting a Saint-Estèphe wine. Although Pauillac is just close- by, Saint-Estèphe wines are different.

Saint-Estèphe wines are very colored, earthy, firm, robust and tannic. They reach their maturity slower than other Médoc wines.

Saint-Estèphe hosts 5 Grands Crus Classés (great growths) such as Château Montrose and Château Cos d'Estournel

List of Médoc Great Growths

5 Grands Crus Classés Appellation: Appellation Saint-Estèphe Controlée About 50 crus bourgeois

Location: North part of Médoc, close to Pauillac

Places: Saint-Estèphe

Gravel Soil: Clay Sand

Size: 1,200 ha (3,000 acres)

Vineyards: 155 vine growers

Production: 9 million bottles

Grapes in Saint- Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenère, Malbec Estèphe: Type of Tannic full-body red wine wine:

Age: 5 to 30 years and even more !

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1996, 1995, 1990, 1986, 1983, 1970 (recommended) Black currant Aromas: Red fruits Toast Red meat Food: Game Saint- Saint Nectaire EstèpheWine Edam andCheese: Gouda

Pauillac is maybe the best appellation of Bordeaux with three premiers grands crus classés (1st great growth) out of 5. Pauillac has 18 grands crus classés in total! The great châteaux of Pauillac are Château Lafite, Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild.

Pauillac wines generally have a lot of body, tannic and acid when they are young; they have an opulent bouquet with aromas of blackcurrant and cedar when they age.

List of Médoc Great Growths

Pauillac wine information :

18 grands crus classés Appellation: Appellation Pauillac Controlée

Location: Between Gironde river and Canal du Midi in the Médoc On the way to Saint Estèphe

Places: Pauillac, etc

Soil: Gravels and sands Size: 1,100 ha (2,700 acres)

Vineyards: 115 vine growers

Production: 8.5 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot Pauillac:

Type of Full-body red wine wine: strong bouquet

Age: 10 to 25 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986, 1982 (recommended) Black currant Aromas: Cedar Red meat Pauillac Red meat game Wine and Foie gras Food: Mushroom dishes Pauillac Wine and Saint Nectaire Cheese: Edam Gouda

Just a little bit less powerful than Pauillac and rustic than Saint- Estèphe, Saint-Julien wines are very aromatized. They are harmonious and well balanced red wines. Saint-Julien is the right balance between Pauillac and Margaux.

Saint-Julien has 11 Grands Crus Classés (great growths). The quality is so good in Saint-Julien, that second wines from those châteaux are very attractive. List of Médoc Great Growths

Saint Julien wine information :

11 Grands Crus Classés Appellation: Appellation Saint Julien Controlée Crus Bourgeois

Location: At the center of Haut-Médoc

Places: Saint Julien Beychevelle

Soil: Gravels

Size: 900 ha (2,200 acres)

Vineyards: 26 vineyards

Production: 6.5 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Saint Julien: Type of Powerful red wine wine:

Age: 10 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990 (recommended) Black currant Aromas: Cocoa Cedar box Lamb Game Food: Ham Rabbit in mustard sauce Cheese: Edam Gouda

Listrac is more distant from a river and from the ocean than any other Bordeaux appellations.

At the beginning of the last century, Listrac was one of the largest appellation in Médoc.

The traditional link between Listrac and Moulis should not prevail. Actually, the wine is closer to Saint-Estèphe. Listrac produces vigorous and tannic red wines.

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Listrac wine information :

Appellation Listrac Controlée Appellation: 22 crus bourgeois in Listrac

Location: In the Médoc, North of Moulis

Places: Listrac-Médoc

Limestone Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 700 ha

Vineyards: 90 domains and chateaux

Production: 5 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Cabernet Franc Listrac:

Type of Tannic medium-body red wine wine:

Age: up to 10 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998 (recommended) Black currant Aromas: Woody Licorice Roasted duck Food: Rumsteak, Tournedos Spare ribs Listrac and Saint Nectaire Cheese: Edam Gouda

Moulis name is coming from "moulin" (french word for windmill). Indeed nowadays, three ancient mills are still viewable in Moulis.

Moulis produces a velvety red wine, less tannic than Listrac. Moulis is ready to drink sooner than other Médoc wines.

Read more about Bordeaux wines with Amazon.com: - Bordeaux: a comprehensive guide to the wines, by Robert M., Jr. Parker

Moulis wine information :

Appellation Moulis Controlée Appellation: Crus Bourgeois

Location: Closer to the Atlantic, in the west part of Haut-Médoc Places: Moulis en Médoc

Gravels Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 550 ha (1,300 acres)

Vineyards: 42 properties

Production: 4.2 million bottles

Grapes in Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc Moulis: Type of Velvety red wine wine:

Age: 3 to 8 years and more

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998 (recommended) Black currant Red fruits Aromas: Violet Licorice Roasted guinea fowl Food: Feathered game Camembert Moulis Wine Saint Nectaire and Cheese: Edam Gouda

The area of Graves gets its name from the soil. Graves are a mix of gravels, clay and sand carried out by the river. Graves appellation is located just outside the town of Bordeaux. The red wines of Graves are recognizable by their garnet-red color, rich, attractive and more robust than the other Médoc wines.

Two third of Graves wines are white. Among the best white wines inBordeaux, they are generally fresh, fruity and dry (some time half-dry).

The appellation of "Graves supérieurs" is strictly reserved to sweet white wines.

List of Graves Great Growths

Graves wine information :

Grands Crus Classés Graves Appellation: Appellation Graves Controlée Appellation Graves Supérieur Contrôlée: sweet white wine only

Location: South of Bordeaux

Places: Illats, Mazères, Portets, etc

Soil: Graves: gravels, clay and sand from the mountains carried out by the river

Size: 3,000 ha (7,400 acres) 75% red - 25% white

Production: 22 million bottles

Red: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc Grapes in Graves: White: Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle

Type of Robust medium to full-body red wine wine: Elegant dry white wine Also a sweet white wine Red: 6 to 20 years Age: White: 3 to 12 years

Vintages: Red: 2006, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1986 (recommended) White: 2006, 2003, 2001, 1999, 1996, 1995 Red: Red fruits Cinnamon Black currant Aromas: White: Flowery (lime-flower) Passion fruits Apricot Red: Roasted pork Medallion of veal Food: Roasted duck

White: Lobster Red: Beaufort Cheese and Roquefort Graves wines: White: Cantal Crottin de Chavignol Roquefort Valencay

The famous "clairets" wine was made first in Pessac Léognan.

Pessac Léognan was detached from the Graves appellation. North of the Graves, Pessac Léognan tends to get closer and closer to Médoc. The terroir in Pessac Léognan is quite exclusive.

Red wines from Pessac Léognan have a powerful bouquet. They are among the best in Bordeaux. You will find Haut-Brion in Pessac Léognan.

White wines are well-structured and can age in a cellar. After 5 years they begin to express rich aromas. List of Graves Great Growths

Pessac Léognan wine information :

8 Grands Crus Classés Graves Appellation: Appellation Pessac-Léognan Controlée

Location: North of Graves

Places: Pessac, Léognan, Grézillac, Mérignac, Talence

Soil: Gravels

Size: 1,350 ha (3,300 acres)

Production: 9 million bottles

Red:Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot Grapes: White: Sémillon, Sauvignon

Type of Supple red wine Powerful bouquet wine: Medium to full body white wine Red: 6 to 20 years Age: White: 5 to 15 years

Vintages: Red: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1988 (recommended) White: 2006, 2001, 1998, 1996, 1995 Red: Red fruits Ripen fruits Cocoa Aromas: White: Orange pills Boxwood Passion fruits Food and Red wine: Pessac Roast lamb Léognan: Poultry

White wine: Fish Red wine: Beaufort Cheese and White wine: Pessac Cantal Léognan: Crottin de Chavignol Roquefort

Valencay

Sauternes is famous for sweet wines such as Yquem, Raymond- Lafon and Rieussec. They are among the best dessert wines in the world

Sauternes is made with noble rot (also called botrytis, a moisture covering the grape), Because soils are so diverse, and each house has its own way of making the golden wine, Sauternes is a very personalized wine.

Sauternes are often delicious, golden, unctuous and delicate. The famous roasted note comes when Sauternes is a little bit older.

Sauternes has its own ranking shared with Barsac.

Sauternes wine information :

Crus Classés de Sauternes Appellation: Appellation Sauternes Controlée

Location: 50 km south east of Bordeaux

Places: Sauternes, Barsac, Bommes, Fargues de Langon, Preignac

Gravels Soil: Clayey-limestone Limestone

Size: 1,800 ha (4,500 acres)

Production: 4.5 million bottles

Sauvignon Grapes: Sémillon Muscadelle

Type of Powerful delicate sweet white wine wine: The King of sweet wines!

Age: 5 to 35 years sometimes more than 100 years

Vintages: 2003, 2001, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1986, 1983, 1981, 1976 (recommended) Honey Aromas: Dried pineapple Nuts Foie Gras Food and Asparagus Sauternes: Lobster Trout Cheese and Bleu d'Auvergne Sauternes: Fourme d'Ambert Livarot Roquefort

In the southern part of the Bordeaux region, Barsac is famous for outstanding sweet wines such Chateau Climens and Chateau Coutet. Barsac is among the best dessert wines in the world.

In Barsac, wine growers have the choice to market their wine under the Barsac AOC or Sauternes AOC. It means that all Barsac wines could also be Sauternes wines while Sauternes wines cannot wear Barsac on their label.

Actually, Barsac and Sauternes vineyards are separated by the Ciron river. Barsac lays on the left bank of the river. Local climate could explain the high quality of the wine in Barsac. Every morning a mist covers the vines while sun exposure during the day is particularly high for the Bordeaux region. The association of the two leads to proper development of Botrytis fungus, a noble rot that gives very high concentration of sugar, essential for sweet white wine.

Barsac is maybe a little bit less liquorous and more fruity than Sauternes.

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Barsac wine information :

Crus Classés de Sauternes Appellation: Appellation Barsac Controlée or Appellation Sauternes Controlée

50 km (31 miles) south-east of Bordeaux, along the left bank of Location: the Garonne river

Places: Barsac

Gravels, red sand Soil: Clayey-limestone Size: 830 ha (2,050 acres)

Production: 1.8 million bottles

Sauvignon Grapes: Sémillon Muscadelle Type of Powerful fruity sweet white wine wine:

Age: more than 50 years

Vintages: 2003, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1983, 1976, 1961 (recommended) Honey Aromas: Dried fig Acacia Foie Gras Barsac and Asparagus Food: Lobster Trout Barsac and Bleu d'Auvergne Cheese: Fourme d'Ambert Livarot Roquefort

Overlooking the Garonne river, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux starts South of Bordeaux city to Cadillac. Premières Côtes de Bordeaux is a long and narrow stretch of vineyards, more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) long and 5 kilometers (3 miles) wide. It means that the soils, the grapes grown, the wines made are quite diverse.

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux is more and more a red wine appellation although all kind of wines are produced there. The best dry white wine are sold under the Bordeaux AOC label. The best sweet wine under the Cadillac appellation.

The red wines of Premières Côtes de Bordeaux are colorful and strong. Some of them are excellent.

Red wines are made from typical Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc grapes but also from Petit Verdot, Malbec and Carmenère, a local grape from Bordeaux similar to Merlot.

Premières Côtes de Bordeaux information :

Name: Appellation Premières Côtes de Bordeaux Controlée

Location: Right bank of Garonne, from Saint Maixant and Cadillac to the city of Bordeaux

Places: Capian, Saint Maixant, Rions, Haux, Quinsac, Langoiran, Cambes, etc

Limestone Soil: Gravels Clay

Size: 3,300 ha (8,150 acres) 85% red - 15% white

Production: 24 million bottles

Grapes: Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec, Carmenère

White: Sémillon, Sauvignon, Muscadelle Type of Colorful and strong red wine wine: Also dry white wine, sweet white wine, clairet, and even sparkling wine

Age: 3 to 7 years (red wine)

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2000 (recommended) Red fruits Aromas: Black fruits Spices Red meat Food: Beefsteak Cheese: White: Cheddar

The Bordeaux AOC appellation alone counts for about 25% of the total AOC wine production in France.

Bordeaux AOC wines are coming from everywhere in the Bordeauxwine region. The appellation roughly covers Gironde department.

The quality of both red and white wine depends very much on the wine maker talent and on the quality of the grapes. It means that the quality varies from very disappointing wines to excellent bargain chateaux.

The Bordeaux supérieur appellation grow on the same soils. Red wines may have a higher quality and can age better.

Bordeaux AOC wine information :

Appellation Bordeaux Controlée Name: Appellation Bordeaux Supérieur Controlée

Location: Gironde department

Places: Too many to mention! Soil: Various

Size: 59,000 ha (150,000 acres)

Red: 400 million bottles Production: White: 75 million bottles Grapes in Red wine: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, Bordeaux: Carmenère, Petit Verdot

White wine: Sauvignon, Sémillon, Muscadelle and Ugni blanc, Colombard, Merlot blanc, Mauzac, Ondenc Type of Well-balanced red wine to drink young Bordeaux Nervous and fruity dry white wine AOC wines: Fresh and fruity rosé wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: Red: 2005, 2003 (recommended) White: 2006, 2003 Red fruits Aromas: Vanilla Grilled Bread Red: Red meat Paté Bordeaux and Food: White: Onion tart Mussels Red: Emmental

Bordeaux White: and Cheese: Boursin Roquefort Tomme de Savoie Valencay

Entre Deux Mers is not exactly between two seas but actually between two rivers: Dordogne and Garonne.

Entre-Deux-Mers produce a very good dry white wine. Wine makers prefer to keep their best grapes for Entre-Deux-Mers instead ofBordeaux AOC. However because of the compact soil, this is not the best place to grow vines in Bordeaux.

Read more about Bordeaux wines with Amazon.com: - Bordeaux: a comprehensive guide to the wines, by Robert M., Jr. Parker

Entre-Deux-Mers wine information :

Name: Appellation Entre-Deux-Mers Controlée

Location: Between 2 rivers (and not seas !): Dordogne and Garonne

Places: Grézillac, Naujan, Soussac, etc

Compact sands Soil: Silt Clayey-limestone

Size: 2,400 ha (6,000 acres)

Production: 15 million bottles

Grapes: Sauvignon and Sémillon, Muscadelle

Type of Fresh and fruity dry white wine wine: 1 to 3 years Age: Drink young

Vintage: 2005 (recommended) Grapefruit Aromas: Litchi Peach

Oysters (recommended) Shellfish Entre Deux Asparagus Mers and Avocado Food: Frog legs Sole Meunière Cheese: Roquefort

The village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous white wine in France. Chablis is located at the north of the Burgundy region.

Chablis wine is made of Chardonnay grape. Over there people called it Beaunois, taking the name from the close-by wine region of Beaune. Chardonnay grow on a limestone soil rich with fossils and specially oysters. A long time ago, a sea covered Burgundy and Chablis.

Chablis wine is brisk and fruity, very dry and with a refreshing acidity. In the nose, there are flavors of green apple and lemon. In the mouth Chablis delivers aromas of vanilla, lemon and linden.

When older, Chablis has a golden color and is more spicy.

Chablis is recommended with grilled fish but is also a good companion with white meat and even curry or tandoori.

Chablis wine information :

Appellation Chablis Grand Cru Controlée

Chablis Appellation Chablis Premier Cru Controlée

Appellation: Appellation Chablis Controlée

Appellation Petit Chablis Controlée

Location: North of Burgundy, around the city of Auxerre 180km south of Paris (110 miles)

Places: Chablis, Beines, Fontenay près Chablis, etc (in 18 villages)

Soil in Chablis: Clayey-limestone Marl and fossils

Size: 4,300 ha (10,500 acres)

Production: 32 million bottles White wine only in Chablis! Grapes: Chardonnay

Type of wines: Fruity dry white wine

2 to 5 years Age: Premier Cru: 3 to 7 years Grand Cru: 5 to 12 years Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1997, 1996, 1995 (recommended) Nuts Aromas in Chablis: Butter Mineral Grilled salmon Poultry Chablis and Food: White meat Lobster and shellfish

Chèvre (goat cheese) Aisy Cendré Cantal Chablis and Chaource Cheese: Epoisses Langres Chabichou du Poitou Crottin de Chavignol

Côte de Nuits is not an appellation but a wine region producing great red wines such as Chambertin, Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny,Vougeot, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits Saint- Georges. They are all robust and elegant red wines with an intense and fragrant bouquet. The Côte de Nuits Villages appellation applies to the wines coming from Prémeaux to Corgoloin just south of Nuits Saint Georges. The 'terroir' there is known for the purity of the limestone. A few wines from Fixin are also in the appellation. Côte de Nuits Villages are great value red wines, very fruity and should be drunk before 5 years.

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Côte de Nuits Villages wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Côte de Nuits Villages Controlée

Location: South of Nuits Saint Georges

Place: Fixin, Brochon, Prémeaux, Comblanchien, Corgoloin

Limestone Soil: Clay

Size: 170 ha (420 acres)

Production: 1 million bottles Very limited production of white Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay Type of Fruity medium-body red wine wines:

Age: 3 to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002 (recommended) Red fruits Aromas: Licorice Roasted duck Food: Red meat Brie Brillat-Savarin Cheese: Cantal Chaource Salers

Gevrey-Chambertin is the largest appellation in Côte de Nuits. Gevrey-Chambertin is also one of the most famous wines in France.

The location of the vineyard is crucial in Gevrey-Chambertin. The red wines - red wine only in Gevrey Chambertin - range from just average to supreme.

The best Gevrey-Chambertin grands crus are Chambertin and Clos de Bèze. They are among the finest french red wines.

Also: Gevrey-Chambertin grands crus

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Gevrey Chambertin wine information :

Appellation Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru

Appellation: Appellation Gevrey Chambertin Controlée

and 9 Gevrey Chambertin Grand Crus Location: North of Gevrey

Places: Gevrey Chambertin, Brochon

Limestone gravels Soil: Clayey limestone

Size: 400 ha (990 acres)

Production: 2.3 million bottles Red wine only in Gevrey Chambertin! Grape: Pinot Noir

Type of Deep colored full body red wine wines:

Age: 5 to 25 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985 (recommended) Cherry Aromas: Musk Licorice Gevrey and Grilled red meat Food: Roast red meat Cheese:

Epoisses

Monks first planted vine in Clos de Vougeot in the 12th century. Nowadays, protected by a wall of stones, Clos de Vougeot is the largest grand cru area in Burgundy. The vineyard of Clos de Vougeot is shared between 80 owners. It generates a lot of troubles for wine tasters as the average production per owner is a little bit more than 1,000 bottles !

Vougeot and Vougeot Premier Cru are the smallest appellations in Burgundy - excluding Clos de Vougeot - and sometimes provide very good value with both red and white wines.

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Clos de Vougeot wine information :

Appellation Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

Appellation: Appellation Vougeot Premier Cru

Appellation Vougeot Controlée

Location: In Côte de Nuits

Place: Vougeot

Clayey limestone Soil: Gravels (higher vineyard) Humus (lower vineyard)

Size: 450 ha (1,110 acres)

Production: 220,000 bottles Red wine only in Clos de Vougeot! Grape: Pinot Noir

Type of Harmonious full body red wine wines:

Age: 10 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993 (recommended) Red fruits Aromas: Chocolate Licorice Clos de Vougeot and Grilled red meat Food: Cheese: Epoisses

Vosne Romanée is home to one of the most famous wines in France:La Romanée Conti.

Although Romanée Conti is universally known, the village of Vosne Romanée where it comes from is one the smallest wine villages in Burgundy !

The wine region around Vosne Romanée also hosts several grands crus such as Grands-Echezeaux and Richebourg which make of Vosne Romanée terroirs the best of Burgundy red wines.

More : Romanée-Conti wine Vosne-Romanée grands crus

Vosne Romanée wine information :

Appellation Vosne Romanée Controlée

Appellation: Appellation Vosne Romanée Premier Cru

List of appellations in Vosne Romanée

Location: North part of Cote de Nuits Place: Vosne Romanée, Flagey-Échezeaux

Soil: Clay

Size: 150 ha (370 acres)

Production: 900,000 bottles Red wine only Grape: Pinot Noir

Type of Elegant red wine wines:

Age: 5 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993 (recommended) Cherry Aromas: Strawberry

Coq au vin (coq au vin recipe) Food: Roast red meat Munster Cheese: Maroilles Chabichou

Saint Nectaire

The village of Nuits Saint Georges gives its name to the Côte de Nuits. The Côte de Nuits starts just south of Dijon to the edge of Cote de Beaune. Nuits Saint Georges produces mostly red wines. Red Côte de Nuits are robust and elegant. Their bouquet is intense and fragrant.

The other villages producing Côte de Nuits are Chambertin, Morey- Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée (seeRomanée-Conti).

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Nuits Saint Georges wine information :

Appellation Nuits Saint Georges Controlée Appellation: Appellation Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru

Location: South of Dijon city

Place: Nuits Saint Georges, Prémeaux

Clayey limestone Soil: Rocks

Size: 300 ha (740 acres)

Production: 1.7 million bottles Limited white wine production Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay Type of Full body red wine wines:

Age: 5 to 20 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1989, 1988 (recommended) Cherry Aromas: Blackcurrant Truffle Roast game Food: Meat in red wine sauce Brie Cheese: Cantal

The Côte de Beaune begins just a few miles south of Nuits Saint- Georges, around the village of Ladoix.

The Côte de Beaune appellation is given to wines coming from the city of Beaune but also from 16 villages around Beaune such as Auxey-Duresses, Chassagne-Montrachet, Ladoix, Saint-Romain and Savigny les Beaune.

Red Côte de Beaune are noticeable for their aroma and their warm bouquet. They have a tendency to a slightly lighter body and a quicker maturation than the Côtes de Nuits.

The white wines of Côte de Beaune are straw-yellow, robust, thick and smooth, very dry.

Côte de Beaune Villages is a different appellation. Wines from all the Côte de Beaune area can substitute their local appellation with this regional type of appellation.

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Côte de Beaune wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Côte de Beaune Controlée

Location: In the Beaune "mountain"

Place: Beaune and 16 villages

Soil: Limestone

Size: 35 ha (85 acres)

Production: 170,000 bottles 2/3: red - 1/3: white Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay Type of Light fruity red wine wines: white wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002 (recommended) Red: Raspberry Aromas: White: White flowers Grapefruit Beaune and Burgundy snails Food: Cantal Cheese: Coulommiers Emmental

Munster Reblochon

Corton is the largest area of Grands Crus in Burgundy. This terroir also called la montagne (the mountain) in the Aloxe-Corton area produces the best red wines of Côte de Beaune. Corton needs to age at least 10 years to develop the smooth, rich red fruits aroma.

At the top of the hill, Corton-Charlemagne is a great white Burgundy wine, one of the best in the region among Montrachet and Meursault. Its is said that the french emperor Charlemagne owned this place 1,300 years ago.

The other wines are sold under the Aloxe Corton appellation. They are very good red wines and offer good value.

Aloxe Corton and Corton wine information :

Appellation Aloxe-Corton Controlée Appellations in Appellation Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru Corton: Appellation Corton Grand Cru Appellation Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

Location: North part of Côte de Beaune

Place: Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny, Pernand-Vergelesses

Limestone Soil: Marl

Aloxe Corton: 130ha Size: Corton: 100ha Charlemagne: 60ha Total: 290 ha (715 acres) Aloxe Corton: 750,000 Corton: 480,000 Production: Charlemagne: 300,000 Total: 1,530,000 bottles 99% of red wine Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay, Pinot Beurot Type of wines: Deep colored red wine

5 to 15 years: Aloxe-Corton Age: 10 to 20 years: Corton and Corton-Charlemagne

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990, 1989, (recommended) 1988, 1985 Red: Red fruits Aromas in Corton: Truffle

White: Cinnamon, Honey, Butter Venison Corton and Food: Duck Red meat Cheese: White wine: Reblochon

There are only red wines in Pommard. They are among the most tannic and robust wines in Burgundy, much stronger than Beaune andVolnay close-by wines.

Although Pommard is one of the most well-known appellation of the region, the wine's quality decreased over the last decades. However, since a number of campaigns, Pommard wines is improving and the name is back into business.

Pommard wine information :

Appellation Pommard Controlée Appellation: Appellation Pommard Premier Cru

Location: Between Beaune and Volnay

Place: Pommard

Soil: Limestone and red clay

Size: 315 ha (780 acres)

Production: 1.8 million bottles Only red wine in Pommard! Grapes: Pinot Noir

Type of Tannic full-body red wine wines:

Age: 5 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990 (recommended) Black cherry Aromas: Blackcurrant Musk Game Pommard Venison and Food: Roast red meat Cheese: Livarot

Volnay has been very famous for already 8 centuries. A King of France even took the whole production of a campaign for his own only !

Volnay produces only red wines. They are well-structured and elegant. The white wines made in the Volnay area are sold under the Meursault appellation. Note that red Volnay-Santenots wines are actually coming from Meursault.

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Volnay wine information :

Appellation Volnay Controlée Appellation: Appellation Volnay Premier Cru Location of Between Pommard and Meursault in Cote de Beaune Volnay:

Place: Volnay Volnay-Santenots is made in Meursault Limestone Soil: Clay

Size: 230 ha (570 acres)

Production: 1.3 million bottles Only red wine in Volnay! Grapes: Pinot Noir

Type of Elegant red wine wines:

Age: 3 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990 (recommended) Red berry Aromas: Raspberry Violet Volnay and Game Food: Citeaux Cheese: Epoisses

The white wines from Meursault are among the finest white wines in France.

It seems that white wine has always been grown in Meursault, as early as 1050.

A third of the production in Meursault has a Premier Cru label and is of great quality. The best of the best are Les Perrières, Les Charmes, les Gouttes d'Or.

Meursault wine information :

Appellation Meursault Controlée Appellations in Appellation Meursault Premier Cru Meursault: Appellation Volnay-Santenots Premier Cru (red wine)

Location: In Cote de Beaune, south of Volnay and north of Puligny Montrachet

Place: Meursault

Limestone Soil: Marl Size: 440 ha (1,090 acres)

Production: 2.5 million bottles Limited production of red wine Grapes: Chardonnay

Type of Mellow dry white wine wines:

Age: 3 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999, 1996, 1993, 1990 (recommended) Almond Aromas: Apple Nut Meursault Fish in white sauce and Food:

Cantal Chaource Cheese with Coulommiers Epoisses Meursault: Reblochon Saint Marcellin Vacherin

Chassagne-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune is famous for the great white wines produced in the 5 appellations (see below) including 3 grands crus. Montrachet, the most famous of them, is often called "king of white wines".

Chassagne-Montrachet until recently produced mainly red wines. Although a few of them can match with the best of the Burgundy region, the overall Chassagne-Montrachet red production cannot be compared with Corton and Volnay.

Nowadays, 60% of the wines in Chassagne-Montrachet are white. They are among the best in Burgundy, even in France and are increasingly popular.

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Chassagne Montrachet wine information :

Appellation Chassagne Montrachet Controlée

Appellation Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Appellations in Chassagne Appellation Montrachet Grand Cru Montrachet: Appellation Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru

Appellation Criots Bâtard Montrachet Grand Cru

Location: South of Côte de Beaune

Place: Chassagne Montrachet, Remigny

Soil: Clayey limestone

Size: 350 ha (865 acres)

Production: 2 million bottles 60%: white - 40%: red Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay Type of wines: Fruity full-body red wine Full-flavored white wine Red: 3 to 10 years Age: White: 5 to 20 years Red: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 1999, Vintages: 1996, 1993 (recommended) White: 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1996, 1995, 1989, 1985 Red: Cherry Blackcurrant Aromas in Chassagne Montrachet: White: Almond Ripen apple Honey Red: Roast game

Food: White: Grilled fish White meat Fish in white sauce White: Cheese: Langres Saint Nectaire

Although Rully is located in the Côte Châlonnaise, the terroirs, the history and style of Rully wines make them more similar to Côte de Beaune.

Both red and white wines from Rully are good value for your money. 25 Premiers Crus have reached over the years a very good level.

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Rully wine information :

Appellation Rully Controlée Appellation: Appellation Rully Premier Cru

Location: North part of Côte Châlonnaise

Place: Rully, Chagny

Limestone Soil: Clay

Size: 320 ha (790 acres)

Production: 2 million bottles 2/3: White - 1/3: Red Grapes: White: Chardonnay

Red: Pinot Noir Type of wines: Fine dry white wine

Well-structured red wine White: 2 to 5 years Age: Red: 3 to 5 years

Vintages: White: 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001 (recommended) Red: 2006, 2003, 2002 White: Hazelnut White flowers Aromas in Rully: Red: Raspberry Cherry White: Rully and Food: Grilled Fish Shells

Red: Red meat Rully and White wine: Cheese: Beaufort Comté Emmental

Givry is a pretty village just outside of Chalon sur Saône city. There are many historic places of interests in the village of Givry itself.

Although, the wine from Givry is not one of the most famous inBurgundy, a new generation of winemakers is responsible for attractive wines.

Givry red wines are similar to those of Mercurey. Winemakers also produce a fine white wine in limited quantity.

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Givry wine information :

Appellation Givry Controlée Appellation: Appellation Givry Premier Cru

Location: Close to Chalon sur Saône and 6km south of Mercurey

Place: Givry, Dracy-le-Fort, Jambles

Clay Soil: Limestone Size: 220 ha (540 acres)

Production: 1.4 million bottles Limited white wine production Grapes: Red: Pinot Noir White: Chardonnay Type of Medium-body red wine wines:

Age: 3 to 7 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002 (recommended) Cherry Aromas: Raspberry Givry and Red: Food: Red meat Brie de Meaux Charolais Cheese: Reblochon Parmesan

Pouilly and Fuissé are two distinct villages in the Mâconnais. The large wine area actually covers 4 villages to produce a good white wine sold under the name of Pouilly Fuissé.

Although Pouilly Fuissé should be drunk when age 5, it can be forgotten in a cellar for a very long time as it can possibly age 20 years or even more !

Pouilly Fuissé should not be confused with Pouilly Fumé, a white wine from the Loire Valley.

Pouilly Fuissé wine information :

Appellation: Appellation Pouilly Fuissé Controlée

Location: around Mâcon

Place: Fuissé, Chaintré, Solutré-Pouilly, Vergisson

Soil: Clayey limestone

Size: 875 ha (2,150 acres)

Production: 5.8 million bottles White wine only in Pouilly Fuissé! Grapes: Chardonnay

Type of Rich dry white wine wines:

Age: 2 to 6 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000 (recommended) Grilled almond Aromas: Nut White flower Pouilly Fuissé and Shellfish, Oysters Food: Banon Cheese: Mâconnais Picodon

Bourgogne appellation covers all the Burgundy region. The vineyards of Bourgogne AOC are located on 385 villages !

The grapes used in Burgundy are Pinot Noir for red wine andChardonnay for white wine. A few decades ago, winemakers also used Pinot Beurot, César and Tressot red grapes but they have now almost completely disappeared.

The quality varies very much from acidic to supple from one producer to another.

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Bourgogne AOC wine information :

Name: Appellation Bourgogne Controlée

Location: Burgundy region

385 villages as per department: 54 in Yonne Places: 92 in Côte d’Or 154 in Saône et Loire 85 in Rhône

Soil: Various from limestone to clay

Size: 3,000 ha (7,400 acres)

24 million bottles

Production: Red: 15 million White: 9 million Grapes in Red: Burgundy: Pinot Noir

White: Chardonnay Type of Various wines: Red: 2 to 8 years Age: White: 1 to 5 years

Vintages: Red: 2005, 2003, 2002, 1999 (recommended) White: 2005, 2003, 2002 Red: Licorice Black fruits Aromas: White: Honey Vanilla Lemon Red: Red meat Food: White: White meat Fish Red wine: Cheese: Maroilles Munster Camembert Emmental

Bourgogne Aligoté is a light white wine. People in Burgundy drink it young as Aligoté is not a wine that can age such as others.

Aligoté stands for a white grape name used only in Burgundy. However winemakers are allowed to add up to 15% of Chardonnay grapes. The production of Bourgogne Aligoté is decreasing years over years as people are going more after Chardonnay these days.

Bourgogne Aligoté from Bouzeron village deserve a special note for the winemakers' efforts toward quality.

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Bourgogne Aligoté wine information :

Name: Appellation Bourgogne Aligoté Controlée

Location: All Burgundy region

Same as Bourgogne AOC Places: 385 villages

Soil: Various (all Burgundy region)

Size: 1,400 ha (3,460 acres)

Production: 11 million bottles White wine only!

Grape: Aligoté and up to 15% of Chardonnay Type of Light white wine wine:

Age: Drink it young!

Apple Aromas: Lemon Shellfish Food: Aperitif with or without blackcurrant cream Charolais Cheese: Mâconnais

Gewurztraminer is the most typical Alsatian wine. Gewûrz means "spicy" in german. It is the main characteristic of Gewurztraminer. Traminer means "coming from Tramin", a small city in south Tyrol of Austria where the grape is coming from. Gewurztraminer is the name of a grape but also the name of the wine made from the grape!

Gewurztraminer was first grown in Alsace around the 19th century. The grapes now cover roughly 20% of the vineyards in the region. Gewurztraminer replaced a grape called Klevener or Savagnin. Nowadays klevener wines can only be found in the village of Heiligenstein and around. Klevener is a dry white wine with slight spicy flavor while less aromatic than Gewurz, it sould be drunk young.

It is obviously in Alsace where Gewurztraminer grapes give the best results. The wine is delicious, fruity and with strong aromas, a very perfumed and flowery bouquet. Gewurztraminer is sweeter thanRiesling, which is a dry wine.

Thick and rich wine, which can age, Gewurztraminer is better with sauerkraut, sausages and the Alsatian cheese Munster, curry seasoned dishes, chinese and mexican cooking and other spiced dishes. A Gewurztraminer can even be served as a dessert wine.

Gewurztraminer is better when served at 10°C (50°F). Gewurztraminer can last up to 10 years in their best years.

Gewurztraminer wine information :

Name: Gewurztraminer Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: Alsace region

Eguisheim, Pfaffenheim, Riquewihr, Obermorschwihr, Places: Orschwihr, etc Limestone Soil: Clayey-limestone Size: 2,526 ha (6,250 acres) 18% of the Alsace vineyards' size

Production: 29 million bottles

Grape: Gewurztraminer

Type of Very aromatic full-body white wine wine:

Age: 3 to 10 years

Vintages: 2007, 2005, 2003, 2000, 1998 (recommended) Grapefruit Rose Aromas: Litchee Peach stone Aperitif Foie Gras Gewurz and Spicy dishes Food: Asiatic food Dessert wine

Munster (recommended) Roquefort Gewurz and Langres Cheese: Maroilles Pont l'Eveque

Alsace Wine Region Map

Pinot Blanc (blanc stands for white while pinot is a wide variety of grape) also known as Klevner is a dry white wine from Alsace. Pinot Blanc is less aromatic than other white wines in Alsace. However Pinot Blanc balances between softness and freshness to make the lightest wine in Alsace along with Sylvaner. Pinot Blanc has a pale colour, delicately fruity with peach and pear aromas.

Pinot Blanc is coming from the grape also called Pinot Blanc, often combined with Auxerrois grape which gives more alsacian flavor to the wine.

Pinot Blanc covers roughly 20% of the vineyards in Alsace.

Pinot Blanc should be drunk young, along with fish, white meat or even better with an onion tart.

Pinot Blanc wine information :

Name: Pinot Blanc Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: Alsace region

Pfaffenheim, Barr, Guebwiller, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Rouffach, Places: etc

Soil: Sandstone

Size: 2,850 ha (7,000 acres) 20% of the Alsace vineyards' size

Production: 33 million bottles Pinot Blanc (or klevner, clevner) Grapes: Often mixed with Pinot Auxerois

Type of wine: Refreshing dry white wine

Age: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2007, 2005 (recommended)

Peach Aromas: Peer Flower

Fish Food: Onion tart Poultry White meat Cheese:

Munster

The name of this wine is still a mystery. Tokay of Alsace is made 100% from Pinot Gris grape variety which is from Alsace itself or more probably from Burgundy and has never been linked with Hungary.

Pinot Gris grape information

Pinot Gris is a full-body white wine with a long lasting finish. It is such a rich and round white that it can even replace red wine with a red meat dish. However white meat is generally recommended with Pinot Gris. At its best, it can be served with Foie Gras!

Pinot Gris from Alsace has a yellow colour tending to gold. It offers aromas of wood and mushroom.

It is recommended to serve Pinot Gris at 12°C (54°F) which is a little bit warmer than usual dry white wine. Since 2006, the official name is Pinot Gris. Tokay has been removed to avoid confusion with the Hungarian wine.

Tokay Pinot Gris wine information :

Name: Tokay Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: Alsace region

Cléebourg, Guebwiller, Orschwihr, Ribeauville, Riquewihr, Rorschwihr, Places: etc

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 1,305 ha (3,200 acres) 13% of the Alsace vineyards' size

Production: 22 million bottles

Grape: Pinot Gris

Type of wine: Powerful full-body white wine

Age: 2 to 6 years

Vintages: 2007, 2005 (recommended)

Dried fruits Aromas: Wood Spice

Food with White meat Tokay: Foie gras Quiche Lorraine Cheese with Chaource Tokay: Epoisses Langres Pont l'Eveque

Sylvaner grape is originally coming from Austria and was introduced in Alsace only 2 centuries ago.

Grapes grow in the northern part of the Alsatian vineyards and cover about 10% of the vineyards of the Alsace region.

Sylvaner gives the best results in the famous terroir of Zotzenberg. It is the only place where wine makers can add Sylvaner along with Riesling and Gewurztraminer to rpoduce a great growth wine, one of the best wines from Alsace.

Sylvaner gives a pleasant, fresh, fruity and dry wine. The wine has a pale green colour. Sylvaner offers flower and lemon aromas. It is better when drink young, served as an aperitif or with fish.

Sylvaner is also called Silvaner or Gros Rhin.

Sylvaner wine information :

Name: Sylvaner Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: Alsace region

Places: Eguisheim, Mittelbergheim, Molsheim, Zotzenberg, etc

Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 1,220 ha (3,000 acres) 12% of the Alsace vineyards' size

Production: 20 million bottles

Grape: Sylvaner

Type of wine: Refreshing and light dry white wine Age: up to 5 years

Vintages: 2007, 2004 (recommended)

White flowers Aromas: Lemon

Sea food Onion Tart Sylvaner Sauerkraut and Food: Pork meal Salad

Cremant d'Alsace

A sparkling wine made the same way as Champagne with Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris,Pinot Noir, Riesling or Chardonnay.

Crémant can also be found in Burgundy, Loire Valley and Bordeaux among others. A popular one is the Crémant from Limoux in Roussillon. But the most popular Crémant is the sparkling wine from Alsace.

Wine makers use almost the same traditional way as in Champagne. Wine goes through the fermentation process twice. During the second fermentation, while the wine is already in its bottle, wine makers add sugar and yeast. They produce carbon dioxide making the liquid sparkling forming bubbles while sugar transforms into alcohol.

Alsace Crémant is typically a sparkling white wine, delicate and light. It is recommended to drink it young as an aperitif or as a dessert wine.

Crémant is better served cold at 7°C (45°F).

Crémant from Alsace is inexpensive and is actually an affordable alternative to Champagne. Read more about Alsace with Amazon.com: - Wines of Alsace by Tom Stevenson

Crémant d'Alsace information :

Name: Crémant d'Alsace Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: Alsace region

Barr, Bennwihr, Eguisheim. Ingersheim, Riquewihr, Places: Wintzenheim, etc

Soil: Various

Production: 15 million bottles

Grapes: Pinot Blanc and also Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay

Type of wine: Delicate sparkling wine There is also a rose sparkling wine

Age: up to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended)

Red fruits Aromas Apricot Almond

Food: Dessert wine

Cheese: Langres

Riesling is a traditional grape found along the Rhine river. It was first grown in Germany in the 15th century and in Alsace a few decades later. Riesling covers now roughly 25% of the vineyards in Alsace.

Riesling is the most elegant grape of the Alsace region. It gives dry, neat, graceful and well-balanced wine. Riesling is known to be the finest Alsace wine.

Wine has a light yellow green colour. Older riesling have strong mineral aromas while younger wines offer flowery notes.

Riesling is brilliant with fish, shell-fish, poultry, cold meat and famous Alsatian dishessuch as sauerkraut or smoked ham.

A younger Riesling should be served colder (9°C - 48°F) than an older Riesling (11°C - 52°F). Riesling should be drunk after 5 years but a wine is already very good after one or two years.

Riesling grapes grow now in many locations in the US, South Africa, Australia, Bulgaria, Slovakia and beyond. Do not confuse with German Riesling which is mostly a sweet wine but can also be a dry or a sparkling wine.

Read more about Alsace with Amazon.com : - Wines of Alsace by Tom Stevenson

Riesling wine information :

Name: Riesling Appellation Alsace Controlée

Location: In the Rhine valley

Places: Ammerschwihr, Dambach, Eguisheim, Wettolsheim, etc

Limestone Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 3,280 ha (8,100 acres) 23% of the Alsace vineyards' size Production: 36 million bottles

Grape: Riesling

Type of wine: Elegant dry white wine

Age: 2 to 10 years (5 to 15 years for grains nobles Riesling)

Vintages: 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000 (recommended)

Mineral Riesling Rose Aromas: Peach stone Melon sometimes

Fish (recommended) Riesling and Seafood and Shellfish Food: Sauerkraut Coq au Riesling

Cheese: Morbier (young Riesling) Parmesan

Côte Rôtie is one of the oldest vineyards in France. It was set up by the Romans. The Côte Rôtie with its hills bathed in sun, produces a warm, robust, full-bodied, richly colored red wine. Harsh and dark when they are young those wines become softer and develop with age an excellent bouquet. Two grape-varieties dominate the production,Viognier and Syrah.

Wines of Côte Rôtie are often considered as the best Côtes du Rhône. Some Côte Rôtie wine makers and lovers use to split the best of the wines into brown Côte Rôtie and blonde Côte Rôtie. Browns are stronger and mature longer, blondes are more delicate.

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Côte Rôtie wine information :

Name: Appellation Côte Rôtie Controlée

North part of Rhone Valley, around Vienne city, on the right Location: bank of the river

Places: Saint-Cyr-sur-Rhône, Ampuis and Tupin-Semons

Granite Soil: Clay or sand Size: 200 ha (500 acres)

Production: 1.1 million bottles Only red wine !

Grapes: Syrah 80% Viognier 20% Type of wines: Full-body red wine

Age: 8 to 15 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1991 (recommended)

Raspberry Aromas in Côte Rôtie: Spice Vanilla Roasted lamb Food: Roasted duck Venison St Marcellin Cheese:

Condrieu is regarded as an exceptional but hard-to-find wine. Condrieu is one of the best white wine in Côtes du Rhône. The vineyards cover only 105 hectares. The single grape variety used in Condrieu is viognier.

Condrieu is a full-body white wine, rich in alcohol, but with a strong flavor and round in the mouth. Condrieu exhales apricot, pear and almond aromas.

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Condrieu wine information :

Name: Appellation Condrieu Controlée

Location: Right bank of Rhone river, 10km south of Vienne

Places: Condrieu, Ampuis, Chavanay and 3 other villages

Soil: Granite

Size: 110 ha (270 acres)

Production: 500,000 bottles

Grapes in Condrieu: Viognier

Type of wines: Full-body white wine

Age: 2 to 4 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003 (recommended)

Aromas in Condrieu: Apricot Pear Almond Violets Grilled fish Food: Bass Grilled haddock Pont l'Evèque Beaufort Cheese: Abondance

Château Grillet is the only appellation in France provided by a single one winery. With 3,5ha/8.6acres, Château Grillet is also one the smallest!

Château Grillet is much like Condrieu, a full-body aromatic white wine made with Viognier. Because of the compact terroir, the wine is often outstanding, simply one of the best in France. Château Grillet is supposed to be an unique wine: both dry and sweet at the same time! However the price prevents wine lovers from tasting the experience. Château Grillet costs at least $100 a bottle.

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Château Grillet wine information :

Name: Appellation Château Grillet Controlée

Location: Right bank of Rhone river, close to Condrieu

Places: 2 villages: Vérin and Saint Michel sur Rhône Soil: Granite and sand

Size: 3.5 ha (less than 9 acres)

Production: 13,000 bottles

Grapes: Viognier

Type of Full flavor dry white wine wines:

Age: 5 to 15 years and more

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1990 (recommended)

Aromas: Apricot Peach Truffle Food: Foie gras Fish Cheese: Roquefort

The "Coteaux (slope) de l'Hermitage" dominates the small town of Tain l'Hermitage in the Rhône Valley. The first plantations date from the 10th century but it is under Louis the XIV that l'Hermitage obtains its credential letters... Hermitage was the favorite cru of the Tsar court in Russia.

The red wines of Hermitage are generous and well balanced, strong aromas and a complete bouquet. Hermitage wines tolerate aging very well and become smooth and mellow when they mature.

Read more about Côtes du Rhône wines with Amazon.com : - Rhone Valley: The 90 Greatest Wines

Hermitage wine information :

Name: Appellation Hermitage Controlée

Location: Right bank of Rhone river, in Drôme department

Places: Tain-l’Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Larnage

Soil: Granite and gravels

Size: 140 ha (345 acres)

Production: 730,000 bottles Mostly red wines Grapes in Hermitage: Red: Syrah Marsanne and Roussane 15%

White: Roussane Marsanne Type of wines: Powerful full-body red wine

Full body white wine Red: Age of Hermitage: 10 to 20 years and more White: 7 to 15 years

Red: 2005, 2004, 2003, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1991, 1990, Vintages: 1989, 1988 (recommended) White: 2005, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995

Red: Red berries Chocolate Aromas in Hermitage: Leather

White: Vanilla Lime flowers White flowers Red: Game T-bone steak Food: Beef stew

White: Lobster Fish sauce hollandaise Red: Brie de Meaux

Cheese: White: Beaufort Cantal Comté

Crozes Hermitage is the largest of all the northern appellations ofCôtes du Rhône. The vineyards lay around Hermitage, where the soil is richer and easier to work with. Crozes Hermitage wines are less robust then Hermitage. Nevertheless, they are very aromatic and fruity.

Compared to the price of Hermitage, Crozes Hermitage is still affordable and offers great value for your money and your palate! Crozes Hermitage can be drunk young.

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Crozes Hermitage wine information :

Name: Appellation Crozes Hermitage Controlée

Location: Right bank of Rhone river, in Drôme department

Places: 11 villages including Tain-l’Hermitage, Mercurol and Larnage

Soil: Granite and gravels

Size: 1,300 ha (3,200 acres)

Production: 8 million bottles 90% red wine Grapes in Red: Crozes Syrah Hermitage: Marsanne and Roussane 15%

White: Roussane Marsanne Type of Fruity red wine wines: Age: 2 to 6 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004 (recommended)

Aromas: Black currant Cinnamon Red: Game birds Food: Steak tartare Meatballs Grilled red meat Cheeses Red: with Crozes Emmental Hermitage: Gruyère Lacandou

The Côtes du Rhône appellation is a very large one with about 10,000 vine growers for 250 million bottles and more. Vineyards are mostly in the southern part of the Rhône Valley.

Wines of Côtes du Rhône are very diverse although 95% of the production is red. They can be tannic and robust, or fruity and light.

Primeur wines - as in Beaujolais - are increasingly popular. They are very fruity and fresh and should be drunk now - from the 3rd week of November. Read more about Rhône wines with Amazon.com : - The Wines of the Northern Rhône

Côtes du Rhône AOC wine information :

Name: Appellation Côtes du Rhône Controlée

Location: Along the Rhône river mostly in the south part of the Rhône region

Places: 171 villages

Clay Soil: Clayey-limestone Stones

Size: 40,000 ha (100,000 acres) 1,500 wineries

Production: 2,000,000 hl 95% red wine ! Grapes in Red: Rhône: Grenache (40%) Syrah Mourvèdre Carignan Cinsault Type of Light to medium fruity red wine wines: Dry white Dry rosé

Age: Red: 2 to 5 years White: 1 to 3 years Rosé: drink young

Vintages: 2003, 2000 (recommended)

Red Fruits Aromas: Cherry Violets

Food: Beef steak Roasted pork Grilled white meat Hamburger Brie Coulommiers Cheese: Gaperon

Côtes du Rhône Villages

Inside the Côtes du Rhône generic appellation, the Côtes du Rhône Villages label applies to a limited number of villages based on their history, quality and specificity. The best of them can even add the name of the village after "Côtes du Rhône" (see below).

The Côtes du Rhône Villages wines are medium body, most of the time spicy, very diverse from one area to another: rich and able to age in Vinsobres, very fruity rosé in Chusclan, red and white sweet liquorous in Rasteau, spicy red in Cairanne, etc.

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Côtes du Rhône Villages wine information :

Appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages Controlée

Name: Appellation Appellation Côtes du Rhône Villages "name of the village" Controlée 16 villages can include their name: 2/3 of the Côtes du Rhône Villages production Location: Along the Rhône river, inside Côtes du Rhône AOC

75 villages Places: Cairanne, Rasteau, Vinsobres, Laudun, Baumes de Venise, Chusclan, etc

Clay Soil: Clayey-limestone Stones

Size: 4,500 ha (11,000 acres)

Production: 19 million bottles small white and rosé production Grapes in Rhône: Grenache (50%) Syrah Mourvèdre Type of wines: Medium body fruity red wines

Age: 2 to 6 years

Vintages: 2006, 2005, 2003 (recommended)

Cranberry Aromas in Rhône: Violets Cinnamon Roasted beef Food: Lamb chops Rabbit Bleu d'Auvergne Camembert Cheese: Fourme d'Ambert

Gigondas vineyards lay at the bottom of the Dentelles de Montmirail, a great scenery for a good value wine in the Rhone Valley. The history of Gigondas wine traces back to the Romans. They take advantage of the mediterranean weather and of the red clay soil.

Gigondas wine is robust, well-balanced and aromatic. Gigondas can be seen as an alternative to the expensive Châteauneuf du Pape.

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Gigondas wine information :

Name: Appellation Gigondas Controlée

Location: South part of the Rhone valley in Vaucluse department, east of Orange city

Places: Gigondas

Soil: Red clay

Size: 1,240 ha (3,000 acres)

Production: 5.5 million bottles

Grapes in Grenache Gigondas: Syrah Mourvèdre

Type of Full body red wine wines:

Age: 3 to 12 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995 (recommended)

Licorice Aromas: Red fruits Spices Game Food: Beef Stroganoff Spare ribs Cheese with St Marcellin Gigondas: Roquefort Epoisses

Chateauneuf du Pape

The Châteauneuf du Pape is the most famous Côtes du Rhône wine. The "Coteaux" (slope) of Châteauneuf du Pape is between Orange and Avignon cities, in one of the most beautiful landscapes of Provence. The Popes used to have their summer residence there in Châteauneuf du Pape (Pope in french).

The Châteauneuf du Pape wine is thick, harsh, powerful and richly colored. Red wine only, it is elaborated with 13 authorized and controlled grape-varieties among which Syrah, Grenache and Clairette.

Read more about Rhône wines with Amazon.com : - The Wines of the Northern Rhône

Châteaneuf du Pape wine information :

Name: Appellation Châteauneuf du Pape Controlée

Location: Just a few miles north of Avignon city Places: Châteauneuf du Pape and Orange, Sorgues, Courthèzon

Quartz stones Soil: Sandy red clay

Size: 3,100 ha (7,600 acres)

Production: 13.5 million bottles only 1% white wine ! Grapes in 13 grape varieties: Châteauneuf: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Cournoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan, Vaccarese

Type of Full body red wine wines:

Age: 5 to 20 years

Vintages: 2005, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1998, 1995, 1990, 1989, 1988 (recommended)

Vanilla Aromas: Red fruits Cinnamon Roasted beef Food: Game Coq au vin (coq au vin recipe) Roquefort St Marcellin Cheese: Langres Maroilles

Côtes du Ventoux Mont Ventoux is one of the most famous mountains in France (2,000 m, 6300ft) and marks the gate between Rhône and Provence. The weather in Côtes du Ventoux is very hot in the summer but cold in the winter and windy with the "mistral" blowing almost all the time!

The poor limestone soil of Côtes du Ventoux gives a fruity red wine, easy to drink and to appreciate. A good value wine.

Read more about Côtes du Rhône wines with Amazon.com : - Rhone Valley: The 90 Greatest Wines

Côtes du Ventoux wine information :

Name: Appellation Côtes du Ventoux Controlée

Location: South side of Mont Ventoux in Vaucluse

About 50 villages Places: Caromb, Mormoiron, Mazan, Roussillon, etc

Soil: Limestone

Size: 7,000 ha (17,000 acres)

4 million bottles Production: 85% red wine

Grapes in Ventoux: Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Picpoul, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Ugni blanc, etc

Type of Fruity red wine wines:

Age: Drink young 1 to 3 years

Vintages: 2005 (recommended) Aromas: Red fruits Quince

Food: Grilled red meat White meat Banon Cheese: Picodon

The Loire Valley is one of the most beautiful French wine regions

West side of the Loire Valley (around Nantes) : Muscadet Anjou Saumur : Anjou - Coteaux du Layon - Saumur

Touraine : Touraine - Bourgueil - Vouvray

East side of the Loire Valley : Pouilly Fumé - Sancerre

About the Loire Valley : Wines of Loire - Loire wine information - Loire region - Wine making in Loire - Loire wine and food - Buy Loire wines - Loire Valley main page

Other French wine regions : Alsace - Bordeaux - Burgundy - Champagne - Corsica - Côtes du Rhône - Languedoc-Roussillon - Provence - South West

Coteaux du Layon is the widest wine area of the Anjou region. Along the Layon river, the vines are protected by the hills in this lovely contryside.

Although wine makers produce a good semi-dry white wine, Coteaux du Layon is well known for the sweet white wine and for at least 15 centuries ! The most reputed of all is the sweet wine coming from Chaume.

The vine growers leave the grapes in their vines until they begin to over-ripe. They are then ready to harvest. It means that harvest take place in Coteaux du Layon later than other places in the Loire valley.

Coteaux du Layon wine information : Name: Appellation Coteaux du Layon Controlée Appellation Coteaux du Layon Villages Controlée Appellation Chaume Premier Cru Controlée Location: South of Angers city and West of Saumur, along the Layon river

Rochefort sur Loire, Saint Lambert du Lattay, Beaulieu sur Layon, Saint Places: Aubin de Luigné, Faye d'Anjou Concourson sur Layon, etc

Soil: Schist

Size: 1,800 ha (4,450 acres)

Production: 7 million bottles

Grapes: Chenin blanc

Type of Sweet white wine wines: Semi-dry white wine

Age: 10 to 20 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 1997, 1995, 1990, 1989 (recommended)

Honey Aromas: Fig Acacia

Food: Dessert wine

Livarot Maroilles Cheese: Pont l'Eveque

Saumur

In Saumur, wine makers build caves in the chalky soil so that wine can rest in stable condition. If you visit the area, we recommend you visit one of these caves (called "tuffeau" in french).

Wine makers produce red, dry white and sparkling white and rosé wines.

Red wines are fruity and light. The ones from Saumur Champigny are among the best red wines in the Loire Valley.

Sparkling wines take advantage of the chalky soil and of the caves mentioned above. They can be a cheaper alternative to Champagne.

White wines from Saumur are nervous and can age a few years in a cellar.

The Most Beautiful Villages of the Loire by Hugh Palmer, Jeff Bentley

275 color illustrations Over 30 villages of the Loire Valley Special wine section inside!

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Saumur wine information :

Appellation Saumur Champigny Controlée Appellation Saumur Controlée Appellation Cabernet de Saumur Controlée Name: Appellation Coteaux de Saumur Controlée Appellation Saumur Rouge Controlée Appellation Saumur Blanc Controlée Appellation Saumur Brut Controlée Location: South East of Angers city, on the left bank of the river, and East of Coteaux du Layon and Anjou.

Saumur, Le Puy Notre Dame, Varrains, Vaudelnay, Saint Cyr en Bourg, Places: Turquant, Champigny, Dampierre sur Loire, etc

Chalk Soil: Limestone

Size: 4,000 ha (9,900 acres)

Production: 20 million bottles

Grapes: Red: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon White: Chenin blanc, Chardonnay Type of Fruity red wine wines: Dry white wine Dry sparkling white wine

Red: 2 to 8 years Age: White: 1 to 3 years

Vintages: Red: 2003 (recommended) White: 2005

Sparkling wine: White flowers Brioche

White wine: Aromas: Apple Broom

Red wine: Red fruits Licorice

Food: Various

Cheese: Red: Chabichou du Poitou Crottin de Chavignol Saint Nectaire Valencay

Touraine is a huge wine area, just at the centre of the Loire Valley. It is also the place where you can find most of the famous Châteaux de la Loire.

All kind of wines are produced in Touraine.

Red wines from Touraine are predominantly made from Gamay grapes. The other place where we can find Gamay is in Beaujolais where it is the only grape used. Here in Touraine, Gamay is used with Cabernet, from Bordeaux, and Pinot Noir, from Burgundy. It means that red wine from Touraine is a great condensed french wine

However Gamay wines in Touraine do not taste that good. More and more, wine makers use Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir to bring balance to the wine.

The Most Beautiful Villages of the Loire by Hugh Palmer, Jeff Bentley

275 color illustrations Over 30 villages of the Loire Valley Special wine section inside!

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Touraine wine information :

Appellation Touraine Controlée Name: Appellation Touraine Mesland Controlée Appellation Touraine Azay le Rideau Controlée Appellation Touraine Noble Joué Controlée Appellation Touraine Amboise Controlée Location: At the heart of the Loire valley, around the city of Tours and close to the Châteaux de la Loire

Noyers sur Cher, Meusnes, Saint Georges sur Cher, Pouillé, Chatillon sur Places: Cher, Amboise, Limeray, Cheillé

Sand Soil: Clay Limestone

Size: 6,000 ha (15,000 acres)

Production: 26 million bottles

Red and rosé: Gamay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Grapes: Pineau White: Chenin blanc, Sauvignon Type of Light and fruity red wine wines: Light and fresh dry white wine Medium rosé Sparkling red, rosé and white wines

Red: 2 to 7 years Age: White: 1 to 4 years Rosé: drink now and up to 2 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended)

Red: Red fruits Black fruits Raspberry Aromas: White: Menthol Vanilla Litchee Red: Red meat Food: White: Aperitif Red: Boursin Camembert Chabichou du Poitou Saint Nectaire Cheese: Valencay

White: Maconnais Cheddar

Bourgueil is a terroir of red wine, similar to Chinon. You need to be an expert to distinguish the one from the other. This is because Bourgueil and Chinon share the same terroir specificity, history and wine making tradition.

It seems that some Bourgueil wines mature longer than their Chinon neighbor. Specially the ones coming from the south of the appellation and called "vins de cotes".

Bourgueil is often compared to the wines from Médoc in Bordeaux. Cabernet grapes are used to make both wines.

The Most Beautiful Villages of the Loire by Hugh Palmer, Jeff Bentley

275 color illustrations Over 30 villages of the Loire Valley Special wine section inside!

Click here ! Bourgueil wine information :

Name: Appellation Bourgueil Controlée Appellation Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil Controlée Location: West of Tours city, and East of Saumur

Bourgueil, Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil and Restigné, Benais, Places: Ingrandes de Touraine

Limestone Soil: Sand Gravel

Size: 1,200 ha (2,900 acres)

Production: 9 million bottles

Grapes: Cabernet Franc (or Petit Breton)

Type of Fruity red wine wines: Dry rosé (less than 5% of the production)

Age: Bourgueil: 3 to 10 years Saint Nicolas de Bourgueil: 2 to 5 years

Vintages: 2003, 1997 (recommended)

Red fruits Aromas: Black currant Green capsicum Food: With a starter

Port Salut Reblochon Saint Nectaire Cheese: Valencay Gouda

Vouvray

There is not only one Vouvray but several different Vouvrays. The wine can be sweet, flavored or full-body and dry. But one can say that Vouvray is always at its best.

The sweet wine has a golden color, is vigorous, fruity and fresh. The dry and semi dry are rich and intense.

There is also a sparkling wine in Vouvray. It is fruity as well - a trademark of the Vouvray terroir in the Loire Valley - and can mature for a few years which is quite uncommon for a sparkling wine.

Vouvray is definitely an unique wine, well more accurately, Vouvray are a few unique wines !

Vouvray wine information :

Name: Appellation Vouvray Controlée

Location: Right bank of the Loire river Close to Tours city and the Châteaux of Loire

Places: 8 villages: Vouvray, Rochecorbon, Vernou sur Brenne, etc

Clayey limestone Soil: Chalk

Size: 2,000 ha (4,900 acres)

Production: 13 million bottles

Grapes: Chenin blanc (Pineau blanc de la Loire)

Type of Sweet viscous white wine wines: Dry white wine Semi dry white wine Sparkling white wine

Sweet: sometimes over a century ! Dry: 5 to 25 years Age: Semi-dry: drink now and up to 5 years Sparkling: 1 to 4 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003, 1997, 1995, 1990, 1989 (recommended)

Quince Aromas: Honey Almond Chicken in white sauce Food: Veal in white sauce Fruits Cabécou Cheese: Camembert Crottin de Chavignol Livarot

Pouilly Fumé has an unusual flavor for a dry white wine: a strong flavor of musk and smoked.

Pouilly sur Loire is a different wine made with Chasselas grape variety. It should be drunk young. When the phylloxera destroyed all the vines 2 centuries ago, vine growers replace them with Sauvignonto create the Pouilly Fumé. Nowadays Pouilly sur Loire makes less than 5% of the production of Pouilly.

Pouilly is very close from Sancerre, just on the other side of the river. However both wines are a little bit different. Pouilly Fumé is probably thicker, deeper and has more structure.

Do not confuse Pouilly Fumé with Pouilly Fuissé, a white wine from Burgundy.

Pouilly Fumé wine information :

Name: Appellation Pouilly Fumé Controlée

Location: Eastern part of the Loire Valley East of Sancerre and Bourges

Places: Pouilly sur Loire, Saint Andelain, Tracy sur Loire, etc

Limestone Soil: Clayey-limestone

Size: 850 ha (2,100 acres)

Production: 6 million bottles White wine only! Pouilly Fumé: Sauvignon Grapes: Pouilly sur Loire: Chasselas Type of Thick dry white wine wines:

Age: 1 to 5 years

Vintages: 2003 (recommended)

Smoked Aromas: Broom Acacia Salmon Food: Chicken Veal Aperitif Crottin de Chavignol Cheese:

Sancerre is one of the most famous white wines in France. Sancerre is also a very nice village with a typical castle in the Loire valley.

Sancerre white wine is more delicate than close-by Pouilly Fumé. Sancerre matures a little bit faster than its neighbor.

Although wine tasters need to differentiate the Sancerre wines coming from marl terroir and the ones coming from limestone vineyards. The first are fruity and well balanced, the second are full flavored but less stable. Sancerre is produced on 15 villages. The wines coming from Bué and Chavignol are the best.

Sancerre wine information :

Name: Appellation Sancerre Controlée

Location: North-east of Bourges city, in the east part of the Loire Valley, on the left bank of the river

Bannay, Bué, Chavignol, Crézancy, Menetou-Ratel, Ménétréol, Montigny, Places: St-Satur, Ste-Gemme, Sancerre, Sury-en-vaux, Thauvenay, Veaugues, Verdigny and Vinon

Soil: Marl (called "white soil") Limestone

Size: 2,200 ha (5,400 acres)

Production: 16 million bottles

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Type of Nervous dry white wine wines: Light and flavored red wine

Age: 1 to 5 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended)

Aromas: Grapefruit (and citrus) White flowers Shellfish Food: Trout Fish Cheese: Chabichou du Poitou Crottin de Chavignol Pouligny Saint Pierre Valencay

Muscadet is produced in 4 wine terroirs around the city of Nantes, in the West of the Loire Valley. The Muscadet Sèvre et Maine is the most important and the best of them.

In the Muscadet region, wine makers use to leave the grape juice to rest during winter before putting the wine in bottle.

Muscadet is a dry white wine that is a fine companion to shellfish.

The quality of Muscadet varies very much from one winery to another.

The Most Beautiful Villages of the Loire by Hugh Palmer, Jeff Bentley

275 color illustrations Over 30 villages of the Loire Valley Special wine section inside!

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Muscadet wine information :

Appellation Muscadet Controlée Name: Appellation Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Controlée Appellation Muscadet Coteaux de la Loire Controlée Appellation Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Controlée Location: Around the city of Nantes, from Ancenis to the Atlantic coast

Places: Vallet, La Haye Fouassière, Le Landreau, Mouzillon, La Chapelle Heulin, Château Thébaud, Maisdon sur Sèvre, Le Landreau, Saint Philbert de Grand Lieu

Soil: Granite

Size: 12,500 ha (30,900 acres)

Production: almost 100 million bottles

Grapes: Melon (or Muscadet)

Type of Dry white wine wines: also sweet white wine

Age: Drink now and up to 2 years

Vintages: 2005 (recommended)

White flowers Aromas: Anise Citrus Oysters Food: Shellfish Aperitif Nantais Cheese:

Anjou wines are made around the city of Angers. They were very popular as soon as in the 6th century. During the 13th and 14th centuries, Anjou was one of the most popular wines in England. And then in Holland and Belgium.

Nowadays Anjou is famous for the rosé d'Anjou. Rosé wine makes about half of the production in Anjou. However we should recommend the white wine from Anjou. New techniques and aging in oak barrel have improved the wine. Red wine from Anjou Villages deserve as well a special note.

The Most Beautiful Villages of the Loire by Hugh Palmer, Jeff Bentley

275 color illustrations Over 30 villages of the Loire Valley Special wine section inside!

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Anjou wine information :

Appellation Anjou Rouge Controlée Appellation Anjou Gamay Controlée Appellation Anjou Villages Controlée Name: Appellation Cabernet d'Anjou Controlée Appellation Rosé d'Anjou Controlée Appellation Anjou Blanc Controlée Appellation Anjou Mousseux Controlée Location: Covers Maine et Loire department, west of Touraine

Beaulieu sur Layon, Thouarcé, Martigné Briand, Saint Lambert du Lattay, Places: La Pommeraye, Faye d'Anjou, Rochefort sur Loire, Rablay sur Layon, Brissac Quincé

Soil: Various

Size: 9,000 ha (22,200 acres)

Production: 55 million bottles

Rosé and red: Grapes: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grolleau White: Chenin blanc, Sauvignon, Chardonnay Type of Sweet rosé wines: Dry white wine Light and medium body red wine

Red: 2 to 6 years Age: White: 1 to 3 years Rosé: now to 2 years

Vintages: 2005, 2003 (recommended)

Red: Black currant and black fruits Red fruits Aromas: White: White flowers Apricot Crystallized fruit Red: Red meat

Food: White: Fish

Rosé: Cold meat White: Chabichou du Poitou

Cheese: Red: Camembert Crottin de Chavignol

Champagne map

Read more about Champagne with Amazon.com : - World Encyclopedia of Champagne by Tom Stevenson

About Champagne : Champagne Wine Map - Champagne information - Champagne region - Champagne wine history - Wine making in Champagne - Wine classification - Champagne and food - Tasting Champagne - Buy Champagne - Champagne main page Champagne wine, as we know it today, was created by a monk called Dom Perignon during the 17th century. He managed to understand the typical fermentation, mix the grape varieties, invent the cork and add sugar which dissolve the carbonic gas in the wine.

Summer and fall are quite sunny. The grapes in Champagne benefit from a lot of light. The soil made of chalk reflects the sunlight into the the grapes.

The chalky soil is ideal for Champagne wine. It absorbs water during winter and gives it back to the vine's roots during summer. The other way around, it absorbs heat during summer to give it back during winter.

The soil of Champagne is very famous for the cellars winemakers have built. They are about 200 kilometers of cellars dig in the chalk soil. They use these cellars to store the bottles at the perfect temperature and humidity level.

Winemakers use 3 types of grape to produce Champagne. Chardonnay is a white grape. Chardonnay is the typical grape used in great Burgundy white wines. Pinot Noir is a red grape traditionally used in Burgundy to make their famous red wines. Pinot Meunier is a red grape mostly used in Champagne. Pinot Meunier gives a less delicate wine and is mostly used to make second grade Champagne.

- Chardonnay provides freshness and elegance

- Pinot Meunier brings fruitiness and aromas

- Pinot Noir gives body and structure

The three main areas in Champagne are :

- Montagne de Reims : south of Reims city, where the best Pinot Noir grow

- Cote des Blancs : south of Epernay city, where the best Chardonnay grow - Vallée de la Marne : west of Epernay city, where the best Pinot Meunier grow

It is one of the main reason why winemakers blend grapes from these 3 different terroirs to come up with the best grape juices.

More :

Champagne wine making process

Other types of Champagne: Blanc de blancs, Blanc de noir and rosé Champagne

Some winemakers keep the tradition of making traditional wines in Champagne.

Champagne wine making information :

Size of the 35,000 hectares (85,000 acres) vineyards:

Vineyards: 15,000 wine growers, 300 wineries

Soil: Chalk

Weather: Continental, cool winter, sunny summer and fall

Grapes Chardonnay (26%), Pinot Meunier (36%), Pinot Noir (38%) in Champagne:

Production: 250 million bottles

Type of Wine: Sparkling wine

Winner of the Louis Roederer International Champagne Writer of the Year Award 2005

4000 Champagnes, unprecedented in scope, plunges readers into the culture, history, and potential of this treasured beverage. Rich in description and practical in its application, 4000 Champagnes is divided into two main sections. The first is a passionate and comprehensive account of the Champagne region and its wines. It includes chapters on champagne's history, winemaking methodology, growing conditions, food matches, labels, a tour of the towns and villages of the French region, and sparkling wines from across the globe. In the book's groundbreaking and expansive section of tasting notes, Richard Juhlin provides the reader with practical information culled from his personal experiences at over 4000 tastings. A detailed portrait of each champagne house precedes a rating and description of each of the wines tasted there. Such depth of insight from a single source has never before been available. Written in Juhlin's authoritative and often humorous voice, 4000 Champagnes is an indispensable buying and tasting tool and an entertaining account of the history of champagne. The book includes several "best champagnes" lists, champagne statistics, telephone numbers and addresses of thousands of champagne producers, and a glossary. 4000 Champagnes is the supreme guide to a drink that has come to epitomize luxury and elegance.

About the Author Richard Juhlin has been hailed "The Champagne King" by the likes of Henri Krug and Christian Pol-Roger. A celebrated Swedish champagne expert, Juhlin was a principal organizer for the famous Millennium tasting. Juhlin's published works include La Grande Dégustation and 2000 Champagnes, and he holds the world record for the most champagnes ever tasted.

The first wine was made in Champagne about 2,000 years ago.

Champagne was already famous in the middle-age. But it was not the same wine we use to drink these days. At that time, wine was red or white not sparkling, quite similar to wine from Burgundy. People used barrels to ship their wines. They noticed that the next Spring season following the harvest, the wine tended to foam. It was not good for business.

The first Champagne was made in the 17th century. A monk called Dom Perignon was the first to understand the process of Champagne fermentation and to elaborate the process. He managed to mix red and white grapes from different villages and therefore perfected the way winemakers at that time used to produce sparkling wine.

Nowadays, Champagne is a festive wine.

But a few traditional wines from Champagne are still available.

Champagne wine making - Champagne process - Other types of Champagne

How Champagne is made ?

1: alcoholic fermentation Conversion of natural sugar into alcohol, the grape juice turns into still wine.

2: assembling the wine Liquid from different harvests, from different areas are blend together.

3: bottling The Champagne is put in bottle with yeast and sugar.

4: malolactic fermentation he yeasts turn sugar into alcohol and CO2. The carbon dioxide (CO2) cannot escape from the bottle and is dissolved in the Champagne, forming the bubbles. 5: maturation Champagne bottles are stored horizontally in natural cool and dark chalk cellar for 1 to 3 years.

6: dégorgement During maturation, the winemaker rotates the bottles every day to remove the lees.

Other types of Champagne

Blanc de Blancs : This Champagne is made only with Chardonnay (white grape). There are only a few bottles made and there are quite expensive. The wine is more delicate than regular Champagne. It is the best aperitif wine available in France.

Blanc de Noirs : This Champagne is made with black grapes, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Most of the time, there is only Pinot Noir. Very few bottles are available, even less than Blanc de blancs.

Champagne Rosé : Pink Champagne is made with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Winemakers add a little bit of red wine during blending. Red wine is usually coming from Bouzy, a typical Pinot Noir still wine from Champagne. Do not confuse Pink Champagne with Rosé des Riceys which is a true rosé wine.

Wines in Champagne

Wine in Champagne region was famous even before the first Champagne as we know it today was made.

Nowadays, beside Champagne, winemakers still produce a few traditional wines.

Rosé des Riceys is a rosé and was one of the favorite wine of King Louis the XIV. It is one of the best rosés in the country. Winemakers use Pinot Noir. Rosé des Riceys should be drunk young.

Wine from Coteaux Champenois are usually red but there are some white and a few rosés. The most famous is the red wine from Bouzy. There, winemakers use traditional ways to work the vines and produce their wines. There are the only one in France to work the same way that people did 5 or 10 centuries ago. Red wines are Pinot Noir and should be drunk young. Typical aromas are raspberry, black currant and vanilla.

Many winemakers in the world use Champagne to brand their sparkling wines. However there is of course only one real Champagne wine.

In the European Union, only wines coming from the Champagne region can wear the name Champagne on the label.

In the area, 300 established wineries, known as "crus", produce Champagne.

There are basically two different kinds of Champagne.

Vintage: the bottle of Champagne wears a vintage year on the label. However they are not made every year but only when the wine is good enough. They are the best Champagne specially Tête de Cuvée or Premium vintage such as the most famous Dom Perignon. Non-vintage: they make more than 80 percent of all Champagne bottles. Winemakers mix different harvests from different places. They mature in cellar for 2 to 3 years before going into the market. They should stay in your cellar for one to two years before drinking them.

There are 3 AOC (wine grade classification) in the region :

- Champagne

- Coteaux Champenois (traditional red wine)

- Rosé des Riceys (one of the best french rosé)

Champagne is usually served alone as festive wine. Therefore nothing distract the taster from exploring the aromas of the wine.

However Champagne is a perfect match with many meals and dishes such as:

- Foie gras - Smoked salmon - Lobster in white sauce - Oysters - Caviar

Food from Champagne :

- Agneau à la champenoise (stuffed shoulder of lamb with tomatoes) - Pork chops grilled - game: wild boar, guinea fowl, pheasant - fish: eel, trout - pork: ham, salami, andouillete, boudin blanc (white pudding) with Cuisine-France, French cooking and recipes

Cheeses in Champagne :

- Langres - Chaource - Brie de Meaux with Cheese-France, the French Cheese Guide

About Champagne :

A Champagne bottle should mature in a cellar for one to two years.

Vintage bottles - the ones wearing a vintage year on their label - can mature longer. Champagne winemakers use to mature them from 3 to 8 years.

It is not recommended to leave in a refrigerator for more than 3 days a bottle already opened, even with a teaspoon inside.

The best vintage years are 1990, 1989, 1985 and specially 1982.

There are several different kinds of Champagne according to your taste:

- Doux (means sweet), 4% and more of sugar - Demi-sec (fairly sweet), 2.5 to 5% of sugar - Sec (sweet/dry), 1.75 to 2.5% of sugar - Extra sec (medium dry), 1.5 to 2% of sugar - Brut (dry), 0.5 to 1.5% of sugar, the most common Champagne these days - Extra brut (very dry), 0 to 0.5% of sugar

Tasting Champagne : Champagne is traditionally served in a typical glass called flute or in a tulip: a long stem with a tall glass. This kind of glass prevents the aromas to unfold. The height of the glass is necessary for the bubbles to rise to the surface and keep a constant temperature.

It is not recommended to pour Champagne to the top of the glasses but only up to 2/3 of the glass.

Champagne is always served cold and chilled. But not too cold, otherwise the wine is not able to release its aromas.

A non-vintage Champagne should be drunk at 8 °C (46 °F). A vintage Champagne at 10 °C (50 °F).

Champagne information

Champagne is one of the most well known wines in the world. Champagne is definitely a festive wine.

The champagne region spreads in the North East of France, around the cities of Reims and Epernay.

There are basically 3 different areas in the Champagne wine region :

- Montagne de Reims

- Côte des Blancs

- Marne Valley

The most basic information on the wine of Champagne are :

Location: East of Paris, and West of Alsace Champagne region information

Size: 25,000 km2 (size of the Champagne Ardennes region)

Size of the 35,000 hectares (85,000 acres) vineyards:

Grapes in Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir Champagne:

Production: 250 million bottles Champagne wine making

Type of Wine: Sparkling wine

Champagne Oysters, Caviar, Foie gras, Smoked Salmon and food: Champagne and food

Geography of Champagne :

Champagne region is located East of Paris, along the Marne, Vesle and Aisne rivers. The wine region starts 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Paris, around the city of Meaux and stretches along the Marne river to the city of Epernay.

Champagne spreads on 3 districts: Marne, Aube and Aisne. The heartland of the Champagne region is Marne which can be separated into 3 areas: Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Cote des Blancs. Weather is quite special in Champagne. Winter is cool, summer and fall are sunny. The average temperature in the region is around 11 to 12 C (52 to 53.5 F). Champagne is the most up north wine region in France. Sparkling wine usually come from areas where grapes don't have enough sun to ripe according to other wine standards.

The soil is chalky which is what is needed for Champagne wine.

Champagne Region Information :

Location: East of Paris, along the Marne river

Size: 25,000 km2 (size of the Champagne Ardennes region)

Weather: Continental, cool winter, sunny summer and fall

Population: 1.2 million (population of Champagne region)

Main Cities: Reims (185,000) Troyes (60,000) Chalons en Champagne (50,000) Epernay (25,000) Places of Reims cathedral Interest: Cellars (originally chalk mines) Champagne Wine Road Troyes (ancient houses)