French Grape Varieties and Appellations – A Guide

France is not only the prevalent wine-growing nation in the world, but it also takes tribute for being among the oldest wine regions in the whole world. Recently, more than 790,975 hectares of vines are planted in France to grow grapes for beer and wine. French grape varieties comprise Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and Pinot Noir, and much more.

More than the centuries, various grape varieties have entered some regions of France. Types recognized in black are red (known as “black”) grapes, and green are white grapes. The quantity by grape variety denotes the percentage of the winery’s total part that should be planted with a particular type. The three largest French wine regions are Rhône Valley, Provence, and Languedoc.

The Three Largest French Wine Regions:

Rhône Valley: Rhône Valley is famous for its strong red wines, prepared in various elegances in the Rhone Valley area’s southern and northern ends. The region of the Rhône Valley provides a complete variety of old-style wines in 3 shades with a leading red wine.

Provence: Provence is situated in the southeast and near the Mediterranean Sea. Roses from Provence are usually light pink, and they display an intricate aromatic profile that mixes fruits and fragrances of white flowers, citrus, exotic fruit, and herbs. They create excellent strainer, but they also operate well with lamb, veal, scallops, fish, or crustaceans.

Languedoc: Languedoc-Roussillon is the biggest area in terms of winery surface and manufacture. The Languedoc area has leveraged the skill to sell varietal wines. Languedoc-Roussillon is a wine of spot, which combines perfectly with the shiny oyster and other seafood of the coast.

French Grape Varieties

Over the centuries, French grape varieties have formed many of the best wines. The taste, shade, and smell of every wine depend on the white or red grapes mixed for fermentation. In many areas, winemakers produce mixed wines from different grape varieties; in other regions, the wines are obtained from a particular type.

Bordeaux Varieties (Commonly Used In Place Of Red Varieties): Merlot, and Cabernet France, principally; Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot are two minor red varieties of Bordeaux

White Grapes Varieties: Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Marsanne, Pinot Blanc, Muscadet, Riesling, Sémillon, Roussanne, and Viognier.

Red Grapes Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Gamay, Cinsault, Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, Mourvèdre, Pinot Noir, and Syrah.

Southern French Varieties (Normally Used in Place of Red Varieties): Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Carignan.

French Grape Appellations:

Bonnes-Mares:

Bonnes-Mare is the outstanding cru vineyard situated in the Côte de Nuits region (Côte-d’Or). Bonnes-Mares are fully planted in Pinot Noir, creating wines thicker and extremely strong than those from Le Musigny, and you can preserve it for many years.

Clos Saint-Denis:

Clos Saint-Denis is the best French appellation and top cru vineyard situated in the Côte de Nuits region of Maroon that makes wines mainly depends on Pinot Noir. The wines are usually stylish and pleasant with aromas of red and dark fruit.

Chénas:

Chénas is the lowest imposing cru in the major Beaujolais appellation situated between the Rhone and Saone-et-Loire sections. Chénas appellation makes completely-bodied Gamay-based wines that are tasteful and the first choice of every person.

Fitou:

Fitou is also the top French appellation based in Languedoc (Aude) that makes red wines mainly based on Grenache and Carignan. Fitou is one of the oldest wine appellations of Languedoc. These wines have the usual aroma of black fruits, ripe red hints of violets, herbs, spices, and vanilla nuances.

Côte de Brouilly:

Côte de Brouilly is a Beaujolais top cru situated in the Rhône area on the volcanic hills of Mont Brouilly. These vibrant wines are a good match to chicken and poultry and game, charcuterie, red meat, terrine, and soft-middle cheese varieties.

Morgon:

Morgon is a French appellation situated in Beaujolais that makes juicy red wines from famous Gamay grapes. They become extremely sophisticated and passionate with age, and the most excellent instance is that you can keep it from five up to ten years.

Final Conclusion

France has usually been the biggest consumer of its wines. Nearly all the prevalent grape varieties used in the world’s beer or wines are French, meaning that they are also created in France. It became famous via their French expression wines. If you want to ask something interesting about French grape varieties and appellations, drop the comment in the below-provided box.