France is one of the oldest wine producing regions in Europe, and the production of wine in France actually has its origins as far back as in the 6th century BC. When it comes to French wine there are several major regions of France that are especially significant, including Alsace, Beaujolais, Bergerac, Jura, Champagne, Loire Valley and Rhone Valley.

French Wine

French wines are not industrial products, but rather they are the product of a combination of different factors, including grape variety, climate, soil and the wine grower’s care for the vineyards. There are a few different varieties of French wine in particular that are particularly significant, and which are generally separated into the black grape wine and white grape wine categories.

The black grape French wine varieties have a light colored pulp, similar to the white varieties, however it is their dark colored skin which contains the grape’s pigments and tannins which will be imparted to the wine during fertilization.

Cabernet Franc is one of the most well known black grape French wine types, and it is truly considered as being the shining star of Loire reds. This robust and early-ripening wine does not have much in common with the similar named Cabernet Sauvignon, although many people believe this is so.

The Cabernet Sauvignon French wines have become extremely well known worldwide, and they come primarily from Medoc, where the wine’s optimum expression can easily be obtained by blending it with Merlot. This wine offers a very aromatic complexity and an aging potential which is provided by its firm tannins. It is also often used to produce Vins de Pays, and is successfully fermented on the grape pulp in areas like Languedoc to produce a wine that is excellent even when consumed young.

Another of the most major French wine types is Carignan, which is a variety that has actually suffered greatly from image problems. It offers naturally high yields, and has been long used for mass produced wines and lower quality table wines. It is frost resistant and yet it must be planted in warm climates as it has a long growing season and thus may not be able to ripen fully otherwise.

France is definitely one of the most respected and predominant areas in the world when it comes to wine, and so next time you are out choosing a wine try one from the France locale and enjoy the ripened, delicious aged flavor.