Posts Tagged ‘chenin blanc’

There are many different fine wines from France. Known as the wine capital of the world, France boasts many delectable wines that people from all over the world enjoy. Most fine wines from France are named after the region they come from, though there are some which take their root from French words, such as Pinot Noir.

Some of the best fine wines from France include Pinot Blanc from the region of Alsace, Bordeaux, the Corton from the Burgundy regions, Champagne, the Merlot and Chardonnay from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, the Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir from the Loire regions, and the Carignan and Clairette wines from the Rhone regions.

The Pinot Blanc is a full-bodied white wine grape, its origins coming from the well known Pinot Noir. The majority of these grapes are grown in the Alsace region. It’s complexion while on the vine is said to resemble that of the Chardonnay grape. Lamb, beef, or some soft cheeses go well with the Pinot Blanc.

The Corton is a Grand Cru wine. It can be made into a white and red wine, the red wine variety being one of the most powerful of the Cote de Beaune reds. This is not for early drinking, as it goes better with that of later dinner parties.

The Merlot is a red wine grape. It is one of the most popular of the fine wines of France, especially in the United States. This wine dates all the way back to the late eighteenth century. Pastas, stews, and duck go well with Merlot.

The Chardonnay is a white wine grape, grown almost anywhere wine is made. It is used in a variety of sparkling wines. The Chardonnay is the second most widely grown white grape in all of France, just behind Ugni Blanc. It goes quite nice with roast chicken or turkey.

The Chenin Blanc is a white wine grape. It is of a great variety, used to make anything from a dry wine to a dessert wine. In France, this is one of the more expensive wines, but is well worth the cost. The Chenin Blanc goes well with sushi and pork.

The Carignan is a red wine grape. It is blended with many different wines, including the aforementioned Merlot. It has many different flavors and aromas, including cherry and strawberry.

The Clairette is a white wine grape. It is one of the oldest of the southern grape varieties. Unlike some of the previous wines, this one is high in alcohol and low in acidity.

Whether you are looking for a white wine or a red wine, a dry wine or a dessert wine, this list of some of the finest wines from France is sure to delight the taste buds of anyone wanting to dabble in the tasting of a delicious wine.

Author: Ian Pennington
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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If you are looking for fine French wine and food, consider the Loire Valley region of central France. You may find a bargain, and I hope that youll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour in which we review a white Chenin Blanc from Anjou-Saumur in the central part of the region.

Among Frances eleven wine-growing regions the Loire Valley ranks number three when it comes to the acreage devoted to vineyards. The Loire is Frances longest river running for 620 miles (one thousand kilometers) across the center of the country. In many ways the Loire Valley can be considered as a series of regions. Here they are running from west to east: Nantais whose primary grape is the white Muscadet, Anjou-Saumur whose primary grapes are the white Chenin Blanc and the red Cabernet Franc, Touraine whose primary white grapes are Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Cabernet Franc, and Central Vineyards whose primary white grape is Sauvignon Blanc and whose primary red grape is Pinot Noir. We will review at least one wine from each of these four areas.

Saumur is a city of about thirty-five thousand inhabitants where the Loire and the Thouet Rivers meet in the Anjou and Saumur zone of the Loire Valley, east of the Nantes and west of Tours. It is a bourgeois city proud of its historic center and Fourteenth Century Church of St-Pierre and the city square of the same name. And of course there is a Loire Valley turreted Castle, the Chteau de Saumur well worth the visit even though the Muse des Arts Dcoratifs (Decorative Arts Museum) and the Muse du Cheval (Equestrian Museum) may be closed to the public.

Saumurs Riding School, the Cadre Noir de Saumur (literally the Black Cadre) was founded well over one hundred fifty years ago. Its instructors, whether military or civilian, wear beautiful black and gold uniforms in public performances that attract up to forty thousand spectators. If you are at all interested in equestrian performances make sure to catch their class act. And stop by the Maison du Vin (House of Wine) for more information on this great wine-growing region.

Before reviewing the Loire wine and imported cheeses that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region. Start with Rillions (Big chunks of Pork cooked in Pork Fat). For your second course savor Bcasse foure au Foie Gras (Woodcock stuffed with Foie Gras). And as dessert indulge yourself with Tarte Tatin (Upside down Apple Tart).

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Domaine de Saint-Just Saumur Blanc 2005 AC 12.5% alcohol about $13

Lets start by quoting the marketing materials. We see very little white Saumur in our market, so this is a rare treat indeed. Made with 100% Chenin Blanc, it shows the aromatic virtues of the grape coupled with racy acidity. The result is a wine that may be enjoyed in its youth with seafood dishes such as grilled prawns, but will definitely age gracefully for 3-5 years.

My first meal was fried chicken-breast scaloppini, with rice and Turkish salad. This wine was very refreshing and pleasantly acidic. It was palate-cleansing with a lot of lime. It was quite present when pairing with a strong Turkish salad.

The next meal consisted of slow-cooked chicken legs with a mix of Eastern spices, brown rice, and green beans. The Saumur Blanc was quite forward with plenty of fruit and acidity. It was very pleasant.

The final pairing involved whole-wheat spaghetti and hamburgers but no tomato sauce. The wine was refreshingly acidic with a lot of lime. It was very long. While the wine was somewhat flattened by a fruit-juice candy, it displayed delicate fruit and acidity when paired with a good-quality cheesecake.

The first cheese pairing was with a mild Italian Pecorino Friulano cheese. This was no success; the wine became a bit thin and lost a lot of its fruit. Then I tried a nutty Dutch Edam cheese. The wine was moderately fruity and I would say that combination was OK but not great.

Final verdict. I liked this wine and would buy it again. I feel that it was quite good for the price. And theres not all that much more to say about it.

Author: Levi Reiss
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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