Posts Tagged ‘wine production’

France is one of the five largest wine producing regions in the world along with the United States, Spain, Italy and Argentina. Within France there are several wine producing regions namely, Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Corsica, Ctes du Rhone, Languedoc-Roussillon, Loire Valley, Provence and South West. The quality of wine produced may differ greatly from region to region. Although there are many wine producers in each region, there are some wine producers who are regarded as the best in a particular region.

In Bordeaux, Vieux Chateau, Chteau Haut-Marbuzet, Chteau de Haux, Chteau Thieuley, Chteau Desmirail, Chteau Faugres, Chteau Fourcas-Dupr, Chteau La Tour de By are some of the more popular wine producers. In Provence, some of the popular vineyards are Chteau de Roquefort, Chteau Roubine, and Chteau Calissanne. In Languedoc, Domaine Haut-Lirou, Domaine Coupe-Roses, Domaine du Grand Chemin and Domaine de l’Hortus are some of the popular producers. In the region of Burgundy, Domaine Laroche, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard and Domaine Gros Frre et Soeur are some of the popular names in the field of wine production. Chteau de Chamboureau, Domaine de la Charmoise and Chteau de Fesles are some of the popular producers of wine in the region of Loire. In southern Rhone, producers such as Chateau de Campuget, Chateau Mont-redon, Clos du Pape and Chateau de Beaucastel are regarded highly.

There are a number of French wine producers all over France and this mention of some of the producers is by no means to be considered as exhaustive. It is merely a small list of the popular names. There are a number of French wine producers in many of the wine producing countries such as the United States and Spain and these producers are also quite highly regarded as far as the quality and taste of the French wine is considered.

Author: Jimmy Sturo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Champagne! That word brings to mind festive celebrations filled with cheer and visions of the golden fizzy drink that graces the occasion. Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux all these are in fact regions in France where these world famous drinks are produced. France is the most influential in the wine-world, and its wines have decorated tables around the globe and dominated palates for centuries. Its wine-making history has its roots in the ancient Roman times.

Currently France is the second in wine production, but boasts of the best quality of wines. French winemaking is the accepted procedure for wine-producing countries of the world. France produces all kinds of wines, from the cheap table wines to the expensive vintages. Rare vintages are most sought after, and are a collector’s item with prices of thousands of dollars for a bottle.

French wine is an integral part of the French identity and pride, as demonstrated by the wines having more of a regional than a national identity. Different regions have their own classification systems, particular grape varieties, and special production methods which is many layered and complex.

The qualities and prices depend on the kind of wines: some are made for immediate consumption while others are kept for a long time in cellars. Typical styles have been developed to accompany different kinds of meals, be it a quick snack type meal, a cafe meal or a multi-course menu in a sophisticated restaurant. Recently “bar wines” have been developed for drinking alone unaccompanied by any food. All kinds of wines are available, to suit the most exacting gastronomy.

French wine can be red, rose or white, and come in dry, semi-sweet or sweet varieties. They are further available as sparkling or fortified. Labels on the bottles indicate the potentiality of the wine, carrying information on the region where the grapes were produced, how it was bottled (on the field, on the estate, or using traded grapes), and also the blends that are used in the wine. For example, a distinctive mark called “Vigneron independant” is used by the wine-make to distinguish their wine from larger corporate winemaking companies, and emphasizes a return to the traditional basic of the wine-making craft. A special logo is printed on the foil cap covering the cork of the independent wine-makers.

Research suggests tremendous health benefits from wines, especially red wine. The French, who are traditional wine drinkers have very low heart disease rate which is attributed to the chemical called procyanidins which do not allow the blood vessels to constrict. The highest levels of procyanidins are found in the red wines from south of France and Sardinia in Italy. Apart from this, the wines have antioxidants, suppress some strains of bacteria, and have cancer-alleviating properties.

The French have been the largest consumers on their own wines, and the consumption has been dropping due to the lowering of the per capita income. The winemakers therefore have had to rely on exports and there too, they have been facing severe competition with many new productions emerging from different parts of the world.

Author: James Copper
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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