France has been the largest supplier of wine on the world market for many years. The area of its vineyards and the volume of production are expressed in astronomical figures, and the share in total world wine exports is approaching 20%. At the same time, the range of French wines offered to the consumer is also impressive: from budget and simple to elite, the prices for which exceed all reasonable limits. The wines of France, along with its famous haute cuisine, are the reason for the popularity of gastronomic and wine tours to this country, to which, among others, Russian citizens are striving to get into.
Achievements and national pride
For many people, the concept of "Wine of France" is as inextricably linked to this European state as the Eiffel Tower, haute couture, musketeers and 360 varieties of local cheese. France is home to many popular and valuable grape varieties, including Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Winemaking traditions, created by the French for centuries, have spread across the planet, and the masters of French winemaking work in other countries and teach local fans of the ancient craft special subtleties and secrets.
The French honor wine not only as a drink or an export item that brings the lion's share of income to the treasury, but also as a part of their national culture, a subject of special pride. The Wine Museum opened in Paris is a confirmation of this. Its exposition is especially popular among tourists and Parisians themselves.
About terroirs
It was the French who introduced the concept of terroir into winemaking. This term denotes a set of a huge number of factors affecting the quality of wine: from the type of soil and the height of the vineyard above sea level to the steepness of the slope where the grapes grow, and the direction of the wind at the time of its ripening. The terroir is indicated on the label of each bottle of French wine, down to the type of wine cellar and the type of wood used in the manufacture of barrels.
The region where it was produced plays a significant role in the quality and properties of wine. All French wines are divided into several groups depending on the region:
- White wines from the province of Alsace, which are usually bottled in long-necked bottles, called the "Alsatian flute".
- Beaujolais wines made from Gamay grapes.
- The most extensive region for the production of controlled appellation products is Bordeaux, whose wines have been successfully exported to England since the 13th century. It was here that a bottle of white chateau was produced, the price of which at the auction was unbelievable by any standards 200 thousand euros.
