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France is one of the two biggest wine-producing country in the world, along with Italy. France produces many different wines, each with their own typical character, and is home to many of the world's most famous wines.
All types of wine are produced in France, each of them ranging from the cheapest and simplest versions to some of the world's most prestigious and expensive wines.
A very large number of grapes are cultivated in France, including both world-famous and obscure local varieties. Most internationally used varieties originated in France, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
French vintners enjoy unique winegrowing conditions. With most of its borders delimited by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, France offers unique climate variations, which produce wines that couldn't be obtained anywhere else in the world.
France tightly defines, classifies and controls its wines, especially since the introduction of the strict AOC appellation system in 1935, followed by the VDQS in 1949 and the Vins de Pays in 1979.
Generally the highest quality and most traditional types of French wine are labelled AOC. This appellation system identifies wines by place name, so you won't see a varietal named on the label. For example, the French assume you know that if it is white wine from Sancerre, it is Sauvignon Blanc, since that is the only white grape allowed to be grown there.
edit Facts and figures
- Annual production average: 5.3 billion liters
edit History
edit Geography
edit Climate
edit Viniculture
edit Appellation system
By order of (theorical) quality level:
- Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée or AOC: one of the most strict classification systems in the world. Used to control the geographical origin, varietals used, production method, yield and other aspects of winemaking. Generally the highest quality and most traditional types of French wine are labelled AOC. The appellation system identifies wines by place name, so you won't see a varietal named on the label. The French assume you know that if it is white wine and from Sancerre, it must be Sauvignon Blanc, since that is the only white grape allowed to be grown there.
- Vin Délimité de Qualité Supérieure or VDQS: there aren't that many wines labelled VDQS, but they can be of very high quality. Often, they are a respected area outside the geographical limit of an AOC, and they are awaiting elevation to AOC status. Another example of a wine labelled VDQS might be that a winemaker within an AOC has chosen to blend in grape varietals that the appellation system doesn't allow. Many great French winemakers think the AOC system is too restrictive, and they flaunt the rules then declassify the wine to VDQS status. These wines can be terrific!
- Vin de pays: France also produces a vast array of quality table wines known as "vins de pays", which means "country wine". These are from outside AOC areas, where non-traditional varietals and higher yields are allowed.
- Vin de table and Vin de cépage: Other, less qualitative French wines are classified as vins de table (table wines) with the name of their region of origin, or as vins de cépage (varietal wine) with the name of a specific varietal without any geographical indication. This last classification is not regulated.
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