French Wine
When Americans think of fine wine, a huge percentage will automatically
think French. With good reason - some of the finest wines in the world
come from France.
Yes, there are great wines from all over the world. In the famous
Judgement of Paris, Steven Spurrier's 1976 tasting of the wines of France
vs. California, the American's won handily.
Still, there is really no substitute for the great wines of
Bordeaux and
Burgundy, the
Rhone,
Alsace and the
Loire. How could we celebrate without
Champagne? Looking for value? You'll find it in
Beaujolais and the
Languedoc.
Bordeaux
is the home base for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and Burgundy is the
home of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Sauvignon Blanc hails from the Loire
(
Sancerre and
Pouilly Fume)
and Syrah is from the Rhone. These may not be the genetic home of these
grapes, but it is from these places that they got their worldwide
acclaim.