France is the most influential
wine-producing area in the w orld
and has developed superfine natural still wines and the finest sparkling
wine—champagne. The Bordeaux region furnishes red wine known as claret
(or simply Bordeaux) and white wine, both dry except for Sauternes. The
best-known Bordeaux wines are those of Médoc (red), classified and known
by the vineyard names, as Château Lafite-Rothschild, Château Margaux,
and Château Latour; Graves (red or white); Sauternes (white), sweet,
made from overripe grapes and including the noted Château d'Yquem; and
St.-Emilion and Pomerol. Burgundy wines, red and white, are somewhat
lighter in body than the Bordeaux. Connoisseurs prize the Burgundies of
the Côte d'Or, especially the white Montrachet, and red Clos Vougeot and
Romanée. The Chablis area produces fine, white Burgundy. Good wines are
made in the Loire valley (Vouvray), the Rhône valley (Hermitage and
Châteauneuf-du-Pape), Alsace, and the Jura Mts. A great quantity of wine
is produced in S France, some of it made into vermouth, distilled into
brandy, or used for blending, and some of it of superior quality. |
