{"id":10085,"date":"2021-05-28T04:32:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T08:32:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wine365.com\/?p=10085"},"modified":"2021-05-27T15:41:16","modified_gmt":"2021-05-27T19:41:16","slug":"three-easy-tips-buying-french-wine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wine365.com\/stage\/three-easy-tips-buying-french-wine\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Easy Tips for Buying French Wine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Choosing a wine from a menu or the shelves of your local wine shop can be daunting. Despite the desire to try something new, you might find yourself consistently reaching for the same bottle you know for fear of making the wrong choice. However, a whole wine world is ready to be explored. To expand your wine horizons, why not start with a classic: French wine?<\/p>\n

Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Barnier<\/strong>, Head Winemaker of Maison Louis Jadot in Burgundy, France, offers three easy tips to help you discover great wines from France.<\/p>\n

1. Unscramble French Labels<\/h1>\n

French wine standards are very strict and dictated by law. Wine labels feature a lot of information with words you may not recognize.<\/p>\n

Here are seven basics to look for on the label:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Vintage – year the grapes were harvested (front top label)<\/li>\n
  2. Producer or Brand (front label)<\/li>\n
  3. Appellation title or “sub-region” (front label)<\/li>\n
  4. Region and style (front label)<\/li>\n
  5. \u201cBottled at the estate” or location of bottling (front label)<\/li>\n
  6. Alcohol content (back label)<\/li>\n
  7. Winery location (front and back label)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Label<\/p>\n

    2. Embrace a Region<\/h1>\n

    Unlike American wine labels, French wines do not clearly spell out the grape variety. However, there is no magic trick there; you just need to learn some of the basics of which grapes are grown where in France.<\/p>\n

    Wines from Burgundy<\/strong>, for instance, will bring you delicious, elegant, aromatic Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. From this eastern part of France, and more specifically from the Beaujolais region, comes another variety you may not be familiar with known as Gamay. A wine to try is the Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages<\/a>, which is 100% Gamay, and actually the number one French wine in the U.S.<\/strong> It is crisp, fruit-forward, and juicy, with expressive aromas and flavors of ripe red berries such as raspberry and cherry, with notes of black pepper.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re looking for a ros\u00e9 wine, there is the ever-popular region of Provence<\/strong> which made the pale pink blends of Grenache, Syrah, and Cinsault inseparable from the summer. One of the most famous Provence ros\u00e9 regions is Coteaux d-Aix-en-Provence, where the Mistral winds cool the vineyards. A classic Provencal ros\u00e9 is AIX Ros\u00e9<\/a> (pronounced like the letter \u201cX\u201d), with a lovely salmon pink color and fragrant with strawberry and watermelon.<\/p>\n

    On the other end of the pink spectrum, the ros\u00e9 wines of Tavel<\/strong> are famous for their gorgeous hue, bigger body, and seriousness that many do not associate with ros\u00e9. They are made of a Grenache-based blend of grapes typical of the southern Rh\u00f4ne Valley. Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019Aqueria<\/a> crafts a quintessential Tavel that is widely appreciated as the finest wine of its appellation. Its vibrant coral color is stunning.<\/p>\n

    \"Vineyards
    Vineyards and Chateau of Chateau d’Aqueria winery in France<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    3. Share and Celebrate<\/h1>\n

    Wine is meant to be shared and enjoyed, so throw a French wine tasting party with friends. Instruct guests to bring one bottle of French wine. As host, prepare a nice plate of charcuterie and cheese. Fill the evening with interesting French wine region facts to initiate hearty discussions. As a group, review the tasting notes for each featured wine, and find delight in the discovery of new likes and dislikes.<\/p>\n

    Here are some tips on preparing the food:<\/h2>\n