There is more to the wines of France than just Chardonnay and Cabernet
Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir; the lesser known regions
offer a plethora of fascinating varieties. With flavours as original
and as delicious as the more famous stalwarts they are certainly
worth exploring.
Many of the wines of France are blends, combining unique flavours
and lending structure to a wine that is more than a single varietal
will allow. Not all regions do this however. The wines of Burgundy
are mono-varietal; Chardonnay for the whites and Pinot Noir for the
reds. Alsace, uniquely, has the variety on the label, predominantly
white with Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and others while
the lowly Vin de Pays regions (notably right across the Languedoc)
are often single grape varieties, often utilising varieties from
other regions of France.
No matter what color their skins, the great majority of wine grapes
have clear juice. Very few have red colored juice; the French call
these types Teinturier - literally "dyers."
Cabernet Sauvignon (red)
One of the three most widely seen varieties both in France and
across the world. Its French home is the fine wine lands of
the Medoc and Graves in Bordeaux , where it is generally blended
with other varieties such as Merlot.
Cabernet Sauvignon is very reliable for ageing, more often
improving into a truly great wine than any other single varietal. With age,
it's distinctive blackcurrant aroma can develop bouquet nuances of cedar, violets,
leather, or cigar box and its typically tannic edge may soften and smooth considerably.
It is also grown across the
south of the country in the Languedoc producing single varietal wines
or again blended. The variety is renowned for it structure, longevity
(if of sufficient quality) and for its ability to demonstrate "terroir"
characteristics. It has a particular affinity with oak and offers
flavours of blackcurrants.
Cabernet Sauvignon: grown in Bordeaux ,
Loire , Languedoc -Rousillon, Bergerac, Buzet, Marmandais, Frontonnais,
Gaillac, Madiran and Vins de Pays.
Syrah/Shiraz (red)
The main grape of the northern Rhône Valley (Hermitage etc)
which has spread across the southern Languedoc region and overseas
where it is normally called Shiraz . Takes to oak maturation
well and in certain regions produces wines with longevity and quality
(Hermitage and Cote Rotie for example). In the northern Rhône it
is seldom blended (except with a little white Viognier in Cote Rotie)
but across the Languedoc and elsewhere in the Rhone it marries well
with Grenache, Mourvèdre
and Cinsault. To a lesser extent Syrah is grown in the South Western
areas of Gaillac, Fronton and Entraygues-du-Fel where it is blended
with local varieties .
Syrah/Shiraz: grown in Rhone , Languedoc , Provence , South West
France .
Merlot (red)
The famous Bordeaux wines of St.Emilion and Pomerol are predominantly
based on Merlot. Here it produces full bodied wines with plum characteristics
to the flavour and aroma; similar to Cabernet Sauvignon in many ways
but generally less tannic. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon.
Several regions of Bordeaux see Merlot dominate the plantings.
In the wines of Graves , Bourg, Blayes and Fronsac Merlot predominates.
While in the South West of France Buzet, Gaillac, Cahors and Bergerac
the classic variety adds softness to the local varieties with which
it is blended.
Merlot grown in: Bordeaux , Languedoc , Bergerac, South West France
.
Cabernet Franc (red)
(also known as Bouchy) Along with Cabernet Sauvignon (plus Merlot)
Cabernet Franc is the principal variety for red and rosé wines
in areas adjacent to, and sharing the same soils and climates, as
Bordeaux . Appearing in varying quantities in the other appellations
listed below Cabernet Franc is aromatic, subtle, with lighter tannins
than Cabernet Sauvignon. In the Loire it is a more important variety
than Cabernet Sauvignon. It is in the Loire that the characteristic
pencil shavings aroma is most prominent.
It may be both fruitier and sometimes more herbal or vegetal than Cabernet
Sauvignon.
Typically somewhat spicy in aroma and often reminiscent of plums
and violets
Cabernet Franc grown in Loire, Bordeaux, Bergerac, Buzet, Pecharmant,
Madiran, Tursan, Gailliac, Fronton, Entraygues-et-du-Fel
Pinot Noir (red)
The red grape of Burgundy ; renown for being capricious and demanding.
Wines from Pinot Noir are often described as sensual in a way that
Cabernet Sauvignon is not. In general it produces wines lighter in
colour and with less tannin than the other great red varieties. It
is prone to mutation and has given rise to Pinot Meunier, Pinot Blanc
and Pinot Gris. As well as the red wines of Burgundy it is an important
grape in the production of Champagne and deliveries light, fruity
reds in Alsace . There are few plantings outside these three areas.
Pinot Noir grown in : Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Loire and Vins
de Pays
Gamay (red)
The grape of Beaujolais but also seen in the wines of the Loire
. Generally producing lighter styled wines often with high
acidity in those produced in the Loire . The famous Beaujolais
Nouveau is made from this grape. Also found in Gaillac to make
a primeur wine by maceration carbonique (as is nouveau). Thanks to
Gaillac's southerly climate it never needs chaptalising and lasts
well into the following summer, developing a distinctive Gaillac
spiciness.
Widely planted, especially in the Languedoc, but
not a grape of great quality. Only in the right hands utilising old
vines and low yields can this work horse grape produce wines of character.
It is normally blended with other varieties.
Carignan grown in the Languedoc .
Mourvedre (red)
Believed to be of Spanish origin (where it is known as Monastrell)
this variety needs the warm temperatures of the Southern extremes
of France to thrive. Wines are generally high in alcohol and tannin,
deeply coloured and full of flavour. Its great structure is often
paired as
a foil with Grenache and Cinsault.
Mourvèdre grown in Provence , Languedoc , Southern Rhone
.
Cinsault (red)
Widely planted across the Languedoc but at its best
when restricted to small yields. Particularly good for rosé wines.
Cinsault's wine usually has a fine red colour is soft and rich with
a pleasant perfume. In the Languedoc it gives suppleness and balance
to Carignan and Grenache.
Cinsault grown in the Languedoc, Rhone, Provence, Corsica.
Alicante Bouschet (red)
Bred between 1865
and 1885 by Henri Bouschet from his fathers crossing of Petit Bouschet
and Grenache its deep rich hue
is often used to bolster wines lacking in colour. Used as a "teinturier"
or colouring grape. Occasionally seen as a single varietal predominantly
in Southern France. The wine from Alicante Bouschet has a fine bright
red colour and can reach high alcohol levels.
It is a very productive grape that can bear crops as large as 4000kg per hectare
and must be controlled from its tendency to over crop. In addition to red flesh
and juice, it has thick and tough skin. The grape's acidity can be problematic,
too high in cooler regions and too low in warmer ones.
Alicante Bouschet grown in Languedoc, Provence and Corsica.
Grolleau (red)
In the Loire produces relatively thin acidic wines and is seldom
seen outside of Rose de Anjou where it is often blended with Gamay.
Also used in the production of sparkling wines where the acidity
plays an important part.
Grolleau grown in the Loire .
Malbec (red)
Also known as Auxerrois (Cahors) and Cot (Loire) - A grape with
over 400 synonyms and most famously responsible for the distinctive
character of the wines of Cahors. When young it shows a striking
vibrant deep purple colour with considerable tannin. Great potential
for ageing. In the Loire (where it can be blended with Cabernet and
Gamay) and in Bordeaux plantings have fallen to negligible levels
although it is still permitted in the wines from each region.
Malbec grown in Cahors, Fronton, Pecharmant, Bergerac.
Grenache (red or white)
One of the world's most widely planted grape varieties
well suited to bush-like viticulture in warm climate vineyards. It
produces wines with a level of sweetness and certain rusticity. It
can be high in alcohol, very heady and with a fine russet-red colour.
Grown right across the south of France from the Spanish border to
the Rhone , although concentrated in the Côtes
du Rhône and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Grenache plays an important role in the sweet wines of Banyuls and
Rivesaltes.
Grenache Blanc differs only in the colour of the grape - you'll
also find Grenache Gris (grey) which is often used for Rosé wines.
Grenache grown in Languedoc, Rhône, Provence, Banyuls, Rivesaltes.
Negrette (red)
The distinctive local variety of Gaillac and Cotes du Frontonais
now known as Fronton) producing wines with a wonderful perfumed
aroma and delicate strawberry flavour; at its best when young.
Negrette grown in Fronton, Gaillac
Picpoul Noir (red)
An old Languedoc variety first mentioned in the 17th century.
The red version produces aromatic wines of very light colour. It
is allowed in the mix for Chateauneurf du Pape but there are few
plantings remaining. The white version is more widely planted.
Picpoul Noir grown in Rhone, Languedoc .
Tannat (red)
Also known as Moustroun). Believed to be Basque in origin, the
Tannat grape (named after its forceful tannins) is little seen outside
of Madiran. It is a tough variety producing characterful wines, deeply
coloured with an astringcy that is often tampered by the addition
of Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Cabernet Franc. The wines can be very
long lived.
Tannat grown In Madiran, Bearn, Tursan, Cahors
Fer Servadou (red)
Also known as Braucol. A rare grape native to the
South-West, it is a significant contributor to wines from the Tarn
département. Especially predominant in the rustic wines of Marcillac.
Chewy, moderately tannins. A minor grape in Madiran, Côtes de St
Mont VDQS where it is known as Pinenc.
Fer Seradou grown in South West France.
Grown in Entraygues, Marcillac, Gaillac, Madiran, Côtes de St Mont
Duras (red)
Unconnected with the Cotes de Duras region of the Dordogne this
grape is a speciality of the Gaillac region of South Western France.
Fruity imparting a spicy character to the reds of Gaillac.
