🇫🇷FRANCE

FRANCE IS–  Regions– 20    AOC.- 480      IGP.- 145       @Paris

  • BLANC= Chardonnay 5%, Sauvignon Blanc 2%, Colombard 1%, Chenin Blanc 1%, Marsanne 1%, Pinot Gri 1%, Pinot Blanc 1%, Roussanne 1%, Ahumat, Aligote, Altesse, Aranel, Arbane, Arriloba, Arrufiac, Aubin Blanc, Aubin Vert, Aurore, Auxerrois, Baco Blanc, Balzac Blanc, Baroque, Berdomenel, Biancu Gentile, Blanc Dame, Blanqueiro, Bourboulenc, Brustianu, Cacboue, Clairette, Claverie, Codivarta, Colombaud, Courbu Blanc, Crouchen, Cualtacciu, Folle Blanche, Golignan, Goldriesling, Gouais Blanc, Graisse, Gringet, Gros Manseng, Jacquere, Jurancon Blanc, Knipperle, Lauzet, Len de l’El, Liliorila, Madeleine Angevine, Marsanne, Mauzac Melon, Menu Pineau, Meslier Saint-Francois, Molette, Monbadon, Mondeuse, Montils, Muscadelle, Muscat Ottonel, Ondenc, Pascal Blanc, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng, Petit Meslier, Peurion, Picardan, Piquepoul, Precoce de Malingre, Prunelard AKA=Bouysselet, Raffiat de Moncade, Ravat Blanc, Rayon d’Or, Romorantin, Rose du Var, Rosette, Rossula, Roublot, Sacy, Savagnin, Seibel 10868, Semillon, Servant, Seyval Blanc, Tardif, Verdanel Blanc, Verdesse, Vidal, Vignoles, Villard Blanc, Viognier
    • –International– Ugni Blanc 10% AKA=Trebbiano, Albariño, Alvarinho, Bousquet Precoce AKA=Mezes Feher, Clarin, Coutia, Fleurtai, Liliorila,Luminan, Muscat, Mayorquin AKA=Damaschino, Petit Manseng, Riesling, Uva Biancona AKA=Biancone, Veltliner Rouge Precoce AKA=Fruhroter Veltliner, Xarello
  • ROUGE= Merlot 13%, Syrah 8%, Cabernet Sauvignon 7%, Pinot Noir 3%, Gamay 3%, Cot AKA=Malbec 1%, Carmenere -1%, Cinsaut AKA=Oeillade -1%, Counoise -1%, Petit Verdot -1%, Tannat -1%…..Albouriou, Alicante Bouschet, Aramon Noir, Arinarnoa, Arrouya, Aspiran Bouschet, Aubun, Bachet Noir, Baco Noir, Barbaroux, Beaunoir, Beclan, Bequignol Noir, Bourrisquou, Bouteillan Noir, Braquet Noir, Brun Argente, Brun Fourca, Caladoc, Calitor Noir, Camaraou Noir, Camari Noir, Carmenere, Cascade, Castet, Cesar, Chambourcin, Chancellor, Chasan, Chatus, Chelois, Chenanson, Chichaud, Chouchillon, Colobel, Couderc Noir, Courbu Noir, Chaunac, Douce Noire, Duras, Dureza, Durif, Ederena, Egiodola, Ekigaina, Enfarine Noir, Etraire de L’Adui, Fer, Florental, Ganson, Gascon, Genouillet, Gouget Noir, Gramon, Grolleau Noir, Gros Beclan AKA=Peloursin, GrosVerdot, Gueuche Noir, Joubertin AKA=Jaubertin Landal, Landot Noir, Leon Millot, Mancin des Palus, Mandregue, Manseng Noir, Marechal Foch, Marselan, Mauzac Noir, Mecle Bourgoin, Merille AKA=Grapput, Mezy, Milgranet, Mollard, Mondeuse Noire, Monerac, Mornen Noir, Mouyssagues, Muscardin, Negret Banhars, Negrette, Noir Fleurien, Odola, Oeillade Noire, Onchette, Peloursin, Persan, Pineau d’Aunis, Plant Droit, Plantet, Portan, Poulsard, Prunelard, Rivairenc, Saint-Macaire, Salvador, Segalin, Serenelle, Sereneze, Servanin, Seyval Noir, Teoulier Noir, Terret, Tibouren Tressot, Triomphe, Trousseau, Valdiquie, Vintaghju
    • –International– Argant AKA=Gansfussor, Grenache AKA=Garnacha 11%, Carignan 7% AKA=Carinena, Arinarnoa, Castets, Feunate, Marselan, Paugayen, Touriga Nacional, Zinfandel

GEOGRAPHY– REGION-Western Europe(East), COUNTRY-France, LATITUDE: 41.59°- 51.03° ‘N’

  • REGIONS-Alsace, Aquitaine, Auvergne, Brittany, Burgundy, Centre-Val de Loire, Champagne-Ardenne, Corsica, Franche-Comte, Ile-de-France, Languedoc-Roussillion, Limousin, Lorraine, Midi-Pyrenees, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, Normandy(Lower & Upper), Pays de La Loire, Picardy, Phone-Alpes, Poitou-Charentes, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur
  • Sub-Zones- Loire Valley, South-West, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Jura/ Savoie/ Bugey, Northern Rhone, Southern Rhone, Provence, Languedoc, Roussillon, Massif Central, Corsica
  • BORDERS-Belgium(North-East), Germany(East), Switzerland(South-East), Italy(South-East)

TOPOGRAPHY– FEATURES- “Flat/ Rolling/ Hilly/ Mountainous/ Valley/ Terraced”

    • On~Coast/ Bay of Biscay/ English Channel/ Mediterranean~Sea~
    • Most of France Is Formed by the Breaking Apart of Pangea “The Super Continent” and Different Tectonic Events Happening  Across the Country.
  • PARIS BASIN–
    • Geography- France(North)
      • Regions- Champagne, Burgundy, Parts of Loire, Normandy, Lorraine, Ile-de-France
    • Formation- Geologic Sedimentary Basin Formed by Varican Orogeny. Amphitheater-Shaped Sedimentary Basin Sloping From the South-East to the North-West.
      • Jurassic Period(200 Million Year Ago), Rifting Area Caused by the Breaking Up of Pangea Was Filled With Warm Shallow Water.  This Area Lead to the Formation of the Limestone We See In This Area of France.
    • Wine-Regions- Champagne, Chablis(Northern Burgundy), Sancerre(Western Loire)
  • MASSIF AMORICAN–
    • Geography- France(North-West)
    • Formation- Formed by the Assemble of Pangea(The Super-Continent), The Region Was Uplifted When the Bay of Biscay Opened During the Cretaceous Period.
    • Wine-Region- Western Loire Valley, Brittany and Normandy
  • ARDENNES-BRAHANT–
    • Geography- France(North)
  • MASSIF Des VOSGES–
    • Geography- France(East)
    • Formation- Geologic Area Consisting of Low Mountains of the Vosges Mountains.
    • Wine-Regions- Alsace
  • MASSIF CENTRAL–
    • Geography- France(South-Central)
    • Formation- Formed by the Assemble of Pangea(The Super-Continent), Elevated Region of Mountains and Plateaus.
    • Wine-Regions-
  • KIMMERIDGIAN RIDGE–
    • Geography- France(North-East/ Central)
    • “Limestone Ridge/ Basin”, A “Crescent Shape”, That Runs From Southern England and Curves Down Into France/ Outer Rim of Paris Basin Through the Regions of Champagne and Burgundy and Continues to Curve Into the Region of Loire Valley.
    • Wine Regions- Champagne, Burgundy(North/ Chablis), Loire Valley(East/ Sancerre)
  • ALPINE OROGENY–
    • Geography- France(East), Foothills of Alps
    • Formation- Formed by Continents of Africa and India and the Cimmerian Plate Colliding With Eurasia Plate.
    • Wine Region- Jura, Bugey, Savoie
  • AQUITAINE BASIN–
    • Geography- France(South-West)
    • Formation- From Pyrenees Mountains
    • Wine Region- Bordeaux, South-West France, Languedoc
  • RIVERS– Play a Major Roll In Modern Viticulture as Well as Historically.
    • On~Rhone~River~Tributaries~Doubs/ Saone/ Ain/ Isere/ Durance~
      • (Headwaters: Rhone Glacier/ Oberwald, Switzerland~to~Mediterranean~Sea~
    • On~Seine~River~Tributaries~Yonne/ Marne/ Oise/ Aisne/ Eure/ to
    • On~Loire~River~Tributaries~Allier/ Cher/ Indre/ Creuse/ Vienne/ Mayenne/ Sarthe~
      • Headwater Starts From the Volcanic Peak of Gerbier-de-Jonc In Ardeche.
    • On~Garonne~River~Tributaries~Triege/ Tarn/ Gers/ Lot~to~Atlantic Ocean~
    • On~Dordogne~River~Tributaries~Vezere/ Isle/ Laurence~
    • On~Moselle~River~
    • On~Charente~River~
  • OCEANS/ SEAS– On~Atlantic~Ocean/ Mediterranean~Sea~
  • ALPS MOUNTIANS–
    • Geography- France(South-East)
  • PYRENEES MOUNTAINS–
    • Geography- France(South-West)

SOILS– “Metamorphic”, “Sedimentary”, “Volcanic”, Refer to Regions for Details

  • Kimmeridgian Ridge– “Contiguous-Limestone Basin”, That Runs From Southern England to France.
  • **Refer to “FRANCE/ Sub-Chapters” For Detailed Information On Soils.
  • **Refer to “TERROIR/ Geology & Soil” For Detailed Information On Soils.

CLIMATE– “Continental”(Central) “Mediterranean”(South), “Maritime”(West)

VITICULTURE–  872,000ha. Planted, (35% White/ 65% Red)

  • #1 In Grape Production & #1 In Wine Consumption In World.
  • BURGUNDY-
    • Grand Cru– Highest Classified Vineyard
    • Premier Cru– Second Highest Classified Vineyard
  • BORDEAUX-
    • Premier Cru- Highest Level of Vineyard Classification
  • LIEU-DIT-(Literal Translation is French For a “Said Location”)– Plot of Land That is Recognized For Its Own Topographic or Historical Specificities. Lieu-Dit Are Small Geographic Areas Bearing a Traditional Name Having to Do With the Environment or Local Heritage. The Name of the Lieu-Dit Usually Refers to Some Characteristic of the Place(a Tree, Hill, River), Its Former Use or a Past Event.
  • CLIMATS- A Delineated/ Specific Plot of Land That Has a Specific Geological or Climatic Condition.  Climats Confer Their Own Unique Terroir or Organoleptic Qualities Onto the Wine.
  • MONOPOLE- A Grape Growing Area Controlled by a Single Winery. It Can Be as Small as a Vineyard or as Large as an Entire Appellation.
    • MONOPOLES Of FRANCE
      • Les Ruelies, La Mission (Premier Cru)   @Mercurey AOC.
      • La Tache, La Grande Rue (Grand Cru)   @Vosne-Romanee AOC.
      • Clos Marechaudes, Clos Corton Faiveley (Grand Cru)   @Aloxe-Corton AOC.
      • Clos de la Marechale, Clos de Thorey (Premier Cru)  @Nuits St.-Georges AOC.
      • Clos de L’ecu, Clos des Ursule (Premier Cru)  @Beaune AOC.
      • Clos des Ducs, Clos de la Bousse d’Or (Premier Cru)  @Volnay AOC.
      • Clos de la Coulee de Serrant(E./7ha.), Coulee de Serrant @Savennieres, Anjou
  • Top Varieties by Hectares In France In 1960.
    • 1. Ugni Blanc       2. Semillon     3. Terrets Blanc      
    • 4. Clairette Blanc     5. Folle Blanche     6. Sauvignon Blanc
    • 7. Colombard     8. Chenin Blanc     9. Muscadet      
    • 10. Mauzac Blanc     11. Pinot Noir    12. Merlot 
    • 13. Chasselas     14. Sylvaner     15. Muscadelle
    • 16. Mondadon     17. Muscat Frontignan     18. Ondenc
    • 19. Meslier-St-Francos     20. Aligote     21. Carignan

VINICULTURE

  • 85% Percentage of Grapes Required to Be Labeled Single Varietal Wine.
  • WINE BARRELS~ ~Bordelaise~ 225 Liters(Bordeaux)   ~Burgundy~ 288 Liters
    • ~Feuillette~ 132 Liters (Chablis)    ~Champagne~ 205 Liters (Champagne)
    • ~Foudre~ 1,000 Liters (Alsace)    ~Tonneau~ 900 Liters (Bordeaux)
    • ~Demi-Mudi~ 600 Liters (Chateaneuf-du-Pape)
  • FRENCH OAK
    • Species…Quercus Sessilis, Quercus Robur ECONOMY- $1,000/ Barrel
    • Exhibit- Subtle Tannins of Sweetness, Structure, Complexity
    • Qualities- Slow Growing, Tight Grained, Brown In Color, Tree 100-125 Years Growth Before Oak Can Be Used In Production.
    • Oak Forest of France- Argonne, Allier, Bertranges, Bourgogne, Centers, Limousin, Nevers, Troncais,Vosges

HISTORY– 1,800 Year History of Viticulture

  • 500 BC. @Rhone Valley– “Viticulture”,Introduced to Region by Greeks.
  • 500 BC. @Roussillon– Romans Planted First Organized Grapes/ Vineyards.
  • 600 BC. @France– “Viticulture”, Introduced to Region by Greeks/ Roman Empire.
  • 600 BC. @Province– Wine Culture Influence by Romans, Gauls, Catalans.
  • 200 BC. @France– Roman Empire, Mastered Viniculture.
  • 150 BC. @Rhone Valley– Romans Establish Quality Vineyards and Reputation For Wine.
  • 00 @Alsace– “Viticulture”, Introduced to Region by Romans.
  • 52 @Burgundy– Area Occupied by Romans.
  • 379 @Bordeaux– First Vineyards Planted In Region.
  • 400 @Bordeaux– “Viticulture”, Introduced to Region by Romans.
  • 436 @Burgundy– Area Occupied by Burgundian(People of Germanic Origins)
  • 500 – 1200’s @Europe– During the Middle Ages South-West France Was Ruled by England.
  • 500 @Champagne–  “Viticulture”, Introduced to Region by Romans.
  • 534 @Burgundy– Area Occupied by Franks(People of Germanic Origins)
  • 910 @Burgundy– During “Dark Ages” Monks/ Churches Took Over Wine Production.
  • 1152-1453 @Bordeaux– “The English Connection”, Area Was Ruled by England.
  • 1200’s – 1700’s @Corsica– Ruled by Republic of Genoa.
  • 1200’s @France– Languedoc Region Has Belonged to France.
  • 1363-1792 @Burgundy– Area Occupied by Dukes
  • 1395 @Burgundy– Philippe the Bold/ Duke of Burgundy, Banished Gamay From The Cote d’Or to Beaujolais.
    • He Referred to the Grape as “The Disloyal Variety”, and All Planting Had to Be Removed.
  • 1600’s @Medoc– Dutch Built Dikes and Drained Marsh In Estuary.
  • 1650 @Bordeaux– Cabernet Sauvignon is Born.
  • 1659 @Roussillon– Was Part of Spain Until the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
  • 1663 @Bordeaux– Haut-Brion Became the First Estate to Be Referenced, Rather Than a General Region.
  • 1670 @Pauillac– Vineyard Planted at Lafite-Rothschild.
  • 1750 @Burgundy– Wine Where Considered Inferior, Seen as Light Wines For Early Drinking.
  • 1769 @Corsica– The Island Was Annexed to France.
  • 1789 @France– After Revolution Land From Church Split Into Parcels, Sold.
  • 1792 @Burgundy– Over-Through of Elites, Led by Napoleon.
  • 1800’s @French– “The Modernization”, Took  Place Across French Regions.
  • 1855 @Burgundy– Area Occupied by Jules Lavelle
  • 1864 @France– Proof Fermentation is Carried Out by Living Yeast Cells.
  • 1871 @Alsace– Germany Took Over Region.
  • 1875- 92 @France– “Phylloxera”, Louse Destroys 75% of French Vineyard.
  • 1871 @Montpellier– Protests Lead by Marcelin Albert Leading to the Start of What Would Become the AOC. System.
  • 1910- 11 @Champagne– “Champagne Riots”, Protest/ Riots Take Place.
  • 1919 @Alsace– Alsace Annexed Back to France After World War I.
  • 1930 @Burgundy– Area of Burgundy Defined.
  • 1936 @Burgundy– AOC. Laws Defined
  • 1936 @Chateauneuf-du-Pape– AOC. Established as First Official French Wine Appellation.
  • 1940- 45 @Alsace– Germany Occupied Alsace During World War II.
  • 1970’s @Roussillon/ Languedoc– “Wine Bank”, Bulk Wine Surplus That Plagued the Industry.
  • 1975 @Alsace– “Grand Cru”, Vineyard Delimitation Takes Place.
  • 1980’s @Roussillon/ Languedoc– “Vine Pull Scheme”, Government Plays Grower to Pull Vineyards.
  • 2000 @Bordeaux– “Rise of the Asian Market”

CULTURE

  • PIONEERS Of FRANCE
  • ~Albert, Marcelin~ “Montpellier”, Lead an Uprising In 1907 That Lead to the Start of the AOC. System.
  • ~Barton, Anthony~ “Medoc”, Owner/ Custodian of Leoville-Barton & Langoa-Barton.
  • ~Bize-Leroy, Lalou~ “France”,  “Winemaker”  Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, D’Auvenay and  Leroy.
  • ~Boiseaumarie, Baron Pierre~ “France”, Helped Lead AOC. Movement In Chat.-du-Pope.
  • ~Cambie, Philippe~ “Rhone Valley/1960-2021”, “God of Grenache”.
    • Consulting Winemaker For Dozens of Chateauneuf-du-Pape Estate.
  • ~Cazes, Jean-Michel~ “Bordeaux”, Owner Chateau Lynch-Bages, Help Bring Winery to Prominence.
  • ~Celsius~ “Greece”, Ancient Philosopher/ Author of “On Medicine”.
  • ~Chaptal, Jean-Claude~ “France”, Chemist Who Developed Chaptalization Procedure.
  • ~Chavet, Jules~ “Beaujolais”, “Father of Natural Wine/Negociant”
    • Studied, Practiced, Put Out Publications, and Helped Advice People On the Subject of Natural Wine.
  • ~Chave Family~  “Northern Rhone”
    • Wine Growing Family In Northern Rhone Since 1481.(16 Generations) Currently Gerard and Son Jean-Louis Head the Family Winery.
  • ~Clicquot, Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin~ “Champagne”, “1777- 1866”, Veuve Clicquot Champagne 
    • Took Over Veuve Clicquot Champagne After Her Husband Death, Achieved Greatness.
  • ~Duboeuf, Franck~ “Beaujolais”, Catalyst For Building International Reputation For Beaujolais Wines.
  • ~Duboeuf, George~ “Beaujolais”, Marketed His Beaujolais Nouveau Wine to the World.
  • ~Dubourdieu, Denis~ “Bordeaux”,  Winemaker/ Professor  at University of Bordeaux.
  • ~Gang of Four~ “Beaujolais”, M. Lapuerre, G. Breton, J. Paul Thevenet, J. Follard, Y. Metras.
  • ~Galet, Pierra~ “France”, 1900’s, Ampelographer and Author.
  • ~Gambert de Loche, Louis~ “France”, Founder French Appellation System.
  • ~Gascq-Leoville, Alexandre~ “Bordeaux”
    • Nobleman From Gascony, Marketed St. Julien On Grand Scale.
  • ~Guigal, Etienne & Marcel~ “France”, Founder & Owner of Guigal Estate In Rhone.
  • ~Joly, Nicolas~ “France”, Leader In Loire, Modern Natural Wine Pioneer/ Bio-Dynamics
  • ~Legegron, Isablea~ “France”, Pioneer of Modern Natural Wine Movement.
  • ~Lavoisier, Antoine~ “France”, 1700’s, “Grandfather of Modern Wine Chemistry”.
  • ~Gascq-Leoville, Alexandre de~ “Medoc”, Helped Marketed St. Julien On Grand Scale.
  • ~Mentzelopoulos, Laura & Corinne~ “Medoc”, Owns and Run Chateau Margaux.
  • ~Millardet, Pierre-Maire~ “Jura”
    • Discovered How to Graft French Vinifera Vines Onto American Rootstock.
  • ~Morris, Jasper~ “Burgundy”, English Merchant/ Author- Inside Burgundy Insider.
  • ~Monks~ “Burgundy”, Keeping and Progressing Wine Culture Alive, During Dark Times.
  • ~Moueix, Christian~ “Bordeaux”, Winemaker and President of a Negociant House In Bordeaux.
  • ~Overnoy, Pierre~ “France”, Leader In Jura Modern Natural Wine Movement.
  • ~Pasteur, Louis~ “France”, First to Define the Biological Process of Fermentation.
  • ~Perignon, Dom~“Champagne”, 1670’s, Cellar Master In Hatvillers..
    • Credited For Producing Blanc de Noir.
  • ~Perrin, Jean- Pierre~ “Rhone”, Winemaker/ Owner of Perrin & Tablas Creek.
  • ~Peynaud, Prof. Emile~ “Bordeaux”, “Forefather of Modern Oenology”, Helped Modernize Bordeaux.
  • ~Pommery, Louise ~ “Champagne”, “818-1890”
    • Took Over Pommery Champagne After Her Husband Death, Achieved Greatness.
  • ~Raveneau, Francois~ “Chablis”, Vigneron Who Started Domaine In 1948, Know For Quality and Consistency.
  • ~Remy, Paul-Emile~ “Cognac”,  Modernized/ Sold Cognacs Under His Family Name.
  • ~Rolland, Michel~ “France”, Oenologist & Flying Wine Maker.
  • ~Rouzaud, Jean-Claude~ “Champagne”, President of Champagne Louis Roederer.
  • ~Serres, Oliver di~ “France”
    • 1600’s, Author and Soil Scientist Who Wrote Leading Wine Agriculture Book of Time.
  • ~Truel, Paul~ “France”, 1900’s, French, Institut National Agronomique/ Montpelier.
  • ~Wasserman, Becky~ “Burgundy”, American Expatriate Who Became an Ambassador For Burgundy.
  • ~Villaine, Aubert~ “Burgundy”, Co-Owner/ Custodian of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.
  • French Science- My Great Grandfather Made Wine That Way, My Grandfather Made Wine That Way, My Father Made Wine That Way and it Worked the Entire Time…Therefore It’s True.
  • Industrial Alcohol Production- 70% of  Goes to the French Government to Distill Down to Produce Industrial Alcohol For a Variety of Purposes.  The Remaining 30% Generally Put Back In the Vineyard as Fertilizer.
  • Law– 70% of a Winery’s Must is Claimed by the Government Who Distilles It Down For Industrial Alcohol Purposes. The Other 30% is Generally Spread Back Into the Vineyard as Compost.
  • ASSOCIATIONS~  ~Institut Francois de la Vigne et du Vin~ IFV.
    • ~Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique~ ANRA.
    • ~Haute Valeur Environnementale~ HVE. (France)
      • French Environmental Certification For Grape Growers.
  • GASTRONOMY… CHEESE…
    • Abondance AOC.(Cow/ Hard),  Banon AOC.(Goat/ Fresh to Aged),  Beaufort, Bleu d’Auvergne(Cow/ Blue),  Bleu des Causses(Cow/ Blue),  Bleu de Gex Haut-Jura AOC.(Cow/ Blue),  Bri(Cow/ Soft),  Brin d’Amour(Sheep/ Hard),  Camembert(Cow/ Soft), Cantal(Cow/ Hard),  Chevres(Goat),  Chaource(Cow/ Soft),  Comte(Cow/ Hard),  Epoisses(Cow/ Semi-Soft),  Fleur du Maquis(Ewe/ Semi-Soft),  Fourme d’Ambert(Cow/ Semi-Soft),  Mimolette,  Morbier,  Moulis(Cow/ Sheep/ Semi-Hard),  Muenster(Cow/ Semi-Soft),  Ossau-Iraty(Ewe/ Hard),  Persille de Rambouillet(Goat/ Blue),  Raclette,  Reblochon,  Roquefort AOC.(Ewe/ Blue),  Rigotte de Condrieu(Goat/ Fresh),  Tomme de Savoie
    • Classic Regional Pairing- Chevre & Sancerre, Munster & Gewurztraminer(Dry)
      • Epoisses & Burgundy(Pinot Noir)   |   Roquefort & Sauternes
  • “Monks & Monasteries”
    • Monks of Burgundy Get Credit For Pain Laboriously Defining the Every Foot of Every Parcel of the Cote d’or.
    • **Refer to “RELIGION & “THE VINE/ Monks and Monasteries” For Additional Information.
  • BURGUNDY
    • ~Benedictine Abbey of Cluny~
      • History-The Famous Abbey and Ruling Center of the Europe Great Monasteries and Head Quarters of 10,000 Monks That Followed the Teaching of St. Benedict. The Abbey of Cluny Started a Network of 1,000 Monasteries From Rome to Scotland With the Common Thread of Bringing Christianity to Modern Europe.
    • –Cistercian of Clos de Vougeot~    @Vougeot                    ~Cistercian of Chablis~     @Chablis
    • ~Benedictine of Saint-Vivant~    @Vosne-Romanee.          ~Benedictine of Aloxe-Corton~     @Aloxe-Corton         
    • ~Cistercians of Macon~     @Macon             –Cistercians of Musigny~     @Musigny
    • ~Monastery of Cluny~     @Saone-et-Loire(Gevrey Chambertin)
  • LOIRE VALLEY
    • ~Cistercian of Sancerre~                            ~Benedictine of Muscatdet~
    • ~Benedictine of Pouilly Fume~                   ~Benedictine of Bourgueil~
    • ~Cistercian of Orleans~                             ~Cistercian of Quincy~
    • ~Cistercian Monastery In Coulee de Serrant~
      • Vines Planted Vineyards In 1130 and Vineyards Are Still Cultivated Today.
  • RHONE VALLEY
    • ~Benedictine of Cornas/ St. Peray~                   ~Benedictine of Gigondas~
    • ~Carthusian of Chateauneuf-du-Pape~              ~Cistercian of Vacqueyras~
  • CHAMPAGNE
    • ~Abbey of Clauvaux~     @Champagne           ~Abbey of St. Vanne~     @Champagne
    • ~Abbey of Hautvillers~     @Epernay
  • OTHER FRANCE
    • ~Benedictine Abbey of Chateau Cholon~       @Jura
      • Nuns Responsible For Vin Jaune & Vin de Paille
    • ~Carthusian of Chartreuse~                             ~Templiers of Banyul~

GOING THERE

  • WINNER “Worlds Best”~ DtheV.com Awards- “Best Wine City In Europe-Paris”  (4th. Place)
    • **Refer to “WINE CULTURE/ Derek’s Top 6 List” For Detailed Information.

FRENCH WINE LAW & CLASSIFICATION

  • GOVERNING BODY–
    • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Institut National des Appellation d’Origine~ INAO.
      • Mission~ Regulates and Grants All Proposals to Amend France’s Appellation Regulations.
  • LAWS GOVERNING– Geographic Boundaries, Topography,
    • Label Requirement- Varietals, +Abv. Levels, Vinification Methods

NEW EU. WINE LAW CLASSIFICATION (As of 2012)

  • APPELLATION D’ORIGINE PROTEGEE- AOP. (Protected Designation of Origin)
    • New Classification For Appellation d’Origine Controlee AOC.
    • Few Producers Have Put the “New” DOP. Indication On Their Bottles. Producers That Where Using Old System Have Been “Grand-Fathered” and Allowed to Continue to Use AOC. On Their Bottles.
  • INDICATION GEOGRAPHIQUE PROTEGEE- IGP. (Protected Geographic Indication)
  • AOC., AOP. Are Equal/  IGP., VDP. Are Equal
  • New Classification For -Vin de Pays- VDP.
    • Category For Wine Lacking AOC. Strict Standard Conditions In One or More Ways…Geography, Stylistically, Not Classical Varietals, Quality.
  • VIN De FRANCE- (Wine of France)
    • Catch-All Category That’s Different and Superior to Table Wine. Vin de France Isn’t Restricted to Geographic Boundaries and Are Flexible to Blend Wines From Different Regions Across France. Allows for Type of Grape to Be Printed On Label.
  • VIN De TABLE- (Table Wine)
    • Table Wine Doesn’t Need Place, Grape or Vintage On Label.
    • General Appellation For Wine Produced in “FRANCE” Non-Conforming to AOP./ IGP.
  • VIN METHODE NATURE-(Natural Method Wine)–
    • Classification For Natural/ Low Intervention Wines.
      • ASSOCIATIONS~ ~Syndicat de Defense des Vins Nature’l~
        • Mission~ To Legally Defend the Idea of the Vin Methode Nature, to Communicate Its Charter and to Build a Community of Like-Minded People. They Cover 12 Points that Must Be Respected to Claim the Label.
    • Grapes Come From Certified Organic Vineyard.
    • No Additives Used During Vinification.
    • Grapes Must Be Hand Harvested.
    • Native Yeast/ Spontaneous Fermentations.
    • No Flash Pasteurization
    • No Cross-Flow Filtration
    • No Acidification.
    • No Thermo Vinification
    • No Reverse Osmosis
    • Two Distinctive Logos…1) No Added Sulfite.
      • 2) Sulfite Added Post Fermentation (Less Than 30 Mg./ L.)

OLD CLASSIFICATION LAW

  • APPELLATION D’ORIGINE CONTROLEE- AOC. (Controlled Appellation of Origin)
  • VIN DELIMITE De QUALITE SUPERIEURE- VDQS.
  • VIN De PAYS- VDP. (Country Wine)
    • (Created 1979 to Recognize Wines Distinctly Superior to “Vin de Table”)
      • Vin de Pays de la Loire (Loire Valley)
      • Vin de Pays d’Oc (Languedoc-Roussillon)
      • Vin de Pays du Comte Tolosan (South-West)
      • Vin de Pays Mediterranee (South-East, Provence, Corsica)
      • Vin de Pays des Comtes Rhodaniens (Rhone Valley, Beaujolais, Savoie)
      • Vin de Pays de l’Atlantique (Bordeaux, Charentes)
      • Vin de Table- VDT. Table Wine

TYPES Of WINE PRODUCERS

  • Recoltant- (Grower) Grows Grapes For Purpose of Selling to Negociants.
  • Recoltant-Manipulant- RM. (Grower-Manipulator) Producer Who Grows Grape and Produces Wine For Himself as Well as Sell Surplus to Other.
    • Grower Champagne- Although the Same as RM., Grower Champagne is a New Term For Small Producers Who Grow Grapes and Produce Thier Own Cuvées But With Reflects Their Distinct Single Vineyards and Champagne Style.
  • Recoltant-Cooperateur- RC. (Grower-Co-Operative) Grows Grapes For Local Co.-Op. Who Producers the Wine and Gives Portion of Bottles Back to Grower Who Sells Under His Own Label.
  • Negociant- (Producer)  Wine Maker That Produces, Bottles and Markets Wine Using Grapes Purchased From Other Growers.
  • Negociant-Manipulant- NM. (Producer-Manipulator) House That Grows Grapes, Produces Wine and is Marketed by Same Company.
  • Cooperateur-Manipulant- CM. (Co-Operative-Manipulator) Group of Growers That Pool Grapes to Produce and Sell Wine Under One or More Brands of Its Own.
  • Negociant Distributeur- ND. (Producer-Distributor) Middleman Company That Distributes Champagne it Did Not Produce.
  • Marque d’Acheteur- MA. (Buyer Brand) A Buyers Own Brand, Often a Supermarket Chain or Restaurant That Buys Champagne and Sells It Under Its Own Label.
  • **Refer to “WINE STYLES/ Sparkling” For Detailed Information On Sparkling Wine.

FORTIFIED WINES Of FRANCE

  • CULTURE–  France Has a Long History of Fortifying/ Mutage Its Wine.
  • VIN DE LIQUEUR-  +FORTIFIED/ Before Fermentation With Local Grape Spirit.
  • VIN DOUX NATUREL- +FORTIFIED/ During Fermentation With Local Grape Spirit.
  • **Refer to “WINE STYLES/ Fortified” For Detailed Information.

LIQUEURS Of FRANCE

  • Macvin AOC.  @Jura, Distilled From Marc
  • Pineau des Charentes AOC.  @Cognac, Distilled From Wine
  • Floe de Gascogne AOC.@. Armagnac, Distilled From Wine

SPARKLING WINES Of FRANCE

  • CHAMPAGNE
  • CREMANT’S- Cremant d’Alsace(3,900 ha.), Cremant de Bordeaux(910 ha.), Cremant de Bourgogne(2,861 ha.), Cremant de Bugey Cerdon, Cremant du Die(30 ha.), Cremant du Jura(515 ha.), Cremant de Limoux, Cremant de Loire(2,626 ha.), Cremant de Montouis, Cremant de Saumur, Cremant de Savoie(57 ha.), Cremant de Seyssel, Cremant de Vouvray, 
  • MOUSSEUX’S- Mousseux Anjou, Mousseux de Bourgogne, Mousseux Saumur, Mousseux de St. Peray
  • PETILLANT’S- Petillant Anjou, Petillant de Bugey Cerdon, Petillant Gaillac Mousseux, Petillant Mont Louis, Petillant Clairette de Bellegarde
  • **Refer to “FRANCE/ Locations” For Detailed Information On Sparkling Wines.

IMPORTANT FRENCH WINE WORD

  • Le Vignoble- Vineyard
  • La Vigne- Vine
  • Un Verre de Rouge/ Blanc- Glass of Red/ White
  • Les Vendanges- Harvest
  • Le Terroir- Land/ Soil
  • Chateau- Estate That Produces Wine

GEOGRAPHIC DISCLAIMER~ “To Understand the Wine World and Benefit From DtheV.com a Understanding of France’s Geography is Needed and the Ability to Visualize Its Wine Regions Topography.  France is Organized In a North to South / East to West Orientation and Intended to Be Researched as So.”

  • SUB-CHAPTERS Of FRANCE
    • Loire Valley
    • South-West
    • Bordeaux
    • Burgundy
    • Champagne
    • Alsace
    • Jura/ Savoie/ Bugey
    • Northern Rhone
    • Southern Rhone
    • Provence
    • Languedoc
    • Roussillon
    • Massif Central
    • Corsica
  • **Refer to These Proceeding Sub-Chapters For Detailed Information.

**Refer to “BIBLIOGRAPHY/ Sources” For Details On Scholarly Works Referenced.