| Wine is undoubtedly one of the great national | | | | a small amount on occasions to experience what it is |
| treasures of France, which over the years has | | | | like after it has gone down. |
| become an integral part of French culture and is | | | | The Loire Valley is a massive wine producing region |
| rooted in history with around half a million vineyards. | | | | that produces a variety of wine such as Muscadet, |
| Although you can find many great value wines and | | | | Cabernet Franc, Gamay reds and even reasonably |
| numerous different varieties to choose from whatever | | | | priced Sauvignon Blancs. And with the beautiful |
| your palette, there are also some of the most | | | | chateaux plus the tranquil winding river it makes the |
| expensive wines in the world that are produced in | | | | Loire region one of the most visited areas in France |
| France, and the vast majority of people will never be | | | | for experiencing wines and fine French food to |
| able to experience in their lifetime. | | | | accompany them with the stunning backdrops so |
| In fact, a vintage Romanee Conti red wine produced | | | | synonymous with this region. |
| from the pinot noir grape in Burgundy can cost | | | | Yet for hundreds of years Bordeaux has had a long |
| anything upwards of 1,000 for just one bottle. And a | | | | and internationally famous history of high quality wines |
| rare vintage case of 12 sold at auction in London for a | | | | and is also a very popular place to go, although you |
| staggering 58,500 making this the most expensive | | | | can still pick up a good value Bordeaux wine if you |
| case of wine sold at auction up until the year 2007. | | | | travel to the outskirts of the region. |
| Both Bordeaux and Burgundy have always contested | | | | And yes, who could not think about champagne, which |
| that they produce the best wines and in their own | | | | is so tightly controlled for what can be classed as a |
| ways the are probably both correct, and yet apart | | | | true champagne, you will get to appreciate why some |
| from the Champagne region, famous for the sparkling | | | | varieties are so expensive and are only produced in |
| wine of the same name, Bordeaux wines are far | | | | this region for consumption throughout the world. |
| more widely known than those from Burgundy. | | | | However, there are some vineyards that will charge |
| No matter what region in France you go on holiday to, | | | | far less for a bottle of their champagne with the same |
| you will be able to sample a wide variety of different | | | | finesse, compared to that of the famous brands we |
| wines and it is a good idea to get to know your | | | | have all come to know. |
| preferences before trying different ones. Whether you | | | | The Languedoc region in France is one of the biggest |
| prefer a red wine or a white wine, sweet or dry, still or | | | | wine producing regions and to put this into perspective, |
| sparkling the choice is immense. | | | | it has over two times more land planted to vines than |
| Going to a wine tasting session can be great fun trying | | | | the whole of Australia! Even though in the past, they |
| out different varieties, yet for some it can also be a | | | | concentrated more on quantity rather than quality, this |
| little daunting, especially if it is not on an arranged tour | | | | is changing where you can pick up a reasonably priced |
| of which there are plenty to choose from. However, | | | | wine that can match up to some at double or even |
| there are some general pointers that will get you | | | | triple the cost. |
| through. | | | | But France is a country that has such a different |
| When wine tasting, you should always start off with | | | | range of wines from the many wine regions and each |
| the lightest wines such as sparkling wines and work | | | | one will provide a taste, aroma and body like no other |
| through to full bodied whites, then through the reds | | | | and some regions themselves offer such a diverse |
| from the light to the full bodied and end on dessert | | | | range it can be quite mind boggling, yet a fascinating |
| wines. This will help to keep your taste buds more | | | | experience. |
| sensitive so you can better appreciate each wine and | | | | Obviously, white wine has long been associated with |
| in some places they even supply water in between so | | | | fish and chicken, whereas red wine is normally paired |
| as to get the full flavour and texture of each wine you | | | | with red meats and game. Yet when you are in |
| are tasting. | | | | France experiencing the fantastic culinary delights of |
| You should swill the wine round in the glass a couple | | | | the regions speciality French food, take the time to |
| of times, which will help aerate it and provide you with | | | | choose a wine that will enhance the experience or ask |
| the full aroma. Plus it is customary to spit out most | | | | for advice and enjoy. |
| wine, rather than swallow it, although you can swallow | | | | |