On a getaway in the vineyards, discover the grape varieties of the 12 wine regions of France. L'oiseau Oé takes you on a tour of French vineyards, regions and climates so you can brag about dinner!
The grape varieties of French vineyards
The grape variety is the variety of the vine. In France, there are a lot of them! As a result, we have prepared a guide to the grape varieties with small onions, so that you can make the difference between white, red and black grape varieties. Here are some examples:
- Cabernet Sauvignon produces robust, tannic, full-bodied red wines that are suitable for laying down. They are mainly found in the Bordeaux region.
- Cabernet Franc is a black grape variety typical of Bordeaux. It is recognized by its aromatic finesse, its spicy aromas and its good aging potential.
- Grenache is one of the most cultivated grape varieties in the world. It is planted on dry, stony soils in Languedoc, the Rhône Valley and Provence. Its berries give fruity wines.
- Gewurztraminer is an expressive and round grape variety found on the terroirs of Alsace. Its grapes are rosy and juicy.
- Syrah is a grape variety that gives aromatic, delicate and full-bodied wines. Offer a delicious Crozes-Hermitage on your table!
- Gamay is a black grape variety with white juice. It has juicy berries of medium size. Come and take a tour of Beaujolais to taste some Brouilly.
- Merlot gives round and unctuous wines with aromas of black fruits such as black cherry, blackberry and blackcurrant. On the way to Bordeaux to discover Saint-Emilion!
- Pinot Noir is the noble grape of the great wines of Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne.
- Sauvignon blanc produces fresh, elegant, lively and fragrant dry white wines. Savor your delicious skittle in good company!
- The wines made from the Chardonnay grape variety are ample and elegant wines with fine and fruity aromas.
And again, Marsanne , Roussanne , Viognier … It is thanks to the grape varieties and their geographical distribution that their specificities reflect the terroir and give wines with different characteristics and flavors.
Most grape varieties have white flesh, they are white grape varieties. What gives color to the wine are the pigments of the skin of the grape which macerate in its juice. And yes, you don't need red-fleshed grapes to make red wine! You can produce white wine with red grapes without macerating the must with the skins. White wines are very often produced from white grapes but, in Champagne, there are "blancs de noirs" which are white champagnes made from the Pinot Noir grape variety which is a red grape. Cannon, right?
Climates: Mediterranean, oceanic and continental
Warm and sunny, the Mediterranean climate gorges the grapes with sugar. They mature earlier than other varieties planted in other regions. The wines are rich and not acidic. It is ideal for lovers of fruity wines and wines!
The oceanic climate influences the maturity of the grapes. They ripen later than the varieties planted in the south of France. The wines are fresher thanks to their acidity and it is also in these climates that we find sweet wines.
And the continental climate is very dry, and the wines produced in these regions are very balanced.
Here you are ready to brag at dinner with some crisp information on the French grape varieties to distil between two glasses of organic Oé wine!
