How to Explore French Wine

The French have long been known for their excellent wines. They are still near the top of the global wine producer list. Getting to know wine can be intimidating, but it really boils down to what your taste buds like. Don't be afraid to experiment and explore the world of French wines.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Start tasting now. There are 19 different varieties of grapes used for wine making in France and several different regions that produce quality wine. Remember, price isn't everything. Try a variety of price ranges as well as types of grapes.
2. Begin your tour by region. Names of wine regions in France quickly reveal their specialties. Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy are among the top producing regions. Make it a goal to taste one wine from each region and focus on the area's specialty.
3. Know the four main French wine categories. Wines labeled AOC, or Appellation d'Origine Controlee, are produced under strict regulations related to the region, variety, yield and several other categories. These rules are set forth to preserve the characteristics of wine. A wine designated as VSQS, Vin Delimite de Qualite Superieure, is held to the same standards but is still waiting on the AOC designation.
4. Differentiate AOC wines from wines labeled Vin De Pays. The regulations governing these wines are more lenient particularly as they relate to varieties used. The label Vins De Table De France designates wines considered to be entry level.
5. Keep track of the different wines that you try. Take notes on what you like and don't like. Keep it simple at first and remember it's all about what tastes good to you. On the second round, try some of your favorite varieties again, but from a different region. Record the subtle differences.
6. Make it a goal to try all of the different varieties after you've familiarized yourself with France's wine geography. Bordeaux is the most popular wine making region in France. It produces a lot more than the name suggests. Try some of their other carefully crafted wines to start. Keep up the tasting until you feel you've tried a little bit from every corner of French wine country.