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This world famous region is home to hundreds of excellent red and white wines,
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabinet Franc, Merlot and Pinot Verdot grapes produce honeyed wines with blackcurrent and cedarwood perfume - the most important areas are; Haut-Médoc, Pessac-Leognan, Graves, St-Emilion and Pomerol. Tend to taste of tannin when young - best for laying down. If buying a young Bordeaux wine open it at least two hours before you drink it.
Little known, but accounting a fifth of all production, some sublime examples using Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion grapes - usually blended together. New technology has transformed production of dry wines, including Bordeaux-Blanc, Entre-Deux-Mers and Pessac-Leognan. The most famous Bordeaux whites are sweet- especially Sauternes and Barsac.
Best for light to medium reds. Covering the vast tract of Eastern France from Auxerre to Lyon. The Pinot Noir grape produces an incredible variety of flavours. In the south the Beaujolais grape produces juicy, fruity, strawberry and plum flavours. Top reds come from Cote d'Or, home of the world famous Grand Cru vineyards such as Clos de Vougeot and Chambertin. Mercurey, a wine from Burgundy's Côtes Chalonnaise is expensive but worth it. Newer, but no less fascinating, are the Hautes Cotes and Chablis. White Burgundy is renowned as the world's finest white wine. The best are totally dry but with the richness of honey and hazelnut, melted butter and sprinkled spice - Aloxe-Corton, Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. Other styles include the steely Chablis, Rully and Montagny. Grapes; Pinot Noir, Gamay and Chardonnay.
One of the great country wines of South-West France made from Malbec, Merlot, Tannat and Jarancon Noir grapes. Dark and highly tannic, Cahors requires a lengthy bottle age to soften.
The northernmost outpost of Burgundy. The best Chablis is white and dry with a light and unassertive fruity flavour. There are 3 qualities; grand cru, premier cru and petit Chablis. Look out for Chablis Grand Cru from Bougros, Les Preuses, Vaudesir, Grenouilles, Valmur, Les Clos and Les Blanchots. These wines should ideally be drunk when 1-2 years old, although some of the best can improve from 3-5 years.
The world's most famous wine which must come by law only from the vineyards of the Champagne district around Reims. Moet et Chandon remains one of the most prestigious houses, best known for vintage Dom Perignon. Krug Grand Cuvee is generally light and elegant with a faint aroma of vanilla. Roederer Cristal is a big, creamy, classic champagne. Laurent Perrier's non-vintage is generally one of the best buys. Try Bollinger Cuvee Tradition for a classic, robust and complex champagne to remember. Other brands; Alfred Gratien, Billecart-Salmon, Charles Heidsieck, De Venoge, Henriot, Gosset, Jacquesson, Lanson, Pol Roger, Pommery, Ruinart, Salon, Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot. Grapes; Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
Over 90% of Rhone Valley wines are either red or rose. Juicy, spicy and easy to drink. Côtes du Rhône AC should be drunk within two years. Quality can vary enormously, but opening it a few hours before you drink it can take away the rough edge. The best known AC Rhône red is Chateauneuf du Pape - a full wine with a high alcohol content, best served with strongly flavoured food. Grapes; Syrah, Grenache and Muscat.