With a winemaking tradition dating back to the 6th century BCE, France is of course one of the world´s most renowned countries for wine, and this is especially true when it comes to its whites, known for their rich flavors, elegance, and complexity; the best of them can be aged for decades and goes through many different stages before finally being bottled for consumption. It possesses an earthy aroma and taste that you won't find in whites from other countries, due to its temperate climate, which balances out tastes such as brightness or acidity while also bringing out fruit flavors like berries or apples. White wine grapes are grown all over the country, but three main regions produce some of the best: Alsace, Côtes du Rhône, and the Loire Valley. There are hundreds of types of wine coming from these regions, each with its own qualities, flavor profile, and type. But contrary to what you might think, not all of them have to be expensive, though it's true that more affordable vintages may be more challenging to find. Here we recommend five top-quality options (produced, by the way, by wineries which welcome visitors should you make it over here!):
The whites of Clos du Tue-Bœuf are unlike anything you've had before, providing some of the most unusual and engaging tastes in the Loire Valley. They showcase this region well because they're authentic, lively, and full of flavor. All of the grapes are harvested by hand and fermented whole cluster with wild yeast and then slightly treated with very little sulfur dioxide right before the final product gets shipped. It has a crisp taste that's full of delicate notes such as pear and fig. And as they´re a smaller producer, finding their wines online is easier than at a wine store outside France.
Domaine Nicolas Gaudry Pouilly-Fumé
Also in the Loire, the Gaudry family has made white wine in the town of Pouilly-sur-Loire for six generations now. Their Sauvignon Blancs are oak aged and offer a bouquet that consists mostly of lemon peel and white flowers When you take a sip, expect an initial burst of crisp acidity followed by notes of smokey hints with a long finish.
E. Guigal Côtes du Rhône Blanc
The Rhône Valley near Lyon is one of the world´s most distinctive white wine areas, with vines date back to Roman Gaul, around 2400 BCE, and there´s also no other wine region in France offering such tremendous value for money. This domaine in the north was created by Étienne Guigal in 1946 in Côte-Rôtie, and when he arrived, Étienne had just turned 14 and soon became an expert in winemaking - crafting whites over 67 times before retiring at the age of 83. Today they´re one of the region´s biggest producers, that’s why you can easily find their white wines especially online. It´s a blend of mainly Viognier (60 percent) together with 15 percent Roussanne, 10 percent Marsanne, eight percent Clairette, five percent Bourboulenc, and 2 two percent Grenache blanc from vines at least 25 years old. It expresses fresh flower aromas, along with stone fruits, thanks to the high percentage of Viognier.
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône Réserve Blanc
Another Rhône powerhouse, in the south of the region, the Perrin family's wine-industry pedigree dates back to 1909 when they purchased Château de Beaucastel in the town of Courthezon, and the sixth generation is active in all aspects of the business. They rank first among organic vineyards due to their dedication to preserving the soil and doing everything manually rather than depending on machines (though they do have contemporary technology). This has earned them a reputation as a worldwide leader among both customers and producers since they continue to carry on age-old traditions without interruption or compromise. This pale-colored Reserve Blanc has an exquisite flavor that is expressed well with the smells of fresh fruits like apricot, and some flowers and has a buttery texture. There is still a sense of refreshing life in this wine, which reveals its citric aromas when you take a sip - it's perfectly balanced thanks to its strong acidity level. This mineral quality can be tasted on the aftertaste along with a subtle hint of bitter.
In France´s northeast bordering Germany and Switzerland, formerly German Alsace was once one of the most important wine-producing regions in all of Europe. As a result of World War I, however, it became one of France's smallest wine-producing regions, though it remained a powerhouse in the production of whites - 92 percent of its output, especially sweeter vintages such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer. Founded in 1626, Maison Trimbach in Ribeauvillé has been committed to telling the story of this land where tradition meets innovation and celebrates its best white wines, with three generations work tirelessly to further the mission. Indeed, Pierre Trimbach (the head winemaker since 1979) has been voted one of world´s best white wine producers. This Gewurz has a rich bouquet consisting of sweet, ripe stone fruits with an underlying mineral taste, and pairs well with many different foods both savory and sweet - making it perfect for almost every occasion.
Check our blog post about comparison some of the best white wine grapes, and we hope that with our advice you´ll be able to save time and money the next time you shop for French wine online.
Comments
C´est si bon!