French wines have been at the heart of the old winemaking world. Wine has been made here since the 6th century BC but really took off during Roman times.
Many of the world’s most illustrious fine wines are, in fact, French wines. The techniques and grape... Read More
French wines have been at the heart of the old winemaking world. Wine has been made here since the 6th century BC but really took off during Roman times.
Many of the world’s most illustrious fine wines are, in fact, French wines. The techniques and grape varieties cultivated in France over the years have influenced the whole winemaking world; in addition, many grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, that are historically linked to French wines, are now grown successfully in countries like Chile and Australia. France wines truly are the epicentre of wine culture and HAY WINES have explored this promise land for the most interesting gems it has to offer.
French wines have one of the oldest systems for protecting the origins of its wines. The Appellation d'origine contrôlée, or AOC, are special laws that dictate where and how wine can be made in specific regions.
French wines are also produced outside of the appellation system and are known as Vin de France wines. These wines may not have a prestigious label, but working outside the AOC allows winemakers the freedom to experiment with some terrific results.
French wines are diverse, partly thanks to the country’s varied climates and terroirs which means it can produce all sorts of wine from dry to sweet and everything in between. In fact, the term ‘terroir’ was created in France to describe the different factors that can affect each type of grape and, therefore, each style of French wines.
