France Margherita Co., Ltd. is a well-known winery with world-famous grape wines. Bordeaux Margarita wine is world-renowned. It has a smooth and delicate taste and various styles. It is known as the "Queen of French Wine" "It is recognized as the largest wine producing area in the world.

Introduction

The French Margarita Winery Co., Ltd. is a well-known winery with world-famous grape wines. Bordeaux Margarita wine is world-renowned for its smooth and delicate taste and various styles. , known as the "Queen of French Wine", is recognized as the largest wine producing area in the world.

In 1855, the World Exposition was held in Paris. At that time, King Napoleon III of France ordered the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce to grade the wines from the Bordeaux region. This Bordeaux wine grade table has been passed down to this day. The five top wineries in Bordeaux (Chateau Lafite-Rothshild, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, Chateau Haut Brion, Chateau Monton-Rothshild) is also famous around the world. Over time, the appearance of many French Bordeaux red wine estates has greatly changed. The owners of the estates have changed several times, and the brewing methods are also different from before. However, the principle of this classification method is still followed by people today and has been extended to France and even the world. The ancient wine guilds are also worth mentioning in Bordeaux. This is a non-profit association composed of celebrities and wine professionals. They wear antique red-topped red robes and white shawls and hold solemn and grand ceremonies to commemorate wine-related festivals and events. The guild has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to this day.

Bordeaux is the largest AOC wine-producing region in France. Bordeaux AOC red wines are also very different in classification. Usually, the smaller the production area stated on the wine label, the higher the quality of the wine, so the wine from the winery (Margaret Red) is the most precious. There are more than 8,000 large and small wineries on the 100,000 hectares of vineyards in Bordeaux. The wines they produce have different styles. Even if they are separated by a street, the flavors are completely different. This is one of the reasons why Bordeaux red wine is so fascinating. There is a famous saying in the wine city of Bordeaux: Wine is the child of the brewer. This means that only with excellent brewers can high-quality wine be created. The nobility of Bordeaux Margherita comes from its long and meticulous brewing method: during the fermentation of the grape juice, the skin soaking time controls the clear and attractive color of the red wine and the tannin content in the wine; after the fermentation is completed, it needs to be Extracting the lees that have sunk to the bottom of the fermentation tank is a slow and patient process; the next step is to select the best quality wine and combine different varieties of wine in perfect proportions. This can not only improve the quality of the wine, but also preserve the flavors of different grape varieties, and combine it to create a more unique and wonderful taste. After several months or more, the wine is bottled and capped from oak barrels. The red wines at this time still have vitality. They breathe slowly through the cork, continue to undergo wonderful changes, and gradually reach maturity. Therefore, most Bordeaux red wines are suitable for long-term storage, and fine wines take more than ten years or even decades to mature.

“A bunch of grapes is beautiful, still and pure, but it is just a fruit; once it is pressed, it becomes an animal, because when it becomes wine, there is an animal. " - William Young

French red wine is world-famous. France is not only the country that produces the largest variety of wines in the world, but also produces countless world-famous high-end wines with extremely varied tastes. There are six major production areas for red wine in France, including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, Alsace, Loire Valley, and Cotes du Phone), among which Bordeaux, with its mild climate and iron-rich soil, is the most representative.

The pride of French red wine - Bordeaux

Bordeaux is the largest wine country in the world, and the red wine produced here is the most famous.

The Bordeaux grape planting area is 120,000 hectares, ranking first among the three major wine-producing regions in France. Bordeaux produces 850 million bottles of wine annually, 40% of which are exported, accounting for 25% of France’s total wine exports. France’s foreign trade surplus is 15% % is brought about by Bordeaux wine.

The climate and geographical conditions of the Bordeaux production area are unique: it faces the Atlantic Ocean, has a mild climate, diverse soil forms, and the Gironde River flowing through it, so grapevines grow best here.

Bordeaux wine The eight major wineries in Bordeaux: Lafite, Latour, Margaux, Obiang, Mouton (these five major wineries are located on the left bank of the Garonne River); Chateau Auxon, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Chateau Petrus (these three major wineries are located on the right bank)

Bordeaux’s legal grape varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec.

Famous producing areas

Before drinking red wine, you might as well understand the elegant red wine culture and history of red wine, and you will understand the nobility of red wine subconsciously.

French red wine

In fact, grapes are grown all over the world, so wine is also produced in various countries around the world. Mild climate areas with an average annual temperature of 10-20 degrees Celsius are most suitable for growing grapes. Areas with abundant rainfall and heavy humidity hinder the growth of grapevines. Therefore, good soil drainage is also one of the conditions for planting. Among all the red wines, the reason why I prefer "French red wine" is that France is not only the country that produces the largest variety of wines in the world, but also produces countless world-famous high-end wines.

"Burgundy Region": There are about 1,800 wineries in this region. This region can be divided into six production areas from south to north:

Chablis, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote de Chalonnaise, Maconnais, Beaujolais---- -The most elite of the six districts in Burgundy is the "Cote d'Or" (C?te d'Or) consisting of Night Slope and Bonbonne Slope. The former is famous for its red wine, while the latter is famous for its white wine. The “La Romanee Conti” produced by the Domaine de La Romanee Conti (DRC) in the Vosne-Romanee wine village in this region is the first. Ranked first in red wine.

『Bordeaux Region』: In the Bordeaux region of France alone, there are more than 9,000 wineries (castles). The five major wine-producing areas in the region are: Medoc, Pomerol, St. Emilion, Graves, and Sauternes.

Medoc is arguably the most important region, producing only red wine. Medoc can be subdivided into four small wine regions, from north to south: St-Estephe, Pauillac, and St. Julien. With Margaux. Among them, the three famous wines in Pauillac, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild and Chateau Latour, are like three diamonds. Pauillac has simply become the representative of the Bordeaux region.

The production area of ??Pomerol only accounts for about 3% of Bordeaux. It is true that "things are rare but valuable". If the "Red Wine Diamond" is Romanee-Conti, the one that grabs the second throne should be the representative work "Chateau Petrus" in the Pomerol region of Bordeaux, France.

St. Emilion is also a production area with many famous vineyards. Before the middle of the last century, the quality of wine in this area was generally poor, and there was even a "Coachman's Wine" ridicule! There are only two A-level hotels: Chateau Ausone and Chateau Cheval-Blanc.

Graves: Chateau Haut Brion and Chateau Latour, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Margaux in this area Castle), Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and Chateau Haut Brion enjoy the first-class top wine officially rated by Bordeaux and are also among the top five wineries in the Bordeaux region. .

"Cotes du Rhone (Cotes du Rhone)": Together with Burgundy and Bordeaux, it is known as the three major wine-producing regions in France. The most precious red wine in the entire Rh?ne region is La Turque from the Tyrone region.

Rhone Valley Producing Region (Rhone)

The Rhone Valley Producing Region has a long history and is the earliest wine producing region in France. Archeology shows that as early as the first century AD, as the Romans conquered Gaul, the Romans discovered that both sides of the Rhone Valley were treasure lands for growing grapes, and this became the birthplace of French wine. It was more than 100 years later that grape cultivation spread to Bordeaux and other regions. In the fourteenth century AD, amid disputes with the Holy See, the popes moved to the Rh?ne Valley region and lived in its capital, Avignon. Seven popes lived here for hundreds of years, and successively built the "Papal Palace" and the "Summer Palace". Fort". In order to meet the needs of the Holy See, neighboring vineyards continued to improve grape varieties and brewing techniques, which made the quality of wine in the Rh?ne Valley region improve by leaps and bounds, producing famous wines such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Alsace

The wine road in Alsace winds for more than 50 kilometers. Most of the vineyards are scattered on the sunny slopes of the Voses Mountains. Mountains and ridges, across deep valleys. Among the lush green vineyards stand small, well-preserved medieval villages. Overlooking the plain, against the blue sky and pine forests, it embellishes the most beautiful vineyard scenery in France.

Languedoc/Roussillon[1]

Languedoc

Due to the long-standing wine tradition, the diverse Natural conditions and a wide variety of varieties allow the Languedoc region to produce a variety of wines. Currently, wines of the regional table wine (Vins de pays) grade are still mainly produced, but the AOC grade is increasing day by day.

Roussillon

The Roussillon production area, close to the Spanish border, is located at the foot of the Pyrenees. The terrain is higher and more rugged than Languedoc. In addition to being the most important natural sweet wine (VDN) production area in France, it also produces a good dry wine "Cotes du Roussillon". It mainly produces red wine, but also white wine and rosé. Wine is also produced. The "Cotes du Roussilllon Villages" in the north produces only high-quality red wines. The main characteristics of local red wine are deep color and strong tannins. In addition to fruity aroma, they often have spices. There are not many white wines here, and their biggest features are fresh acidity and light taste. "Collioure" on the border with Spain produces dry red wine and rosé wine, which are dark in color, strong in alcohol, and have a strong and thick taste.

The wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon region are harmonious and have long sunlight hours. They are made from a blend of Syrah and Grenache grapes.

Geography: Mediterranean coastal plain, foothills of the Central Plateau.

Climate: Mediterranean climate, strong sunlight, mild winters and hot summers.

Classification

『French wine is divided into the following categories based on wine law and quality』 1. Wine from legal production areas 2. Excellent regional table wine 3. Regional table wine 4. Daily Table wine

Legal production area wine, abbreviated as AOC, is the highest level of French wine

-AOC means "Controlled Designation of Origin" in French.

——The grape varieties, planting quantity, brewing process, alcohol content, etc. in the area of ??origin must be certified by experts.

——It can only be brewed with grapes grown in the place of origin and must not be blended with grape juice from other places.

——AOC production accounts for approximately 35% of France’s total wine production.

——The wine bottle label is marked as Appellation+region name+Controlee.

Excellent regional table wine, abbreviated as VDQS

—is the level that ordinary regional table wine must go through to transition to the AOC level. If the wine performs well during the VDQS period, it will be upgraded to AOC.

——The production accounts for only 2% of the total French wine production.

——The wine bottle label is marked as Appellation+region name+Qualite Superieure.

Regional table wine VIN DE PAYS (English meaning Wine of Country)

——The best wine among daily table wines has been upgraded to regional table wine

——The production area can be indicated on the label of regional table wine.

——It can be blended with grape juice from the production area indicated, but only from grapes in the production area.

——The output accounts for about 15% of the total French wine production.

——The bottle label is marked as Vin de Pays + the region name

——Most of France’s regional table wines are produced along the southern Mediterranean coast.

Daily table wine VIN DE TABLE (English meaning Wine of the table)

——It is the lowest grade wine, for daily drinking.

——It can be blended from grape juice from different regions. If the grape juice is limited to various producing areas in France, it can be called French daily table wine.

——Grape juice from countries outside Europe is not allowed

——The production accounts for about 38% of the total French wine production.

——The bottle label indicates Vin de Table

French red wine variety

Cabernet Sauvignon

If not for the sake of saying it is If it comes from Medoc, people will not introduce this star in the world's grape industry, because only in Medoc, combined with Merlot, can it have the best quality. If its aroma is characterized by green pepper, people have also learned to control its tannins so that it can also emit other aromas such as black tea seeds, leather, cedar, spices and black fruits. This rich aroma, together with its tannins and aging potential, is recognized throughout the world through Bordeaux wines. It is also widely used in regional table wines. The wines produced are mainly fruity. In order to adapt to faster consumption, it is very successful in Languedoc, for example. At least 170,000 hectares of land around the world are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, from Moldavia to South Africa. This variety matures late and has thick skin, but requires hot soil to reach ideal ripeness. In France it cannot go further north than Bordeaux.

Syrah

Legend has it that Syrah was brought back from Shiraz in Iran during the Crusades in 1224. However, there are endless debates about this issue. Although this The variety has made its home in the Rh?ne Valley. The local soil is poor and dry, and the climate is suitable for this slow-growing, late-maturing variety, such as the steep slopes of Rodi. Recently, the planting area of ??this variety in France has reached 45,000 hectares. In addition to the Rh?ne Valley, it is also planted in Languedoc and Provence. Regional table wines also make this a fabulous variety. The wine produced from the Syrah variety has a bright color, and its soul is the smoky aroma of the wine. The peppery aroma surrounds the aroma of violet flowers, mulberries and bilberries. At the same time, what attracts enthusiasts is its balanced tannins, which are powerful and strong. Velvety. France now accounts for 70% of world Syrah production.

Gotoas

Gotoas Manor was founded in 1281 by a nobleman named GOTOAST. In 1900, Baron James Rothschild purchased it at a public auction for a whopping 3.2 million francs. The family has owned Chateau Gautez to this day, and has been able to maintain the quality of Chateau Gautez and its reputation as the world's top wine.

Goters is the first imported wine brand in France and one of the agent brands under the Goethe Wine chain store. Being able to have the world's top quality is, of course, first of all due to the unique soil and local micro climate (Micro Climate) of Gaoteszhuang. The total area of ??Chateau Gautes is 90 hectares, with 8,500 grapevines planted per hectare. The annual output is about 30,000 boxes of wine (12 bottles of 750ml per box). This output ranks first among all the world's top wineries. The grapes of Chateau Gautes are grown using very traditional methods. Chemicals and fertilizers are basically not used. Careful artificial care is used to ensure that the grapes are fully mature before being picked. During the picking process, skilled workers will pick and screen the grapes from the trees, and those who are not good will not be picked. After the grapes are picked and sent to be pressed, they will be screened twice by more advanced skilled workers to ensure that every grape being pressed meets high quality requirements.

Gamay

The other name of Gamay is Gamay Beaujolais. As the name suggests, there is an inseparable relationship between the two, that is, 60% of Gamay species are planted in the Beaujolais region. . The gravelly soil in the area is poor and acidic, ideal growing conditions for fine grapes. Gamay is also grown in Burgundy and the Loire Valley, where the northern climate conditions are also very suitable. Gamay has aromas of mulberries, cherries, strawberries, and gooseberries, and can also be used to make deceiving second-rate wines. Due to its low tannin content, Gamay has a predominantly fruity aroma with a hint of acidity, making it ideal for home cooking and drinking chilled. This characteristic is even better expressed in Beaujolais Nouveau. That is wine brewed for the joy of life.

Carignan

This variety once gave people a bad impression and was always associated with mass-produced grapes. Because of its high yield, it was often used Make common table wine. Now people finally recognize its merits. It is a late-maturing variety and is immune to frost damage, but it must be planted in a hot climate, otherwise it will never mature. While its yields are limited to 30-70 hectoliters per hectare, this Spanish variety - which can still be found in Priorat - produces exceptional wines: moderate acidity, noble for astringent wines. The color, for example, is ideal when blended with Grenache. There is also a trump card in the best terroirs, in vineyards with distinctive personalities, like Fitou in Roussillon, in Corbières or in Provence. It should be said that its aroma is very attractive, with aromas of red fruits, spices, and gargoyles (typical plants in the Mediterranean region). The tannins are astringent and slightly smooth. West Bengora has 160,000 hectares of land under cultivation.

Cabernet Franc

Although Cabernet Franc is not closely related to Cabernet Sauvignon, in comparison, Cabernet Franc is stronger and more mature. Cabernet Franc is the king of Loire Valley red wines. But in Bordeaux and the southwestern production areas, it also occupies a second-tier position and is highly regarded. There are 45,000 hectares of Cabernet Franc planted in the world, with France accounting for the most, with 36,000 hectares. It is also planted in northern Italy and Australia. Although the wine made from it is suitable for aging, the tannins are slightly more suitable than Cabernet Sauvignon, giving it a velvety mouthfeel at the end of the new wine period. It is particularly adapted to the climate of the Loire Valley, Bourgueil and Chenin regions. People there learned to like raspberry, cherry and licorice aromas, as well as a delicate, supple tannin balance, as early as Rabelais's hedonistic days. It is very suitable for aging.

Grenache

Grenache is native to Aragon. It was the main variety in the Middle Ages and became one of the best and high-quality grape varieties in southern France. Lacking the ability to resist disease, the favorable climate of the Rh?ne Valley and Languedoc favors it. Grenache covers an area of ??100,000 hectares and is grown in all production areas along the Mediterranean. It likes barren, hot, pebbly soil. Due to its high sugar content, it can be used not only to make natural sweet wines, but also to perfectly blend with Syrah in many regional table wines and many wines with controlled origins. Grenache is bright in color, powerful and mellow, with aromas of red fruits, dried plums, and spices. After aging for a long time, it will also have the taste of mocha coffee, chocolate or tobacco.

Cinsault

Cinsault is often associated with Carignan, and it once had a bad reputation because it was produced in large quantities. Today, Cinsault has only 30,000 hectares of planting area in France, with a total area of ??45,000 hectares. It also controls the yield to make the wine produced more fragrant and balanced. It is often used to blend rosé wines from Mediterranean regions such as Provence.

Its delicious aroma of peaches, raspberries and strawberries, sweet taste and slightly sour taste make it the king of summer rosé wines. It grows best in poor, arid soil. Blended with Grenache and Syrah, it becomes an indispensable variety in the production of some red wines, such as Minerva, Lirac and even Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The depth of color of Cinsault-based wines is unremarkable, but it lends the resulting wine a smoothness and harmony, balancing the alcohol of Grenache with the astringency of Carignan.

Merlot

Who could predict that this variety, which was second-rate until the 19th century, would have such a glorious future? The king of grape varieties in the world has 190,000 hectares of land cultivated around the world, of which 10,000 hectares are in France. It adapts well to a wide variety of growing and climatic conditions, from Bordeaux to Adelaide, Santalena to Mendoza, yet some say it reaches its highest potential in the small village of Pomerol . This is a hardy, early-maturing variety that is well suited to the deeper, colder Libourne soils of Bordeaux. Merlot has everything going for it: a beautiful dark red color, slightly spicy red fruits, sometimes dried plum aromas, and especially a strong yet delicate structure thanks to fairly dense yet velvety tannins. If its various characteristics are complementary to those of Cabernet Sauvignon, and the two are often blended together, we can better understand that it will have a better future.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir was cultivated by the Gauls in the Burgundy region before Roman rule, and later gradually reached Alsace, Germany and even Spain and the United States. The coldest place in Oregon. This breed is willful, easily susceptible to cold and disease, and matures precociously, like a genius child with a bad temper. However it ripens early and is a bonus in northern regions where summer ends early. In ideal climate conditions in Burgundy, Pinot Noir yields impressive results in terms of richness, balance and aromatic fullness. And it is the only red grape variety in Burgundy, with surprising diversity of expression. France is the world's largest producer of Pinot Noir, covering an area of ??25,000 hectares (60,000 hectares worldwide). If the color of the wine is not its best characteristic, it is its aftertaste and exquisiteness that make it a precious grape variety. Pinot Noir has the aroma of small red fruits, cherries, kirsch, leather, shrubs, and game. It has its own value. The tannins of this variety are fine and silky, especially easy to melt, giving a lot of pleasure to the taste. It is suitable for aging. .

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is a star from another world, but there is not much introduction about it. This is a highly plastic, i.e. highly adaptable, variety, but only in northern soil can it fully display its strong aroma, moderate acidity, balance and especially its aging potential. The best Chardonnay comes from Burgundy, especially Montrachet, which is not surprising, but is also found in Champagne and Languedoc, as is sometimes found in regional table wines that are good for drinking new wine. Further afield, there are traces of it in the Loire Valley, the CDO Limoux region and even the New World. Chardonnay is very afraid of spring frost, but the quality of the wine it brews is noble, because it is very elegant and rich in fragrance, with the taste of linden tea, peach, pear, acacia honey, fern, and citrus-flavored bread. It is truly worthy of the name. What a grand festival for the senses.

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc had its roots in Bordeaux before “globalization”. The combination with Semillon has made Graff's wines famous all over the world, and recently it has injected new vitality into the controlled designation of origin between two seas. It grows in the excellent calcareous soil of Sancerre, and due to its strong adaptability, it also made its way to the Languedoc, where it made the regional table wines very successful. The area under cultivation of Sauvignon Blanc has grown steadily, and today there are 20,000 hectares in France and 45,000 hectares worldwide. Wine research has recently discovered its aroma release mechanism. Today, wines made from this variety are well balanced in terms of intensity of aromas (cotyledon, grapefruit, boxwood, citrus, narcissus), taste and liveliness, making them the choice of many white wines with Controlled Origin designations or regional dishes. The "best seller" in wine.

Gewurztraminer

This is a white and rosé grape variety. Like the famous Jura Savagne, it is an outstanding representative of Alsace wine. Gewürztraminer is a famously aromatic variety that is hardy and early-ripening, making it sensitive to spring frosts. In France, only 2,600 hectares are planted to produce dry white wines with strong aromas, such as lychee or rosewood, or spiced bread or citrus slices.

Its color is also very individual, being darker than traditional white wines due to the pigmentation of its skin which gives it golden reflections. These wines are broad, almost fat, and very powerful. When the botrytis process is carried out, the aroma is very rich, with notes of honey, dried apricots and rose petal pulp.

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc appeared in the Angers region in the 11th century, and later spread to Touraine and the central Loire Valley. This variety is very delicate and easy to rot. It usually grows in the hottest lands, especially on sloping hillsides. It can undergo the noble rot process and make high-quality liqueurs. There are 10,000 hectares of planting area, and it is also used to make Languedoc Crimson sparkling wine. However, it was in the Loire Valley that it gained its noble reputation, producing a large number of white wines, from dry to sweet, as well as sparkling wine, Leon, Vouvray, and Savignier, all made from It is brewed. Often combined with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, it makes the wines of the Loire Valley richer in aroma. Sweet wines taste delicate and fruity, with flavors of citrus, pear, papaya, and even honey and candied fruits.

Sémillon

This famous Bordeaux variety is prolific and hardy, quite resistant to common grape diseases, but is susceptible to rot in humid climates during late ripening. However, in the small environment of Sauternes, it is dry and sunny during the day, allowing it to undergo noble rot movement, which is an indispensable process for sweet wine. Of the 35,000 hectares of planting area in the world, 40% is in Bordeaux and Aquitaine, where the climate, especially the good late autumn, is suitable for it to thrive. Sémillon is blended with Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadet to produce local white wines, the first-class ones having the controlled origin names of Pessac-Léognan and Sauternes. This variety is less showy than its companion Sauvignon Blanc and has low acidity, bringing roundness and aromas of dried fruit, almond, pear, and honey.

Pinot Gris

This famous variety is ripe gray-blue in color. It is only produced in Alsace and is also widely planted in Italy (Pinot griggio). However, if it is In its best orientation on the slopes of the Vosges Mountains, it will ripen particularly well, allowing it to undergo the botrytis process (sporozoites). Alsace Pinot Gris produces powerful and outstanding wines because it is well adapted to the local soil. It has a rich aroma, sometimes even smokiness, and enough acidity to allow it to age for a longer period of time. Powerful enough to accompany game meat in place of red wine, it is allowed to be grown in the Grands Crus of Alsace.

Ugni Blanc

Ugni Blanc is originally from Italy. Judging from the planting area (100,000 hectares), it is a large variety. It is used to brew high-quality distilled liquor and origin-monitored named Cognac. and Armagnac. For decades it has also been used to make dry white wines for regional table wines, and to a lesser extent some of the controlled designations of origin, such as Cassis, Bordeaux and Aix. Ugni Blanc is very sensitive to winter frosts and is better suited to growing in warmer areas. In its northern production area (Cognac region), the wine it produces is very sour and has low alcohol content, making it most suitable for distillation. On the contrary, in hotter places, the wine brewed from it is relatively fresh, fragrant and thirst-quenching. In Provence, Ugni Blanc is even richer and richer in aroma, with hints of pine resin, papaya and lemon.

How to save

The most taboo thing about saving wine is strong changes in temperature. If it is at room temperature when you buy it in the store, you only need to store it at room temperature at home. Can. If you want to drink chilled wine, just freeze it before drinking. If you store wine in the refrigerator, it is only suitable to store it in a vegetable room where the temperature changes are small. The most ideal and long-term storage environment is to maintain a constant temperature between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius, a humidity between 65% and 80%, and keep it dark. Generally, wine is placed in the basement. Keep it clean to prevent other odors from seeping into the wine.