Growing Wine in France

Wine growing and harvesting: A grapevine produces for 30 years. It takes three years for a young grapevine to begin producing and six years to reach its normal production. Pruning takes place in winter and the vines are sprayed several times a year in order to eradicate the grapevines' enemies: mildew, phylloxera, oidium and vicoses. Artificial clouds protect against frost.

Winegrowing methods vary from one region to another. In Burgundy harvesting the stems begins without delay. In the Bordeaux region, however, harvesting takes place over three weeks, especially for the sweet white wines, and the grapes are harvested as soon as the grape reaches absolute maturity, and not before. The workers go from grapevine to grapevine each day picking only the fully ripe bunches to ensure the sweetness of the grapes. They are called "rotis" (roasted by the sun.)

In Champagne, the grapes are carefully cut off the vine with scissors and any grape that isn't perfect is removed. The grapes are then transported in special carts equipped with springs. Once they reach the winegrower's facility the grapes are stripped from the stems, either totally or partially depending on the region and placed into vats where the grapes are pressed to burst the skins; certain wines, however, retain their grapes intact, with the skin on. The pressing (foulage) is now done by machines, except for very small private wine growers. For centuries this was done by men. The author remembers spending hours under a hot September sun, jumpings in vats with several other little girls, squashing the grapes. It took months to get rid of the stains on our legs. The skins were collected and thrown to the side and chicken gorged themselves, until they were drunk, falling and running in circles. They loved their "vin nouveau."

Once the skins are removed, the grapes are placed in vats where they will ferment. For many centuries these vats were made of wood, but these days they have been replaced by stainless steel vats, with the exception of certain grands crus wines.

The legal definition of wine: The product of the fermentation of fresh grapes. Fermentation occurs spontaneously due to the yeast contained naturally in the grapes. According to Pasteur, the temperature required for fermentation must not exceed 35 degrees Celsius and never reach below 19 degrees. The ideal temperature is 25 degrees. The length required for fermentation varies according to regions, from twenty four hours to fifteen days. Modern tendencies seem to prefer shorter periods. In Burgundy, for example it is now only one or two days. The wine is then filtered and put into oak barrels where fermentation continues at low temperatures. Ordinary table wine is then delivered for consumption and quality wines are allowed to stay in barrels for three or four years before being poured into bottles where they will continue to age.

Our next article will be dedicated entirely to Champagne. See you then.

Francine Fuqua - author, artist and lover of life. Born in war-torn France at the beginning of World War II, I have experienced and remember the horrors of war. Having witnessed the pain and suffering of so many, I have a true love of life and appreciate the freedom I now have living in the United States of America. Join me in a celebration of art, french cooking, my family's rich history and my native country at.

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A Guide to Fine Wine

Wine is made from grapes, primarily the Vitis Vinifera. The main grape varieties, often called noble, are grown all around the world. They are widely recognised as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Grigio (Gris) for white grapes and Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (Shiraz), Merlot, Pinot Noir and Grenache for red.

There are over one thousand (1000) grape varieties, as recently listed in the new book by wine expert Jancis Robinson. Wine is made all around the world, but is commonly divided into traditional wine producing countries (Old World) and countries where grapes have only been recently cultivated (New World). Old World wines come from countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Hungary, Romania and England. New World wines come from countries like the USA, Chile, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.

Old World Countries have complex laws that define how and where grape varieties may be grown. These exist under the European framework of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). In France the system is the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) and Vin de Pays. In Spain it is the Denominación de Origen (DO) and the Vino de la Tierra (VDLT). In Italy Denominazione di Origine Controllata (e Garantita) (DOC/DOCG) and the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT). In Germany there is the Prädikatswein and Qualitätswein.

Famous wine producing regions include Bordeaux in France, where the red wine is often called Claret. The famous classification system here dates back to 1855 when the top Chateau were classified into five stages. This only applies to the wines produced on the left bank of the Dordogne river.

Other famous French wine regions include Burgundy, home to Chablis, Loire where Sancerre is made and the famous wines of Alsace. The most famous wine region in Spain is undoubtedly Rioja and the name Chianti and Chianti Classico is synonymous with Italy.

The New World Wine regions include the Napa and Sonoma Valley in California, USA where Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel are famous grapes. Wines such as Mondavi and E&J Gallo are well known and popular. Jacob's Creek is the best known Australian brand, although quality wine regions include the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale in South Australia where quality Shiraz is grown, Semillon from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales and Margaret River in Western Australia.

In New Zealand the Marlborough region produces fresh Sauvignon Blanc, although Central Otago is becoming a classic Pinot Noir region. The Malbec grape produces fantastic red wines in Argentina, mainly from the high altitude region of Mendoza.

Chile is home to a wide variety of grapes, their long thin country having several valleys that run parallel to the Andes, such as the Casablanca Valley, Maipo and Colchagua.

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The Effect of the Weather on Wine

Those interested in investing in fine wines should keep an eye on the 2011 French vintage. In fact, according to experts the only thing that could interrupt a great harvest would be heavy storms or a plague of locusts.

The reason for this excitement? France's miserable summer.

Wine, unlike money, grows on trees and is therefore dependent on environmental factors. The first step to a good investment wine is a temperate climate. The perfect balance between sun and rain is essential to making sure the vines grow well and produce fruit.

Drought caused by unseasonal warm weather can cause vines to spend more energy sending their roots down to find water, instead of creating grapes. Hailstorms can destroy fruits by thrashing the vines.

Frost is deadly to vines although advances in technology have made this less of a problem in chillier wine growing regions such as Chablis. Recent freak weather conditions in France have rightly caused concern; with some French chefs joking that if global warming continues future fine wines will be grown in Scotland instead.

Knowing the various effects of weather on viticulture is a good place to start when you take your first steps into wine investing. Monitoring the weather in wine growing regions of France, for example, will help you to detect future vintages which will offer a good return. You may even become confident enough to invest en primeur: before the wine is even bottled.

Wine is a unique asset. Unlike other luxury items, such as gold or Aston Martin cars, the supply of fine wine is fixed. If demand for gold or Aston Martin increases, more can be made, but fine wines have a set production number - once the grapes are picked, no more vines can be planted, and geographical regions are controlled by law.

Fine, investment-grade wine is considered to be only the top 50 to 100 traded wines, although some go further and specify that only those from chateaus in the Bordeaux region qualify.

TAX BREAKS
Wine investment is not liable to capital gains tax (CGT), because of a tax regulation called the "Wasting asset rule". This decrees that if an asset has a life of 50 years or less no CGT is payable on it.

On top of your annual capital gains tax allowance of £10,100, there is an added exemption for jewellery, art and antiques worth less than £6,000.

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A Beginner's Guide To Bordeaux Fine Wines

Wine is the sort of hobby that for many is a daunting and intimidating one that only those with the right knowledge are allowed to dabble in. But those with the knowledge weren't born with it - they had to learn it somehow! So here is our beginners guide to wines from one of the most important in the world: Bordeaux.

Whether you want to become a wine expert and use your knowledge and expertise to host wine tastings and events, or simply want to show off to your friends and family, starting with Bordeaux wines is a good place to start. They don't have to be expensive either - Bordeaux fine wine on sale can be found at all wine merchants. So read on to see what you can find out about Bordeaux fine wines.

The History Of Bordeaux Fine Wines

Bordeaux is one of the most famous and important wine regions in the world. Its 120,000 hectares make it one of the largest wine regions in France, and each vintage on average produces 700 million bottles of wine across the region ranging from everyday wines to some of the most prestigious and luxurious wines in the world.

Almost 90% of wines produced in Bordeaux are red due to the high number of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes growing across the region. The climate for these wines is perfect, allowing the vines to thrive and produce beautifully ripened grapes all year round.

Red Bordeaux Wines

Bordeaux is home to thousands of fine wines, with the majority of them being red although there are many beautiful whites also. If you're hoping to learn more about wine whilst on a budget, there are many Bordeaux fine wine on sale that can whet your palate. Besides, you may find Bordeaux wines aren't for you, although it doesn't happen very often!

Red wines are typically produced with a blend of various different grapes to give the wines their signature delicious and more rounded flavours. The most common grapes used are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot as well as Malbec and Carmenere. When paired together, particularly the Cabernet Sauvignon with the Merlot, the harsh flavours of the Cabernet Sauvignon become more rounded and easier to drink thanks to the Merlot's soft tannins. The Villa Antinori Rosso is a beautiful example of how harmonious the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes are when blended together.

White Bordeaux Wines

Bordeaux is such a large region with different parts having better soils and climates to others. The Chateau Deville Blanc is a fine Bordeaux wine, which hails from the Entre-Deux-Mers part of Bordeaux, which translates as 'between the seas'. The rich alluvial soils found here allow the growing of white grapes to thrive, which is what makes up the Chateaus Deville Blanc. Made from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon grapes, the wine has real depth and fresh citrusy flavours.

Bordeaux's varying climates and soils makes it one of the most versatile regions perfect for producing a number of different wines. Now you have a little more information, delve into the Bordeaux wine at your local wine merchant. Whether you splash out on an expensive bottle or hunt for Bordeaux fine wine on sale you're likely to pick up a beautiful bottle of wine.Moez Smith is a wine enthusiast that enjoys writing about the best Bordeaux fine wine on sale. Visit The Perfect Cellar website for more information about fine wines.

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