Love It and Drink It Blog

France is synonymous with fine wine, and white wines are no exception. From crisp and refreshing Chardonnays to honeyed Chenin Blancs, French white wines offer a diverse range of flavors and experiences. This guide aims to provide an understanding of the types of French white wines, their classifications, grapes, regions, and ideal food pairings so you can make informed decisions when purchasing and enjoying these fantastic wines.

Understanding AOC and Other French White Wine Classifications

When exploring French white wines, you may come across terms such as “AOC,” “IGP,” and “Vin de France.” These classifications, regulated by the Institut National de l’Origine et de la Qualité (INAO), indicate the quality and geographical origin of the wine:

• AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée): The highest classification, AOC wines must adhere to strict production rules and come from a specific geographical area. Examples include&n

With a wine-making history dating back thousands of years, France’s prestigious wine regions are the birthplace of many of the world’s most beloved red wine varieties. In this guide, we’ll delve into the history of French red wine, introduce you to the key grape varieties, explore the renowned wine regions, and suggest some food pairings to help you choose the best French red wine for your meals.

The History of Red Wine Production in France

Red wine production in France can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who settled in the region around 600 B.C. They brought with them the art of winemaking and cultivated vineyards along the Mediterranean coast. The Romans later expanded viticulture throughout France and, by the Middle Ages, monasteries and noble families were producing wine for both religious and secular purposes.

The modern French wine industry took shape

White wine blends are made from two or more white grape varieties. Blending allows winemakers to craft and balance flavors, aromas, and other qualities until they have the perfect combination. White wine blends offer a wide range of flavors, aromas, textures, and styles that reflect the terroir, tradition, and creativity of wine regions and producers around the world.

In this article, we will introduce you to seven of the best white wine blends from different parts of the world. Our top picks exemplify the power of blending to enhance the complexity, balance, and character of white wines. Whether you are looking for a crisp and refreshing aperitif, a rich and creamy accompaniment to food, or a sweet and luscious dessert wine, you will find something to suit your taste and occasion among these white wine blends.

Château Brown Pessac-Leognan Blanc

Let's start with a classic Bordeaux Blanc. Château B

Discover the effervescent world of Italian sparkling wines with our comprehensive guide. From the production process to popular varieties, we’ll take you on a journey through Italy’s diverse wine landscape. Learn about the differences between Spumante and Frizzante, explore the Metodo Classico and Charmat methods, and familiarize yourself with essential terminology. 

What Is Italian Sparkling Wine?

Italian sparkling wine refers to a type of wine, most often made from white grapes, characterized by the presence of bubbles or carbonation. Produced using several different grape varieties and methods, these wines showcase the diversity of the Italian wine landscape. 

Ranging from dry to sweet and from subtle to bold flavors, Italian sparkling wines cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. As a cornerstone of

France, a land steeped in history and culture, is also home to some of the most prestigious and diverse wine regions in the world. From the elegance of Bordeaux to the lush rosés of Provence, French wine offers a captivating array of flavors, styles, and stories. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular types of French wines and introduce you to the regions that create these world-renowned libations. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a curious newcomer, join us as we delve into popular French wines and learn how to navigate the world of grape varieties, appellations, and vintages that make each bottle unique.

French Grape Varieties, Varietal Wines, and Appellations

When choosing a French wine, it’s useful to know how to read the information on bottle labels. First, let’s look at a few terms that you’ll commonly come across: 

• Grape variety:

Italy is renowned for its diverse and extensive wine culture and grape-growing industry. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the volcanic soil of Sicily, Italy produces some of the most exceptional red wines in the world.

When it comes to Italian red wines, there are countless options to choose from, each with its unique personality and character, from the bold and full-bodied Barolo to the smooth and velvety Chianti.

In this article, we’ll share some of our favorite Italian red wines, highlighting their distinctive features, grape varieties, and terroirs. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or a beginner, this guide will help you navigate the world of Italian red wines and discover new favorites.

Tenuta Tignanello Marchese Antinori Chianti Classico Riserva

A world-renowned Chianti Classico Riserva from Marchesi Antinori, whi

The Finger Lakes wine region, located in New York State south of Lake Ontario, is a captivating landscape of rolling hills, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests. Defined by its 11 slender, finger-like lakes that run north to south, the Finger Lakes provide a microclimate ideal for growing grapes and producing world-class wines.

Wine-making in the Finger Lakes dates back to the 19th century and has been a significant part of the local economy for over 100 years. In 1982, the Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area (AVA) was created, officially recognizing the region’s unique climate and terroir. Today, the Finger Lakes are home to over 120 wineries.

In this article, we’ll explore the wine varieties produced in the Finger Lakes AVA, and suggest some of the best wines to fit any taste and budget, along with tasting notes and food pairings. 

What Type of Wine Is Made in Finger Lakes?

As a temperate wine-growing region, Finger Lakes is best suited to cool-climate grape varieties, which are typically characterized by bright acidity, crispness, and freshness, with a lighter body and lower alcohol content.

Grape varieties grown in the Finger Lakes AVA include Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Cayuga, and Pinot Noir. The region is particularly famed for its Riesling wines. 

Riesling varietals have a distinctive aroma with notes of green apple, citrus, and stone fruit, such as peaches and apricots. They are characterized by a bright acidity and light to medium body. These wines are typically dry, although they can range from very dry to moderately sweet. 

The Best Budget Finger Lakes Wine

The Finger Lakes region produces a wide range of white, red, and rosé wines for less than $15 a bottle. If you’re looking for a light- to medium-bodied wine that won’t break the bank, you’ll love our recommendations, which originate from some of the oldest and best-established wineries in the area.

Salmon Run Chardonnay - Riesling

A fruity and creamy white wine that blends the tropical and citrus flavors of Chardonnay with the floral and honeyed notes of Riesling. It has a refreshing acidity and a light sweetness that balance each other. 

Pairs well with: seafood dishes like shrimp scampi or scallops, poultry dishes like chicken piccata, and lighter fare like salads or quiche.

Port wine is a sweet, often red, fortified wine made from grapes grown in the Douro Valley in northern Portugal. Fortified wine from the region has been known as “port” since the 17th century. The Douro Valley was designated as a protected wine-producing region in 1756, which makes it one of the oldest official appellation-controlled wines in the world. 

Port wine has long been one of Portugal’s foremost exports, first to England and later to other European countries, including France and Germany. By the 19th century, it had become one of the most popular wines in Europe due to its sweetness, strength, and complexity. 

Today, port continues to be widely appreciated around the world for these very same qualities. Port’s unique production process makes it distinct from other wines, allowing winemakers to produce a variety of styles that range from sweet and fruity ruby ports to full-bodied tawny p

Sherry is a unique and complex fortified Spanish wine with a history stretching back centuries. It has origins in the southwest of Spain, particularly regions on the Atlantic coast near the Bay of Cadiz, including Jerez de la Frontera, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa María. 

Due to the distinct environment and climatic conditions that allow vintners to produce grapes suitable for this wine, these three towns are collectively referred to as the "sherry triangle." 

Sherry is made from white grapes—most often the Palomino grape for dry sherries, but also Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel for sweet sherries. The production proc

When it's time to celebrate, it's a near-unquestioned tradition to bust out the sparkling wine. A unique blend of carbonated wine available in a wide variety of flavors and forms, sparkling wine can be made using several different techniques. The most common involves subjecting it to a second fermentation process that induces carbonation by adding yeast and sugar to the wine after it's bottled. 

According to Wine Mag, this is known as the méthode traditionelle. Other techniques for making sparkling wine include:

• The Charmat method, which uses a large pressurized tank to induce secondary fermentation. 
• The Ancestral method, which sees the wine bottled before it's completed its first fermentation; if done incorrectly, this can cause the bottle to explode. 
• Direct carbonation, which injects CO2 into the wine during the bottling process.