Benjamin Franklin said, “The discovery of wine is greater than the discovery of a constellation.” As the world’s top exporter of wine, France has over 10,000 wineries, with each region producing different varieties. Red and white wines, rosés, and sparkling wines, can be distinguished by their fermentation processes, the variety of grapes, and even the soil type.
The most evident distinction is the color of the wines. The color is based on the grapes’ skin color and the use of the skins in the fermentation process. Red wines are made with red grapes and their skins, which give them their color. This process, known as maceration, is responsible for extracting a red wine's color and flavor. Longer maceration times result in deeper-hued reds with more intense flavors. This is why light-skinned grapes like Pinot Noir produce a fresher, brighter style of red, whereas thick-skinned grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon yield more power and concentration. White wines are typically made with white grapes but can also be made with red grapes because the grapes in white wines are stripped of their skins and seeds before being fermented, ridding the wine of any color.
Regarding aging, red wines benefit more from oak barrel storage than white wines. Oak barrels allow more oxygen to seep into the wine, which causes the wine to be less acidic, a better alternative for red wines. White wines can be aged in a barrel, but most are aged in stainless steel containers to maintain acidity.
Wines from France differ based on the regions in which they are produced. Composed of nearly 74,000 acres of vineyards, the Burgundy region, located in Eastern France, is most notable for its production of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes.
Red Burgundy wines are derived from the Pinot Noir grape. Featuring a medium body and medium to high acidity, these wines include notes of spice and forest floor, making them a more earthy Pinot. This wine excels in its versatile pairing options, especially in the meat scene, having the ability to pair with lighter foods, such as chicken, all the way up to heavier foods, such as steak. Regarding its pairing with a charcuterie board, red Burgundy wines pair well with herbaceous cheese, such as those featuring garlic, tomato, and basil.
White Burgundy wines, or Chardonnay wines, pair well with the fall weather as the grapes are prepared in cooler climates. These wines can age in an oak barrel, though only for a short period of time. Featuring a medium or full body that is not considered buttery, this wine is close to Champagne, the famous sparkling white wine from northeastern France. The way it is fermented allows for the production of a fresher Chardonnay. This wine can be chilled, though it is not a necessity. It pairs well with lighter foods like creamy white pasta, chicken, or seafood.
And, of course, the famous bubbly drink, Champagne, must be mentioned. Quite a few discrepancies exist regarding who exactly invented the sparkling wine. Champagne should not be equated with Prosecco, as Prosecco is a similar sparkling wine that originated in Italy, while Champagne is produced exclusively in the Champagne wine region of France. It adheres to strict appellation rules, which include specific vineyard practices, the exclusive sourcing of grapes from designated areas, precise grape-pressing methods, and a secondary fermentation process in the bottle to create its signature carbonation.
For those interested in learning more about wines, check out the Hummingbird Wine Bar’s social media and subscribe to their newsletter. The wine bar, located at 240 Glynn Street in Fayetteville, hosts private tastings, tastings on Tuesdays, and the occasional guest winemakers. They are even hosting a wine festival on October 17th, where participants can taste over 30 different wines and chat with wine professionals. Revival Wines, located at 140 W Lanier Ave in Fayetteville, also hosts various events, including five 2.5-ounce wine tastings from different countries every Wednesday from 6 PM to 9 PM. More information about their events can be found on their socials and website as well.
À votre santé is French for "to your health", santé for short. What a nice exclamation when you share a glass of Burgundy with friends and family.
White Burgundy wines, or Chardonnay wines, pair well with the fall weather as the grapes are prepared in cooler climates.