FRANCE / A CLOSER LOOK
Explore France
through vineyards and winemaking.
The Bordeaux blend and Burgundy climats.
Learn the differences among individual bottles arising from the combination of grape varieties and vineyard conditions.
The number shows a representative location in the region. It does not indicate administrative boundaries, appellation limits, or vineyard area.Topography: Natural Earth
Start with your current interests.
THE LEARNING PATH
From overall view to individual bottle.
Organize geography and appellations.
Analyze regions in terms of sea, mountains, and rivers, and distinguish between AOC, AOP, and classification systems.
↗02CONNECTIONSLink major varieties to regions.
Learn about the main grape varieties for white and red, as well as key regions and differences in blending and winemaking.
↗03EXPLORATIONAround the 14 regions and winemaking
From the Atlantic side to inland, the Mediterranean, and the islands. Interpret varieties, appellations, and winemaking specific to each region.
↗04DEEPER READINGCompare vineyard and producers.
From the Chablis area, Margaux plots, red and white Clos des Mouches, and Bollinger’s blends.
↗LEARN BY EXPLORING
Use maps and real examples to analyze differences.
Detailed maps of 3 regions, comparative producer diagrams, and 10 document analysis questions.
READ THE DIFFERENCE
Start your comparison with three regions.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Once you’ve learned Left and Right Bank, link rivers and blends. Bordeaux includes not just reds, but also dry and sweet whites.
Bourgogne
Burgundy
Even with the same Pinot Noir or Chardonnay, the place name on the label can range from regional to village to vineyard. First line up the places the name refers to by scope.
Champagne
Champagne
Champagne is both a region name and an appellation. The term cannot be used based solely on the method of secondary fermentation in bottle.