We’re off to what some would say was wine’s spiritual home, that oasis of
oenology, virtuoso of the vine, grande dame of the grape, France (undoubtedly their
opinion, grudgingly, perhaps, ours too). Egged on by the Greeks and the Romans,
they’ve been at this winemaking business for a while now, and they’ve become (some
would say) annoyingly good at it. Indeed, it doesn’t take long to uncover the fact
that many of the world’s finest vinous practitioners take their inspiration from the
holy grails of Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the legendary reds and the
sweet wines of Bordeaux, the aromatic wonders of Alsace, the spicy opulence and deft
balance of the Rhône Valley’s blended wines, the delicious delicacy of Chablisean
Chardonnay, the smoky, mineral elegance of the Loire Valley Sauvignons, or perhaps
the deceptively pale yet dazzlingly weighted Provençal rosés. And really, who can
forget the effervescent pinnacle that is French champagne? It just goes on.
