| VIN-SIGHTS |

BY MARNIE OLD

It is almost impossible to make sense of the modern wine world without grasping the influential role played by France .

The French may not have been the first to make wine , and may no longer dominate today ’ s market share , but they were first to systematically pursue quality in winemaking . On that front they faced little competition before the late 1800s . As a result , anyone anywhere looking to improve the quality of their wine has naturally turned to France for inspiration .

Virtually all wines made outside Europe use grapes of French origin , and follow the “ recipes ” of the French classics , such as white Burgundy , red Bordeaux and sparkling Champagne . Even in countries that have their own wealth of native grape varieties — like France ’ s closest rivals , Italy and Spain — the best wines are generally made with French grape-growing and winemaking techniques , and many are aged in French oak barrels .

Several feature famous French grapes ( like cabernet sauvignon ) in blends based on local varietals , such as Tuscan Sangiovese or Castilian Tempranillo . And , when winemaking rules were standardized throughout the European Union , the quality-oriented French system was adopted for all : naming wines by place , regulating permitted grapes and maximum yields , and establishing formal hierarchies based on wine quality .

Wine educator Marnie Old is director of vinlightenment for Boisset Collection and former director of wine studies for Manhattan ’ s French Culinary Institute .

ICONS OF FRANCE

Six French wine zones are far more influential than the rest , and are worth learning at least a little about . This is not only due to the prominence of their own wines in the market , but also as result of their global relevance . The vast majority of fine wines made outside of Europe are modeled on these classic French archetypes .

Burgundy : Chardonnay , pinot noir ( still ) Bordeaux : Cabernet sauvignon , merlot , malbec Champagne : Chardonnay , pinot noir ( sparkling )

Rhône Valley : Syrah ( aka shiraz ), viognier , grenache blends ( aka garnacha )

Alsace : Riesling , pinot gris ( aka pinot grigio ), pinot blanc Loire Valley : Sauvignon blanc , chenin blanc , cabernet franc

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