I’ve been pondering on two separate, yet related bits of news about the world of French wine.
1. The French Government wants to make French wine simpler.
Trying to compete on international markets with New World chardonnays and cabernet sauvignons, France is creating a simpler category of plonk made without any geographical obligation. Called “Vignobles de France”, the category will allow varietals to be placed front and center on the labels, and allow winemaking practices like oak chips and added tannins. Also, it will be possible to make them with a varietal that is planted outside of its traditional region (you want to make a gewurztraminer in Pauillac? It’ll be a Vignobles de France). And you’ll even be allowed to mix wine from different regions.
Clearly, this is a wine industry decision, not unlike (more…)
The OLD Wine Case 