Sunday November 09, 2008 - Dessert Wine
Burgandy, France - Famous For Its Wines
The terroir is a group of vineyards or vines from the same area which have a common soil and climate. And nowhere else, other than Burgundy in France, is it held so fondly.
Burgundy is a region situated in central east France, which experiences bitter cold winters matched with beautiful warm summers. It is the home of 1.6 million inhabitants.
Burgundy (Bourgogne) is famous throughout the world for its wines. Spanning over 31,500 square kilometers (over 12,000 square miles), with a 360 km (225 mi) strip stretching 100km (60 mi) south of Paris, down from south of Dijon to north of Rho?ne, houses 99 different wine appellations.
Ranging from the vibrant red Pommard and Corton to the medium Beaune ? to the sparkling whites, the dry Chablis or Chassagne Montrachet, over 180 million bottles of some of the fines wines are made in this region.
As an aftermath of the French revolution the vineyards belonging to the monasteries were broken down to smaller plots ? which exist even today.
The finest quality wine, designated as ?Premier Cru? ? is available from 600 of the vineyards in the region while 33 of them is credit to produce the even more classy ?Grand Cru? wines. Among these the most renowned are Montrachet, Chambertin and Clos Vougeot.
Made from the pinot noir grapes, the burgundy red wines taste best with Boeuf Bourguignon or pheasant. On the other hand a Chablis or their sparkling white wines go best with anything from shrimps to goat cheese.
The famous white wine called Chablis derives its name from a village of the same name. These are dry whites with an acidity that refreshes. The special Chardonnay grapes thrive in limestone that has been made richer with remains of fossils.
As an accompaniment to lamb or grilled chicken, the best choice is the fruity-flavored, world famous Beaujolais made from the Gamay grape. These grapes grow in granite limestone.
The ever-popular and delicious red is grown in Volnay for the last 8 centuries. The grapes are Pinot Noir grown across 600 acres which is responsible in producing 1.3 million bottles of this amazing wine which has the flavors of raspberries and violets.
And then there is Meursault, located close by, famous for its Premier Cru labels of finest white wines. 2.5 million bottles of the finest wine, Chardonnay, aged anywhere between 3 to 15 years is grown in just over 1000 acres. Fish in white sauce go extremely well with this fine wine with its almond and apple flavors.
But what still makes the headlines is the red Pommard with its tannic and manly flavor, staging a comeback after many years of decline. From just 780 acres of Pinot Noir grown in limestone and red clay are produced 1.8 million bottles of this wine with the flavors of black cherry and black currant. Goes excellent with game venison and roasted red meat with Livarot cheese, these can age from 5 to 15 years.
Whatever your taste buds need, there is very little chance of returning home disappointed with a Burgundy.
About the Author:
Melinda Carnes is a staff writer at Everything Gourmet and is an occasional ocntributor to several other websites, including Coffee Enthusiast.
A Short Dessert Wine Summary
Burgandy, France - Famous For Its Wines
The terroir is a group of vineyards or vines from the same area which have a common soil and climate. And nowhere else, other than Burgundy in France,...
Click Here to Read More About Wine ...
Recommended Dessert Wine Items
Wine Enthusiast 2 Piece Corkscrew and Bottle Opener - Burgundy
A 2-piece corkscrew and bottle opener that fits conveniently in your pocket or bag. Ideal for travel.
Price: 2.95 USD
Current Dessert Wine News
Restaurant Review
Thu, 13 Sep 2007 05:16:01 -0700
A review of Seasons 52--Fresh Grill and Wine Bar: an upscale restaurant with affordable, nutritious, calorie-lightened items. It is the trend-setter for the mini-indulgence dessert tray.
Ice wine: The frozen secret
Wed, 22 Aug 2007 11:56:30 -0700
Here's a different wine! Ice wine is a dessert wine made from frozen grapes still on the vine. It is known as Eiswein in Germany.
You Have to Eat to Get Flatter Abs
Wed, 22 Aug 2007 04:24:08 -0700
Sounds like we need a meal that starts with a salad tossed with olive oil and orange juice vinaigrette, a cheese course, a fish as an entree, frozen real lowfat yogurt for dessert, and a glass of wine to wash it all down. Ab fat, be gone!
Summer Wine
Vintage Charts
Gift Ideas
Labels: Wine Rack | Wine Racks