Search results for: win

Do you love wine and dream of having a wine cellar of your own instead of just buying a bottle when needed? This simple guide to starting a wine cellar will show you how to go about it.

Gordon's renovation story

The Côte D’Or is at the heart of the Burgundy vineyards, and it’s on this ‘terroir’ that some of the best known wines are produced. The Côte D’Or is ...

The Côte Chalonnaise covers approximately 25km between Chagny and Saint Vallerin and is named after the town, Chalon-sur-Saône. The soil on which the vines grow and the techniques used to produce the wine is similar to that of the Côte D’Or.

Did you know that certain Grand Cru Beaujolais wines are actually grown, harvested and produced in Burgundy? The transition between the Maçonnais area and Beaujolais is difficult to decipher, ...

Marc Ragaine , The Best Independent Wine Expert In the World 2003 talks to French Entrée Burgundy about why he loves Burgundy and its wines...

Did you know that wine cultivation was brought to Burgundy by the Romans? And that if you enjoy a good glass of Chablis, it's thanks to the Benedictine monks who would drink a mixture of soil and water to work out which grapes would grow best on which soils.

Do you know your Chablis from your Aligoté? Marc Ragaine advises French Entrée Burgundy which vinyards to look out for...

A real winter warmer with a taste of autumn. A great opportunity to use up some of this years apple harvest, whilst enjoying the delights of spicy red wine. Mmm I feel warmer already!

Wine is one of the joys of France. But unlike New World wine that is labelled according to grape, the French system is a complicated mix of regions, appellations and even chateaux. So how to tell what you are buying? Seasoned wine writer, David Best, explains all

September is the most exciting time in the winemaker’s calendar as the harvest begins. For the wine-lover, the change in temperature and the shorter days means an equally exciting shift in drinking habits.

[IMAGE-MISSING]Ellie Jones and her husband Nick moved to the Auvergne in the heart of France in search of a new life – and a place where they could keep horses. Here Ellie describes their first winter in this striking but sometimes chilly part of the country…

Peach wine - a great summer cooler with Gaillac rosé wine and vanilla pods. Infusing time: 21 days Makes: 2 litres

(Mixte) Le poêle mixte Winchester peut aussi être utilisé comme poêle à bois. Il incorpore des vitres latérales pour permettre...

A visit to the region would not be complete without a taste of this sparkling gem - a dry, creamy-textured, full-bodied wine with fruity aromas, a clean taste and a long full finish. Find out more about the legend behind the wine and where to find it. "Blanquette de Limoux"

A visit to the region would not be complete without a taste of this sparkling gem - a dry, creamy-textured, full-bodied wine with fruity aromas, a clean taste and a long full finish. Find out more about the legend behind the wine and where to find it. "Blanquette de Limoux"

[IMAGE-MISSING]With the great Bordeaux becoming more and more pricy every year, it is only natural to look occasionally for bargains, and there may be no better wine bargains available today than the "second wines" of the great Chateaux of Bordeaux. There are certain rules that govern the making of such wines ...

A list of common and not-so-common French wine terms and their definitions.

Situated in the north of the Tarn departement, the Gaillac Appellation area covers 2.500 hectares spread over 73 communes, for an AOC production of over 165.000 hectolitres. The vineyard of Gaillac was one of the first growing centres in Gaul. Today, the appellation gathers around one hundred independent producers and 3 co-operative cellars.

Situated in the north of the Tarn departement, the Gaillac Appellation area covers 2.500 hectares spread over 73 communes, for an AOC production of over 165.000 hectolitres. The vineyard of Gaillac was one of the first growing centres in Gaul. Today, the appellation comprises of one hundred independent producers and 3 co-operative cellars.

The most immediate aspect of the appearance of a wine is its color. Other features to note are clarity, fluidity and effervescence. Commercial wine, whatever its category should be clear, perfectly transparent and free of deposits or suspended particles. Any sign of cloudiness indicates a defect. A fine wine of any color at its prime should be not only clear but also bright with a luminous quality. ...

When describing the aromas found in wine, the first impression to describe is that of the intensity, persistence and general quality of the aromas or "nose". The second stage involves noting the general character of the nose. The final stage consists in identifying specific aromas: intensity, persistence, quality ...

Some minor changes in the condition of a wine are of a nature that will not detract from the wine's aroma or flavor. The most common example is the precipitation of tart rates, yeasts or coloring substances, which form sediment in the bottom of the bottle ...

Describing how a wine tastes involves evaluating various aspects: the relationship between sugar content and acidity; the tactile components of the wine, including alcohol content, tannin levels and the wine's body and texture; the wine's finish; as well as the overall balance and harmony of the wine.

Real Rosé is real wine that's produced in a manner that emphasizes the freshness and charm of youth. It is typically meant for early consumption, but not limited to a six-month shelf life like fruit juice.

The Rhone Valley, by its very nature, has always been the ideal route between the Mediterranean and northern Europe and the Atlantic. The Ancient Greeks used the Rhone to travel into the heart of Gaul to carry out trade ...

A brief introduction to wine, its components and how it is made. Wine is produced from the fermented juice of the grapes of the Vitis Vinifera, a species of vine known to man for millennia. A number of natural factors are important ...

A look at the main characteristics of the AOC wines of the Aude - a department. With well over a third of its land devoted to vine growing, there are a myriad different types of wine to discover.

A look at the main characteristics of the AOC wines of the Aude - a department of the Languedoc-Roussillon that is not very well known, and yet one that produces an enormous amount of its wine. With well over a third of its land devoted to vine growing there are a myriad different types of wine to discover... "AOC wines of the Aude"

The Hérault and Gard departments of the Languedoc-Roussillon are home to some of its most internationally known wine terroirs such as Saint-Chinian, Pic Saint Loup, Costières de Nimes and Muscat de Lunel.

"wines of Languedoc"It’s summer, so it doesn’t matter what wine you drink as long as it’s pink. The English rediscovered rosé in the long hot summer of 2003, but in the Languedoc it’s been quaffed for years. Wine lovers may scoff at rosé – too simple, too drinkable, not enough taste – but when the temperatures rise, good red is hard to enjoy and even many whites don’t quite hit the spot.

The English rediscovered rosé in the summer of 2003 but in the Languedoc it’s been quaffed for years. Wine lovers may scoff at rosé but when the temperatures rise, good red is hard to enjoy and even many whites don’t quite hit the spot.

For centuries the Languedoc Roussillon region has been famed for its ideal vine growing conditions: today it is one of the most important wine-making areas of France. Its Mediterranean climate and diverse landscape produces wines to suit every palette. We explore Languedoc Roussillon wines, and showcase local vineyards."Languedoc Wine"

Cahors features amongst the oldest vineyards in France, dating back to the Gallo Roman era. Much appreciated by the French from early days, the wines rapidly gained an excellent reputation...

In recent years, the vineyards of South West France have benefited, not only from increased consumer awareness, but also from much improved production techniques. Greater dedication on the part of the growers and significant investment in new equipment has been well supported by the banks...

"Autumn, Château Belingard"You may know that the countryside round Bergerac produces wine, but did you know that there are thirteen appellations contrôlées in the region? Here's a brief guide to them...

The vineyards of Cahors have twenty centuries of history behind them: the Renaissance poet Clement Marot, Pope John XXII, Francois I and Henry IV have all been its ambassadors...

"Languedoc Vineyards, Pic St Loup"Languedoc is the oldest producer of wine in France, and one of the most prolific wine producing regions of the world. Traditionally it has been described as a region that produces table wine, or "vin ordinaire", and the Languedoc has been hit badly by the influx of new world wines onto the world market. However the last 15 years have seen a revolution in wine making techniques and approaches, and one sees more and more innovative and dynamic wine producers moving into the area producing more and more deliciously drinkable wines dedicated to quality. This guide will aid you on your search for the perfect accompanyment to haut cuisine!

An introduction the AOC wines of the Pyrenees-Orientales - the most southerly department of Languedoc-Roussillon, which profits from its glorious climate to produce some of the most complex and interesting wines in the region.

Gently rinse Calamaris and pat dry. Peel and cube onions. Skin, de-seed and cube tomatoes. Gently fry onions in butter...

"What struck me immediately on my first visit to Languedoc was the common nature of olive trees - they grow in gardens, they grow on pavements, they grow in front of supermarkets, they grow in the middle of roundabouts. So, I ask myself, how do they get from tree to table? And can I pick the olives in my own garden?..."

Many people would love to own a property in the beautiful South of France. Most hanker after a little stone cottage; but there are some who are satisfied with nothing less than their own vineyard ...

Mike and Sue Spring came to live in France in 1994 when they bought a small vineyard (Domaine du Garinet) in the village of Le Boulvé of some 200 inhabitants in the département of the Lot. This is their story...

The Annual Cycle of a Cahors Wine Vineyard The cycle of the winegrower’s year starts in the spring with the...

After four years of research, Mike and Sue Spring made the move to France in 1994 and bought a vineyard in the Lot valley near Montcuq. Here they describe the work involved creating a Cahors red wine...

Why black? Principally because it is almost black, just hold a bottle up to the light and you’ll see into its deliciously inky depths. Cahors red wines are reputedly the darkest in the world; they are also some of the strongest and richest and will keep for years...

The Oak Forests of the Limousin are one of five French forests (the others being Allier, Nevers, Trancais and the Vosges), that provide French oak which has traditionally been used ...

[IMAGE-MISSING]As a vegetarian or vegan you might like to try growing some of your own food — or maybe you already do. That’s a great idea, but how do you go about it? ...

The first rounds of France’s parliamentary elections took place on Sunday with the far-right Rassemblement National coming out on top, but what does this mean for foreigners in France? Here are the French news stories you need to know about this week.