French Wine and Map of French Wine Regions
Now, not only the
great wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, which age exceptionally
well are imported, but the amateur may choose between a great
many other French wines which age only moderately well or are
better when young.
Back home, it used to be with nostalgia that
the tourist remembered the wonderful wines he had tasted while
he was in France. Nowadays. all the better French wines are
imported and delightful sensations may be recaptured or
discovered at the dinner table at home and in restaurants
throughout the world.
As our taste for
fine cuisine develops, our appreciation of fine wine increases.
As our standard of living reaches higher levels. what was at one
time the privilege of a few discriminating and wealthy
connoisseurs is becoming a source of enjoyment for all.
Wines imported from
France are no longer reserved for the wealthier group. They may
be purchased everywhere at reasonable prices and are one of the
less expensive luxuries. French wine lends an aura of glamour
and sophistication to a fine meal and enhances the flavor of
good food.
Speaking about
French wine, Hemingway wrote in "Death In The Afternoon"
(Scribner) ,
"Wine is one
of
 the
most civilized things in the world and one of the natural things
of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection,
and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation
than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be
purchased.
One can learn about
wines and pursue the education all of a lifetime, the palate
becoming more educated and capable of appreciation and you
having constantly increasing enjoyment and appreciation of
wine".
If one dared to add
anything at all to a sentence written by a great writer, the
words: "and appreciation of food" should be added. Good wine is
good in itself. A light French wine is a delightful aperitif.
With soda water
(with or without fruit) it makes refreshing coolers and superb
bowls or punch. Champagne, and other sparkling wines are, of
course often drunk for themselves, without any accompaniment of
food.
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