One-Day Crash Course: France as a Wine Country
Seminar Format
What It's About
France is undisputed as the "grande nation" of wine. Not only do numerous of the world's most widely planted grape varieties—so-called "international varieties" such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Syrah—originate there, but France is also the source of the foundations of quality classification. Furthermore, the world's most expensive white and red wines still come from France. A look into the wine country: How does France "work"?
Objectives
Participants of the seminar will gain a profound knowledge of France as a wine country, conveyed in a compact, understandable, and accessible manner. The seminar includes both theory and a tasting of the most important French grape varieties and wines.
Content
- What is behind the French term “terroir”? What impact does it have on the individual wine?
- What are the most important French wine regions? What characterizes them? What is behind Sancerre, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Chablis, and Beaujolais? What is the difference between Burgundy and Bordeaux?
- Which are the most important French grape varieties? Why are there single-varietal wines in some regions and cuvées in others?
- Which wines from France can be a meaningful addition to a product range?
- What is the basis of the quality classification? How is it implemented in the individual regions?
- Practical tasting of the most important French grape varieties and origins
- What are the special characteristics of French wines for retail and gastronomy? How can they be sold more effectively?
Target audience
Participants of the seminar will gain a profound knowledge of France as a wine country, conveyed in a compact, understandable, and accessible manner. The seminar includes both theory and a tasting of the most important French grape varieties and wines.