Long live France! – Independent.ie

It is the Bastille Day today, and I like to think that not only Marie Antoinette suggested to her courtiers that the wretches should use their bread and bake bread, but also consider drinking champagne if their dirty troughs should ever dry out.

July 14th is the day when most French people take their holidays, and as there is a lot of joy for the celebrations of freedom, equality and fraternity, I thought it would be a good day to take a closer look at French wine. Because even though we associate France with wine a lot, when it comes to reading a label, many of us end up raising an eyebrow and pronouncing a "What?" Inspector Clouseau

Detective work is a must. Unlike the clearly labeled bottles of the New World, one of the big problems with French wine is that the grape variety is rarely mentioned on the bottle. The regulations in France are strict and have been developed over the centuries. The wines are classified according to the location of the vineyards, so the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, which is a named demarcated area, appears on the label. This is often abbreviated as AOC or AOP, P for Proteged, EU terminology.

Why put the place on the label rather than on the grape, you can ask? This is because in France, the focus has always been on the terroir, which is not limited to the soil – be it limestone or clay, granite or sand – but also to the weather and the details like the slope and the elevation of the vineyards. If you live in the area, you will know this stuff, but for the rest of us, it means opening a book and taking a little time to study the different names. Which is not very useful when you are confronted with French wines wall to wall.

There are some quick ways to identify French wines that might please you. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, look for Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé or Touraine on wine labels. From the Loire, these wines have all the freshness that you associate with grapes, but the flavors tend to be more herbaceous than the aromas of passion fruit and gooseberry associated with New Zealand. It is also worth admiring the Bordeaux Blancs from Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers and Pessac-Léognan, where Sauvignon Blanc is mixed with Sémillon and aged for a while in oak to give it a broader flavor .

Lovers of Chardonnay Blanc, especially Macon if you like a softer style. Pouilly-Fuissé is one of the most famous appellations of this region. You will also find very good Chardonnays of Limoux in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, very often with the grape variety on the bottle, which is allowed if the wine is classified Vin de France, and not classified by name. And if you like a very crunchy Chardonnay, try a Chablis.

If you like an Australian Shiraz with your grilled steak, look for Northern Rhone wines. Although these tend to be expensive, Bastille Day may be just the excuse to try something different. Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in this region and is at a more affordable level. And you will find many full-bodied red blends from the southern Rhône, Languedoc, Fitou and Corbières.

If you go to France on vacation, the rule is to choose bottles from the region where you are staying. Local supermarkets will be well stocked with local wines and you will have the chance to try bottles that might not be available at home. Health

Grapevine

Always anxious to bring something new to whiskey lovers, the Irish Whiskey Museum hosts a series of distillery pop-ups in its Victorian bar overlooking the Trinity Middle School. The third pop-up of the series sees the Ballyvolane House Spirits Company take Bertha's Revenge Cow Milk to Dublin for a special B & T tasting (Bertha's & Tonic), accompanied by a rhubarb martini summer. On Thursday, July 26, co-founder Antony Jackson will make a presentation on his gin made from whey alcohol sourced from Irish dairy farmers, Ballyvolane House spring water and a mix of 18 local medicinal plants. irishwhiskeymuseum.ie; € 15 per person.

4 wines to try

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Rosé SA, 69.95 €

12,5pc, at O ​​& # 39; Brien & # 39; s, 64 wines, Redmond & # 39; s, Molloys, Mitchell & Son, CHQ, Sandycove, Avoca, Kilmacanogue and Dunboyne; The Caveau, Kilkenny; and Tesco.

200 years ago, Madame Clicquot was the first to create the rosé champagne style we drink today, so what better than to celebrate July 14th? With beautiful red fruit flavors, it is balanced with a salty quality that is touched with brioche.

Exquisite Crémant Collection of the Jura 2015, 12,49 €

12pc, by Aldi

Brilliant value, this 100pc sparkling wine Chardonnay has just won a silver medal at the International Wine and Spirits Challenge. Fresh, with fruity aromas of green apple, lemon and a hint of tangerine, it's a sparkling that will put Prosecco in the shade.

The Little Courtyelle & # 39; The Buddies & # 39; 2016, € 15.50

12.5pc, by Wines Direct

Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah de Bordeaux, this juicy red reveals pure fruit aromas with hints of currant, raspberry and a leafy touch. A good summer wine. Perfect with pizza, roast chicken or cold cuts.

Gerard Bertrand Domaine de Villemajou, € 17.95 reduced from € 20.95

14.5pc, from O & # 39; s

Take it while It is reduced. Full-bodied and full-bodied, this blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir and Syrah comes from Gérard Bertrand's vines in Boutenac, Corbiéres. This organic wine is layered and intense, filled with rich black fruits, with a tasty note of liquorice and a touch of leather.

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