French Varietals

[curlygurl419]

I am trying to find the top 10 selling varietals in France, and I cannot find it anywhere. Does anyone know? If so, please help me!

[Innkeeper]

Hi CG, and welcome to the Wine Board. I'm not sure where you are going with your question. Most French wines are blends and not single varieties (varietal). Exceptions are those from Alsace (Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and others), or the every increasing array of table wines from the Languedoc. These repeat the litany of common New World varietal wines: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, etc.

If this is not a help, and I wouldn't be surprised; please follow up.

[curlygurl419]

It was a question asked by one of my teachers in a wine business class. I could not find the answer... so I guess that is why. I have to write about the top 10 types of wine in France then... do you know what those would be? Thank you for your help by the way!

[Innkeeper]

OK, I'll take a stab at it: Champagne, Red Bordeaux, White Bordeaux, Red Burgundy, White Burgundy, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Beaujolais, Sauternes, Cotes-du-Rhone, Hermitage.

[winoweenie]

It was obvious this was a silly question from a teacher who didn't have a clue about France or the varietal labeling laws there. What IK has given you are the various regions in France. In Bordeaux there are 5 principle varietals planted; Cabernet Savignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petite Verdot and every classified growth uses some or all depending on their terrior. The Rhone actually has 8 red varietals that are used in varying amounts along with the same amount of whites that are allowed in the blends. The Champagne region uses basically 3 grape varietals etc, etc. So if your teacher is actually talking about varietals I don't think there's a definative answer If He/She means the 10 areas that produce the most wine then there is a definative answer. WW