Italian vs French

[cuervogold]

What is the major difference between Italian and French wines?

[sedhead]

I'm sure one of the moderators here is more qualified than me to answer your question but I believe your first step is to go to a local book store and ask for a book on the basics of wine drinking. Welcome aboard.

[Innkeeper]

Hi Cuervogold, and welcome to the Wine Board. With a number of exceptions its the grapes. Close to 100 times more diversity in Italy. Another major difference is the climate. Italy is much warmer meaning varieties that do better in cooler climates don't do so well there and vice versa. French wines for the most part, and that is changing, come from about half a dozen major regions. Partically all of Italy is a wine region. There are prestigious wines from both countries. France has Champagne, Burgundy, and Bordeaux. Italy has Barolo, Barberesco, Brunello, and the Super Tuscans. White Burgundy (made from chardonnay) has no equivelent in Italy. Most New World (all regions outside of Western Europe) wines are made from French grapes. With the exception of barbera, very little success has been achieved outside of Italy with Italian grapes. Everything I have written here will be challenged by somebody.

[winoweenie]

Hi Cuervo and welcome to the board. You need wine 101 as taught by the major educator Roberto at Wine Expo in Santa Monica. If he can't befuddle you beyond anything in your experience you'll have a ball. Look in tyour yeller pages for the number. WW

[Thomas]

Cuervo, ww gives you good advice about Roberto.

Your question is too big for a quick answer--IK gives you the best you'll get in a brief response, except to say that Italians seem to have a closer relationship with wine than any culture, including other Europeans.

[quijote]

Foodie, don't tell the Spanish that their relationship with wine is not as close as the Italians' relationship with wine--you may find yourself with a lot of explaining to do!

[cuervogold]

Yea Foodie,

You have "some splaining" to do [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for your response. I will check him out...

[Innkeeper]

Congratulation Foodie on your 4K post. I know it is harder on the working folks. Happily we are retired.

[winoweenie]

Add mine too there Foodster.WW

[Thomas]

Does anyone here think I might have made that provocative statement about Italians just so I would reach 4K?

Bunch of cynics... [img]http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/eek.gif[/img]

[winedope1]

hmmmm.....