Do you know the history of French grapes through wine making?
- It starts in the antiquity with very limited means
- until today where we use very modern means such as organic and biodynamic agriculture.
- the English word ‘grapes’ in French?
- everything about French wine?
- the different red and white grape varieties used to make French wine?
- the French translations for ‘grape juice’ and ‘seedless grapes’?
…mmm… I’m not sure, it’s a big subject!
So, have a look at this article and you'll learn the RICH history of grapes and French wine. After each big part, there is a 'To remember' section, take the time to read it to remember well. And don't forget to do the exercise to improve your French!
I'm Thomas Ricomard, I send content to learn and improve French every week to the +5000 members of the Fast French learning blog.
Introduction to French grapes
Une grappe de raisin (A cluster of grapes)
Un jus de raisin (A grape juice)
Des raisins sans pépins (Seedless grapes)
To share with others.
Une grappe de raisin (A cluster of grapes)
Un jus de raisin (A grape juice)
Des raisins sans pépins (Seedless grapes)
Here is a brief history of viticulture in France:
The Romans are largely responsible for the expansion of viticulture in France, in various regions. They knew advanced cultivation methods. They classified vineyards according to their quality.
Christian monks preserved and developed winegrowing knowledge. Vineyards were often associated with monasteries.
This was a prosperous period for the art of winemaking. Cultivation and vinification techniques evolved. The nobility produced more wine.
The 17th century → the rise of Bordeaux wines.
The 18th century → the classification of Bourgogne wines by the nobility.
The wine trade developed through international trade.
There was an epidemic of phylloxera, a parasite that devastated vineyards. Part of the French viticultural landscape died. On the positive side, this led to innovations in grafting and disease resistance.
In the 20th century, regulations were introduced to protect the appellations d’origine contrôlée (AOC) and guarantee the quality of French wines. Wine-growing regions such as Champagne, Bourgogne and the Vallée du Rhône became world-famous.
Do you know the wine terms in French?
Wine is water filled with sunshine.
Famous French quote
French translation: Le vin est de l’eau emplie de soleil.
Types of grapes grown in French vineyards
To share with others.
Red grape varieties
The French translation is Les variétés de raisins rouges.
The Bordeaux region is located in south-west France. It is renowned for its complex, elegant red wines.
Main grape varieties: Pinot noir, Gamay.
Bourgogne is renowned for its delicate, fine red wines.
Main grape varieties: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre.
It is renowned for its robust, spicy red wines.
Main grape varieties: Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Cinsault.
It is renowned for its wines rich in aroma and flavor.
Main grape varieties: Carignan, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre.
It is located in the south of France, where most of France’s wine is produced.
Many of these wines are characterized by their fruity character.
White grape varieties
The translation in French is Les variétés de raisins blancs.
Alsace vineyards benefit from a continental climate that favors the ripening of white grapes. Soils such as granite, limestone and schist add many aromas to the wines.
White grape varieties: Chardonnay, Aligoté.
Bourgogne offers a variety of terroirs. For example, the vineyards of Chablis have limestone soils.
White grape varieties: Sauvignon blanc, Chenin blanc, Muscadet.
The Loire valley has a variety of terroirs: limestone soils and schist soils.
White grape varieties: Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon.
Bordeaux produces both red and white wines. The variety of soils (gravel, clay and limestone) offer a diversity of styles, from fresh and fruity to rich and multi-faceted.
White grape varieties: Chardonnay.
Champagne vineyards are located on limestone soils, which contribute to the finesse and elegance of the region’s wines.
White grape varieties: Rolle, Ugni blanc, Clairette.
Provence produces refreshing white wines. The limestone and clay soils produce white wines with fine aromas and a slight acidity.
Most wines are made from seeded grapes, because the seeds contribute to the wine's aromatic and tannic characteristics. However, there are wines called 'vin de table' or 'vin de dessert' which can be made from seedless grapes.
- Vins de table légers
- Vins doux
- Vins pétillants
Do you know how to 'drink in French'?
If you want to invite your friends to celebrate, can you tell 'when is your birthday' in French?
White grape varieties
May the sun be clear and beautiful, and we will have more wine than water.
Famous French quote
French translation: Que le soleil soit clair et beau, nous aurons du vin plus que d’eau.
The role of grapes in French wine production
Winemaking process
- Grape harvest The first step is the harvest: picking the grapes. For the wine to be of the highest quality, the grapes must be perfectly ripe.
- Destemming and crushing
The grapes are destemmed to recover the berries. The juice is then extracted by crushing. - Maceration and fermentation
During maceration, tannic and aromatic compounds are extracted. Fermentation then transforms the sugar into alcohol, producing the wine. Yeast is added. - Wine pressing
For white wines, pressing separates the juice from the skins and seeds after maceration. For red wines, pressing takes place after fermentation. - Wine aging
Wines are aged in oak barrels, stainless steel tanks or other types of container. The wine develops aromas and flavors according to the choice of container. - Blending stage
It’s a very important stage, and an art. In France, many wines are blends of different grape varieties. For example: Merlot, Cabernet sauvignon and Cabernet franc are blended together. - Clarification and filtration
At this stage, the wine is clarified to remove impurities. A more modern method is filtration. - Bottle filling
The final step is to bottle the wine. Some wines are aged in the bottle before being marketed, while others are consumed younger.
Sun is needed to make good grapes, have a look at the summer in French article.
'Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC)' system
The Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) (in French words) system in France is a legal framework designed to guarantee the authenticity and quality of wines made in specific geographical areas.
It was set up to protect appellations:
- geographical origin
- authorized grape varieties
- winemaking methods
- labeling rules
- controls and certifications
You might be interested as well by how to say 'how much' in French to ask for the price of a bottle!
Watch this video to learn more about French wine!
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Watch this one to learn how wine is made in Bordeaux!
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- Grape harvest
- Destemming and crushing
- Maceration and fermentation
- Wine pressing
- Wine aging
- Blending stage
- Clarification and filtration
- Bottle filling
The cultural significance of grapes in France
Culinary uses of grapes
Here are notable French dishes you can do with a bunch of grapes (une grappe de raisins) or bunches of grapes (des grappes de raisins):
Do you know how to cook 'in French'?
French festivals and traditions involving grapes
Grapes are a symbol of fertility, conviviality and tradition. Even today, grapes play an important role in French celebrations:
I’ll correct your French if necessary.
The future of French grape cultivation
Innovation in viticulture
Climate change is forcing winegrowers to innovate. Climate has a significant impact on grape varieties and wine production.
Here are a few innovations:
The areas of research are:
- developing new grape varieties resistant to changes in water quantity (rain) and disease
- understanding the effects of climate change on the chemical composition of grapes and wines
Promoting biodiversity and heritage
The wine industry in France attaches great importance to the promotion of biodiversity and the enhancement of wine heritage.
It does it through:
- Adapting grape varieties
- Vineyard management technologies
- Winemaking practices
- Water management
- Research and development
- Organic and biodynamic agriculture
- Conservation of ancient grape varieties
- Creation of parks and wine trails
- Restoration of cellars and castles
- Educational programs on the land
- Quality and origin labels
FAQ
What is the French translation of 'grapes'?
Raisins is the French translation of 'grapes'.
What are the most common varieties of grapes grown in France?
The most common varieties of grapes grown in France are:
- Merlot
- Cabernet sauvignon
- Chardonnay
- Pinot noir
- Gamay
- Malbec
Are there any famous regions in France known for their grapes?
Here are examples of famous regions in France known for their grapes:
- Bordeaux
- Bourgogne
- Champagne
- Vallée du Rhône
- Vallée de la Loire
- Alsace
- Provence
- Languedoc-Roussillon
- Beaujolais
Thank you for reading it. You deserve a good grape juice, with a grape with seeds or with a seedless grapes!
Any questions or comments, feel free to write them below and I’ll get back to you.
Thomas, your teacher 🙂
Resources
Thomas Ricomard specializes in teaching French as a foreign language. He has been providing private lessons since 2015, both in-person and online (via Skype). He taught at the Popular University of the Canton of Geneva (Switzerland) from 2015 to 2018, instructing several groups of 20 students from around the world (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mexico, etc.), ranging from beginner to intermediate levels (A1 to B2). With a Master’s degree in clinical and cognitive psychology from the University of Geneva, his knowledge of psychology allows him to tailor his teaching methods for optimal learning, taking into account factors such as visual memory versus auditory memory. He expresses his passion for the French language through writing texts, including poetry and songs, which he presents publicly at numerous music and slam events.