Three designations account for the vast majority of French wine labels. They tell you where the wine comes from and what rules were followed in making it—not whether it is good. What does AOP mean? Protected Designation of Origin (AOP) guarantees that a wine comes from a defined area and complies with a precise set of specifications. This document sets out the permitted grape varieties, maximum yields, cultivation and winemaking methods, and sometimes the minimum aging period. Chablis can only be made from Chardonnay grown in the listed municipalities; red...
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Most wines sold today are made to be drunk within two or three years. A minority benefit from waiting. Knowing how to tell the difference saves as much disappointment as missed opportunities. Do all wines improve with age? No, and that is the most costly misconception. The vast majority of wines produced worldwide reach their peak within three years of harvest, then slowly decline. A Provence rosé, a Muscadet, a Beaujolais-Villages, or a Languedoc IGP is made for its fruit: waiting five years does not improve it; it takes away...
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The question comes up every day in the cellar: we have the dish, but we're missing the bottle. Here are the guidelines that work, and those you'd better forget. Is it really red wine with meat and white with fish? No, this is the most widespread and least reliable rule. What matters is not the color of the meat, but the intensity of the dish and how it's prepared. Grilled tuna pairs very well with a light and fresh red, served at around 14°C. Creamy poultry calls for a rich...
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