French Wine For Dummies

“Whether you are an avid collector or wine novice, this book offers an extensive resource in an accessible format.”
—Charlie Trotter, Acclaimed Chef and Award-Winning Author
“This book is an invitation to discover the bountiful wine regions, each different from one another, and is an homage to the beauty and uniqueness of the delicious wines they produced.”
—Georges Duboeuf, Les Vins Georges Duboeuf
“The diversity of French wine is one of its attractions, but it can seem perplexing...until you pick up this marvelous guide. The route is well -marked, easy-to-follow, and the destinations are delicious.”
—Kermit Lynch, Wine Merchant and author, Adventures on the Wine Route
“...Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan lead us by the hand down the road of adventure to discover the wines of France that they know so well.... In their relaxed, wise, and mischievous way, they show us the joy and pleasure of drinking French wine.”
—Prince Alain de Polignac, Winemaker, Champagne Pommery
You no longer need to be confused or intimidated by French wine. Authored by certified wine educators and authors Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan, French Wine For Dummies introduces you to the delicious world of fine French wine. Among other things, you’ll discover how to:
Translate wine labels
Identify great wine bargains
Develop your own wine tastes
Match French wines with foods
Here’s everything you need to know to sip and savor the best—and the best-value—Bordeaux, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Alsace, and other delicious wines. This lighthearted and informative guide covers:
The story of French wine and how it came to dominate the wine world
How the French name and label their wines and why
France’s most important wine regions—including a region-by-region survey of the best vineyards and their products
France’s other wine regions, including Champagne, Alsace, the Loire Valley, and others
So pour yourself a big glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, sit back, and enjoy the ride as Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan take you on an intoxicating journey through the wonderful world of French wine.

Ed McCarthy and Mary Ewing-Mulligan co-authored the bestselling Wine For Dummies. Ed also wrote Champagne For Dummies. Mary, the only woman Master of Wine in the U.S., owns International Wine Center, a New York wine school.

Introduction.

PART I: Why France Is the Home of Great Wines.

Chapter 1: France, Superstar.

Chapter 2: French Wine Today.

Chapter 3: Wine Laws and Labels.

PART II: France's High-Profile Wine Regions.

Chapter 4: Elite Red Wines of Bordeaux.

Chapter 5: Red Bordeaux on a Budget.

Chapter 6: White Bordeaux -- Dry or Sweet, and Delectable.

Chapter 7: Burgundy -- Queen of France.

Chapter 8: Beaujolais, The Fun Red.

Chapter 9: Robust Rhone Reds and Unique Whites.

PART III: France's Other Wine Regions.

Chapter 10: Champagne: The World's Greatest Sparkling Wine.

Chapter 11: Alsace: White Wine Wonderland.

Chapter 12: The Loire Valley's Hidden Gems.

Chapter 13: The South of France.

Chapter 14: Other French Wine Regions.

PART IV: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 15: Answers to Ten Common Questions about French Wines.

Chapter 16: Ten French Wine Myths Exposed.

PART V: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Pronunciation Guide to French Wine Terms.

Appendix B: Bordeaux and Burgundy Classifications.

Appendix C: French Wine Vintage Chart: 1979 to 1998.

Index.