
French Wine
Learn about French wine, common tasting notes, where the region is and more ...
Nearly synonymous with fine wine and all things epicurean, France has a culture of wine production and consumption that is deeply rooted in tradition. Many of the world’s most beloved grape varieties originated here, as did the concept of “terroir”—soil type, elevation, slope and mesoclimate combine to produce resulting wines that convey a sense of place. Accordingly, most French wine is labeled by geographical location, rather than grape variety. So a general understaning of which grapes correspond to which regions can be helpful in navigating all of the types of French wine. Some of the greatest wine regions in the world are here, including Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Rhône and Champagne, but each part of the country has its own specialties and strengths.
Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the king and queen of Burgundy, producing elegant red and white wines with great acidity, the finest examples of which can age for decades. The same two grapes, along with Pinot Meunier, are used to make Champagne.
Of comparable renown is Bordeaux, focused on bold, structured red blends of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc including sometimes a small amount of Petit Verdot or Malbec. The primary white varieties of Bordeaux are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.
The northern Rhône Valley is responsible for single-varietal Syrah, while the south specializes in Grenache blends; Rhône's main white variety is Viognier.
Most of these grape varieties are planted throughout the country and beyond, extending their influence into other parts of Europe and New World appellations.
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Krug Brut 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- D
- W&S
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Chateau Margaux 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- JS
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Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes 1988Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Latour 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Krug Clos du Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- WE
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild (top shoulder) 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
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Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 1988Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Veuve Clicquot Rare Vintage 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
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Veuve Clicquot Rare Vintage in Cellar Box 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WE
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Rabaud Promis Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 1988Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild (5 Liter Bottle) 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Dom Perignon Rose 1988Rosé Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild (5 Liter Bottle) 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1988Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Carruades de Lafite 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Vieux Chateau Certan 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild (3 Liter Bottle) 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Krug Brut (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1988Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- W&S
- WE
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Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Petrus (1.5 Liter Magnum) 1988Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS