
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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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- D
- JD
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Haut-Brion (scuffed labels) 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Margaux (stained labels) 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Cheval Blanc 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Poyferre 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild (wrinkled labels) 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Clerc Milon 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Rauzan-Segla 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases (bin soiled labels) 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Calon-Segur 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Dom Perignon Vintage with Gift Box 1995Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Charles Heidsieck Blanc des Millenaires Brut in Gift Box 1995Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- D
- RP
- WE
- JS
- W&S
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Dom Perignon Vintage 1995Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- WE
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Chateau Angelus 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Petrus 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Suduiraut Sauternes (stained label) 1995Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Barton 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Branaire-Ducru 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Krug Brut 1995Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1995Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 1995Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Pontet-Canet 1995Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP