
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 Palmer 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- W&S
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- D
- W&S
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Chateau Latour 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Margaux 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Cheval Blanc 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- JD
- D
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
- JD
- RP
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Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Barton 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
- RP
- W&S
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Guigal Cote Rotie Brune et Blonde 1998Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Angelus 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- W&S
- WS
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Vieux Chateau Certan 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Chateau Pavie Decesse 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Caves des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape - Les Closiers (bin soiled label) 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Haut-Brion (stained labels) 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Andre Brunel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Cailloux Centenaire 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill 1998Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- CG
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Clinet 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot 1998Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France
- WS
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Chateau Clos St. Martin 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Grand Mayne 1998Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Bosquet des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Tradition 1998Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS