
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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Domaine Comte Georges de Vogue Musigny Vieilles Vignes 1999Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France
- V
- BH
- WS
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Haut-Brion (stained label) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Palmer 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Pavie 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Guigal Chateau D'Ampuis Cote Rotie 1999Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil (in Gift Box) 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- W&S
- WW
- RP
- WS
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Chateau d'Armailhac 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Ausone 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee des Cadettes 1999Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Guigal La Landonne Cote Rotie 1999Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Dom Perignon Vintage 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- RP
- W&S
- WS
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Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque Glass Set 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
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Perrier-Jouet Belle Epoque 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
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Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d'Or Grand Cuvee 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- W&S
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Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut 1999Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WE
- WS
- W&S
- RP
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Chateau de Beaucastel Hommage Jacques Perrin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1999Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
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Tardieu-Laurent Cote Rotie 1999Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 1999Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Monbousquet (375ml half bottle) 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 1999Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Monbousquet 1999Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS