
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.
-
Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
-
Chateau Guiraud Sauternes 2003Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
-
Chateau Margaux (scuffed label) 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
-
Chateau Sociando-Mallet 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Branaire-Ducru 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
-
Delas Hermitage Les Bessards 2003Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Latour 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
-
Chateau Montrose 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
-
Chateau Calon-Segur (bin soiled labels) 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
- JS
-
Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WE
- WS
-
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
- JD
-
Chateau Pavie 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Cos d'Estournel 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- RP
- WS
-
Louis Jadot Clos Vougeot 2003Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Pontet-Canet (scuffed labels) 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- JS
- WE
-
Chateau Monbousquet 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2003Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
-
Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet (Torn Label) 2003Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- JS
- WE
- W&S
-
Chateau Haut-Brion 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- WE
- RP
-
Chateau Talbot 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
-
Chateau Cheval Blanc 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- WE
- RP
-
Chateau Petrus 2003Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
-
Vincent Girardin Pommard Chalins V.V. 2003Pinot Noir from Pommard, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WS