
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 Cos d'Estournel 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- JD
- WS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
- D
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Chateau Pontet-Canet 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
- CG
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau d'Yquem Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 2005Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- WE
- RP
- JS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- W&S
- JS
- WS
- RP
- CG
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Chateau Montrose 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- JD
- WS
- W&S
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Chateau Pichon-Longueville Baron 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- CG
- W&S
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Chateau d'Issan 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Destieux 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Palmer 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WE
- W&S
- WS
- JS
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Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape (stained label) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Les Forts de Latour 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
- W&S
- RP
- WE
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Chateau La Gaffeliere 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- WE
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Saint-Pierre 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- D
- RP
- WE
- WS
- JS
- W&S
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Chateau Fleur Cardinale 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Boyd-Cantenac 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Guiraud Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 2005Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
- WE
- W&S
- CG
- RP
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Chateau Rieussec Sauternes (375ML half-bottle) 2005Other Dessert from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Dom Perignon Vintage 2005Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- JS
- WE
- WS
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Chateau Caronne Ste Gemme Haut-Medoc 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Chateau Figeac 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- WS
- W&S
- CG
- RP
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Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-du-Pape (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2005Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2005Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- JS
- WW
- WE