
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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Krug Brut 2006Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- RP
- D
- WS
- JS
- W&S
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Rene Rostaing Cote-Rotie Cuvee Classique 2006Rhone Red Blends from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- D
- RP
- WE
- W&S
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Chateau Pontet-Canet 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WW
- WS
- JS
- WE
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Delas Hermitage Les Bessards 2006Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Chateau Pavie Decesse 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Labegorce 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee Reservee 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Quartz 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Latour 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- D
- WE
- JD
- W&S
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Haut-Bages Liberal 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Ruinart Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs in Gift Box 2006Vintage Sparkling Wine from Champagne, France
- WS
- JS
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Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Chateau Leoville Barton 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- WE
- RP
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Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from St-Julien, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WS
- WE
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M. Chapoutier Hermitage Monier de la Sizeranne 2006Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Mas de Boislauzon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Hosanna 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2006Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- JD
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine 2006Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- W&S
- RP
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Chateau Lafite Rothschild 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from Pauillac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- WE
- WS
- W&S
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Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Rouge 2006Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2006Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- WE
- RP