
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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Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Les Clous 2017Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WW
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Guigal Crozes Hermitage 2017Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- W&S
- JS
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Chateau Sansonnet 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- WS
- JD
- D
- WE
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Domaine Jean Grivot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Flagey-Echezeaux, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- D
- WS
- BH
- RP
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Domaine Jean Grivot Vosne-Romanee Les Beaux Monts Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- D
- RP
- BH
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Vieux Chateau Certan 2017Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- RP
- WS
- JD
- TA
- WE
- D
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Chateau Fortia Cuvee du Baron Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
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Clos St. Antonin Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
- WS
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Bila-Haut by Michel Chapoutier Cotes du Roussillon Villages 2017Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon-Villages, Roussillon, South of France, France
- JD
- RP
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Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-St-Georges Ronciere Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Nuits-St-Georges, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- BH
- D
- RP
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Chapelle St. Theodoric Chateauneuf-du-Pape Le Grand Pin 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Bouchard Pere & Fils Beaune Greves Premier Cru Vigne de l'Enfant Jesus 2017Pinot Noir from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WE
- BH
- RP
- JS
- W&S
- WS
- WW
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Pierre Gelin Fixin Les Hervelets Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Fixin, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
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Domaine de la Charbonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- JS
- JD
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Domaine Antoine Jobard St-Aubin Sur le Sentier du Clou Premier Cru 2017Chardonnay from St-Aubin, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- BH
- RP
- WS
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Domaine de Saje Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Domaine St. Damien Gigondas La Louisiane 2017Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Chambolle-Musigny, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- JS
- BH
- WS
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Xavier Monnot Beaune Les Cent Vignes Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- W&S
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Delas Chateauneuf-du-Pape Haute Pierre 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine du Gour de Chaule Gigondas Cuvee Tradition 2017Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- RP
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Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanee Les Petits Monts Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Vosne-Romanee, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- D
- RP
- BH
- JS
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Domaine Meo-Camuzet Nuits-St-Georges Aux Murgers Premier Cru 2017Pinot Noir from Nuits-St-Georges, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- BH
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Clos Saint-Jean Sanctus Sanctorum (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Clos Saint-Jean Vieilles Vignes Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2017Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP