
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 de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2019Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JS
- D
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Clos Saint-Jean Sanctus Sanctorum (1.5 Liter Magnum) 2019Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Domaine du Vieux Telegraphe Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Crau 2019Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JS
- RP
- V
- JD
- WS
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Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Combe des Fous 2019Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WS
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Chateau La Nerthe Les Cassagnes Cotes du Rhone Villages 2019Rhone Red Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
- RP
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Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine de Thalabert 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- JS
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Chateau Mongravey 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Lafage Bastide Miraflors Vieilles Vignes 2019Rhone Red Blends from Côtes du Roussillon, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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Mongeard-Mugneret Clos Vougeot Grand Cru 2019Pinot Noir from Flagey-Echezeaux, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau d'Esclans Garrus Rose 2019Rosé from Cotes de Provence, Provence, South of France, France
- D
- JS
- RP
- WS
- WE
- W&S
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Faiveley Mercurey La Framboisiere Monopole 2019Pinot Noir from Mercurey, Cote Chalonnaise, Burgundy, France
- RP
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Chateau de la Chaize Brouilly 2019Gamay from Beaujolais, Burgundy, France
- RP
- JS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cote Rotie 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Cote Rotie, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
- W&S
- JD
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Jaboulet Hermitage La Maison Bleue 2019Syrah/Shiraz from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- JS
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Domaine Louis Michel et Fils Chablis Montmain Premier Cru 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
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Louis Jadot Domaine des Heritiers Corton Pougets Grand Cru 2019Pinot Noir from Aloxe-Corton, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- BH
- V
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Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Rouge 2019Rhone Red Blends from Rhone, France
- JD
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 2019Pinot Noir from Chambolle-Musigny, Cote de Nuits, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JM
- WS
- BH
- RP
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Thierry Germain Saumur Champigny Franc de Pied 2019Cabernet Franc from Saumur, Loire, France
- RP
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Louis Jadot Beaune Greves Premier Cru 2019Pinot Noir from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- BH
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Gerard Bertrand Domaine de L'Aigle Pinot Noir 2019Pinot Noir from Limoux, Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Chateau La Reverence Grand Cru 2019Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- RP
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Domaine Louis Michel et Fils Chablis 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS