
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 Ribebon Bordeaux Superieur 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- JS
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Chateau Larose-Trintaudon 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Chateau Lestage 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Listrac, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Bouchard Pere & Fils Nuits-St-Georges Les Cailles Premier Cru 2016Pinot Noir from Burgundy, France
- BH
- WS
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Chateau Clos du Roy 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Fronsac, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
- JD
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M. Chapoutier Ermitage Le Meal Blanc 2016Marsanne from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
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Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JS
- RP
- JD
- WS
- W&S
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Chateau La Bastienne Montagne-St.-Emilion 2016Merlot from Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WW
- RP
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Rouge 2016Rhone Red Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WE
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Chateau La Cardonne 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
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Trimbach Pinot Blanc 2016Pinot Blanc from Alsace, France
- WE
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Barton & Guestier Chateau Magnol Cru Bourgeois 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Haut Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- D
- JS
- WW
- WE
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Chateau Canon 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- JS
- D
- JD
- WS
- CG
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Delas Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- W&S
- WS
- JD
- JS
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Chateau Canon La Gaffeliere 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- V
- WE
- WS
- RP
- JD
- D
- CG
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Chateau Giscours 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Margaux, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WE
- D
- WW
- RP
- JD
- CG
- WS
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Domaine Bernard Moreau St-Aubin Premier Cru En Remilly 2016Chardonnay from St-Aubin, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
- BH
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Domaine de Longue Toque Gigondas 2016Rhone Red Blends from Gigondas, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau la Chandelliere 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Medoc, Bordeaux, France
- JS
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Chateau Durand-Laplagne Les Terres Rouges Puisseguin-St. Emilion 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Bordeaux, France
- RP
- JS
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Chateau L'Evangile 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- D
- JD
- RP
- WS
- WE
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Henri Bourgeois La Bourgeoise Blanc 2016Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- RP
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Domaine de Pallus Chinon Les Pensees de Pallus 2016Cabernet Franc from Chinon, Touraine, Loire, France
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Chateau Lassegue 2016Bordeaux Red Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- W&S
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cornas Les Terres Brulees 2016Syrah/Shiraz from Cornas, Rhone, France
- WE
- WS
- JS