
France
Nearly synonymous with fine wine and all things epicurean ...
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 Couronneau Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chartron La Fleur Bordeaux Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Couronneau Superieur Cuvee Pierre de Cartier Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Fonset-Lacour Bordeaux Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Marquis de Chasse Bordeaux Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Barons de Rothschild Res. Speciale Bordeaux Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Ferrande Graves Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Mouton Cadet Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Barton & Guestier Graves 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Barons de Rothschild Legende R 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Michel Lynch Sauvignon Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers (blanc) 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Barons de Rothschild Bordeaux Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Augey White 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Les Charmes-Godard Graves 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Vieux Ch. Gaubert Graves Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Haut Rian Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Montdoyen Monbazillac Cuvee La Part des Anges 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Southwest, France
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Chateau de Landiras Bordeaux Graves Blanc 2001Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France