
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 Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- W&S
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Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Olivier Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Chateau Bertinerie Premiers Cotes de Blaye Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Saint-Florin Bordeaux Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Paradis Casseuil Bordeaux Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Domaines Barons de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Mouton Cadet Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Marjosse Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Entre-Deux-Mers, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Brondelle Graves 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau de Fieuzal Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- W&S
- RP
- WE
- WS
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Chateau Monbousquet Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Chateau de Reignac Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- W&S
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Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WS
- RP
- W&S
- JD
- WE
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Chateau Pape Clement Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
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Chateau d'Yquem Y 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- WS
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Michel Lynch Sauvignon Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Despagne Chateau Franc-Perat Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Haut Lagrange Pessac Leognan Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
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Terra Burdigala La Vigne d'Argent 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Montdoyen Monbazillac 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Southwest, France
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Chateau Toumilon Graves Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
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Chateau des Chapelains Sainte Foy Bordeaux Prelude Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Chateau Malleprat Pessac-Leognan Blanc 2005Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France