
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.
-
Famille Perrin Reserve Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Mas Carlot VDP d'Oc Clairette de Bellegarde 2009Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
-
Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone La Redonne Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
-
Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais White 2009Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- RP
-
La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from France
-
Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Rhone, France
- RP
-
La Cote Chatillon Condrieu Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Condrieu, Rhone, France
-
Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- W&S
- WS
- RP
-
Cuvee du Vatican Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve Sixtine Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Domaine Pierre Usseglio et Fils Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Cote Jardin Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Clos des Papes Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Clos de Beauvenir 2009Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
-
Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
-
Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
-
Marrenon Luberon Grand Marrenon Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Luberon, Rhone, France
-
Chateau de Clapier Cotes De Luberon Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Luberon, Rhone, France
-
Chateau Capion Coteaux du Languedoc Le Colombier 2009Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
-
Vins de Vienne Cotes du Rhone Les Laurelles Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
-
Domaine Andre Perret Saint-Joseph Blanc 2009Rhone White Blends from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France