
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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Reserve de Bonpas Luberon Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Rhone, France
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Guigal Ermitage Ex Voto Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Michel Gassier Lou Coucardie Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Domaine de la Petite Cassagne Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- WE
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La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from France
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Gerard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Rhone, France
- D
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Louis Bernard Cotes du Rhone Chateau Noel St. Laurent Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais White 2012Rhone White Blends from Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine Chaume-Arnaud La Cadene Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Cote des Roses Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
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Vidal-Fleury Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Miraval Coteaux Varois Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Provence, South of France, France
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Arnoux et Fils Vacqueyras Vieux Clocher Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
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Courbis Saint-Joseph Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
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Clos de l'Oratoire des Papes Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- WS
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Domaine de Cristia Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Clos Saint-Jean Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Pesquie Quintessence Blanc 2012Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
- RP