
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.
- Chardonnay2006
- Sauvignon Blanc386
- Rhône White Blends253
- Other White Wine176
- Chenin Blanc171
- Bordeaux White Blends163
- Other White Blends124
- Riesling119
- Viognier68
- Gewurztraminer60
- Pinot Gris/Grigio56
- Aligote50
- Melon de Bourgogne47
- Pinot Blanc46
- Picpoul18
- Muscat16
- Marsanne11
- Roussanne4
- Vermentino4
- Semillon3
- Savagnin2
- Jacquere2
- Gruner Veltliner1
- Silvaner1
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- WS
- JS
- RP
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Gerard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
- WE
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Jaboulet Crozes Hermitage Domaine Mule Blanche 2014Rhone White Blends from Crozes-Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
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Jaboulet Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg 2014Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JS
- RP
- WS
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Andre Brunel La Becassonne Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine de Pignan Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
- WE
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Ferraton Pere & Fils Samorens Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Domaine de Mourchon Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Clos du Caillou Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Les Safres 2014Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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Reserve de Bonpas Luberon Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Luberon, Rhone, France
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Michel Gassier Lou Coucardie Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- RP
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Domaine Chaume-Arnaud La Cadene Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France
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Domaine Brunely Vacqueyras Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Vacqueyras, Rhone, France
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Guigal Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Saint-Joseph, Rhone, France
- WS
- RP
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Delas Cote du Rhone St. Esprit Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Chateau de Beaucastel Coudoulet Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Pesquie Quintessence Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
- RP
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Chateau Pesquie Terrasses Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Ventoux, Rhone, France
- WS
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Chateau Mont Redon Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
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Chateau Saint Roch Vieilles Vignes Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Maury, Roussillon, South of France, France
- RP
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M. Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Pierre Henri Morel Luberon Blanc 2014Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Luberon, Rhone, France