
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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Vincent Girardin Chassagne-Montrachet Blanchots-Dessus Premier Cru 2019Chardonnay from Chassagne-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- D
- RP
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Billaud-Simon Chablis Vaudesir Grand Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- WE
- V
- BH
- RP
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Chateau Olivier Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2020Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS
- RP
- D
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Sec 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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William Fevre Chablis Vaillons Premier Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- V
- RP
- BH
- JS
- WS
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Louis Jadot Beaune Greves Le Clos Blanc Premier Cru 2019Chardonnay from Beaune, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WE
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Louis Michel et Fils Chablis Montmain Premier Cru 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Clos du Bourg Demi-Sec 2020Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau Lespault-Martillac Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2020Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS
- V
- RP
- D
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Gerard Bertrand Cigalus Blanc 2018Rhone White Blends from Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
- WW
- WS
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Louis Jadot Ladoix Le Clou d'Orge Blanc 2019Chardonnay from Ladoix-Serrigny, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- RP
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Sec Le Haut Lieu 2019Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Moelleux Premier Trie Clos du Bourg 2018Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- RP
- WS
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Michel Gassier Lou Coucardie Blanc 2016Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- JD
- RP
- WE
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William Fevre Chablis Vaulorent Premier Cru 2015Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- D
- RP
- WS
- BH
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Domaine Louis Michel et Fils Chablis 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
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Gerard Bertrand Domaine de L'Aigle Chardonnay 2019Chardonnay from Limoux, Languedoc, South of France, France
- RP
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Vincent Dauvissat Chablis Vaillons Premier Cru 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- JM
- RP
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Domaine des Malandes Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- RP
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Bouchard Pere & Fils Meursault Genevrieres Premier Cru 2018Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JM
- JS
- WS
- RP
- WW
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William Fevre Chablis Vaudesir Grand Cru 2019Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- JM
- RP
- JS
- BH
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William Fevre Chablis Bougros Grand Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- JS
- RP
- BH
- WS
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William Fevre Chablis Vaulorent Premier Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- D
- RP
- BH
- JS
- WS
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Jaboulet Hermitage Blanc Le Chevalier de Sterimberg 2019Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- JS
- RP
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William Fevre Chablis Montee de Tonnerre Premier Cru 2018Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- BH
- RP
- JS
- D
- WS