
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 Malartic-Lagraviere Blanc 2007Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- RP
- D
- WE
- WS
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Lucien Albrecht Reserve Pinot Gris Romanus 2007Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alsace, France
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Chateau Marjosse Blanc 2007Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Barton & Guestier Vouvray 2007Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
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La Vieille Ferme Blanc 2007Rhone White Blends from France
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Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Gris 2007Pinot Gris/Grigio from Alsace, France
- W&S
- WS
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Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Charmes 2007Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- BH
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Domaines Barons de Rothschild Reserve Speciale Bordeaux Blanc 2007Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Verget Saint-Veran Clos de Poncetys 2007Chardonnay from St-Veran, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- BH
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Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault 2007Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- BH
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Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Riesling 2007Riesling from Alsace, France
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Jacques Puffeney Vin Jaune 2007Other White Wine from France
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Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre 2007Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- BH
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Olivier Leflaive Bourgogne Blanc Les Setilles 2007Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
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Domaine Reine Juliette Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Languedoc 2007Picpoul from Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc, South of France, France
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Chateau de Parenchere Bordeaux Superieur Blanc 2007Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone La Redonne Blanc 2007Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Trimbach Cuvee Frederic Emile Riesling 2007Riesling from Alsace, France
- JS
- WE
- WS
- RP
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Chateau de Chantegrive Graves Blanc 2007Bordeaux White Blends from Graves, Bordeaux, France
- WE
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Louis Metaireau Muscadet Black Label Sur Lie 2007Melon de Bourgogne from Pays Nantais, Loire, France
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Jean-Luc Colombo Cotes du Rhone Les Abeilles Blanc 2007Rhone White Blends from Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France
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Hugel Pinot Blanc Cuvee Les Amours 2007Other White Blends from Alsace, France
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Domaines Schlumberger Kessler Grand Cru Riesling 2007Riesling from Alsace, France
- WE
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Sauvion Sevre Et Maine Muscadet 2007Melon de Bourgogne from Pays Nantais, Loire, France
- W&S
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Domaine Matrot Meursault 2007Chardonnay from Burgundy, France
- WS