
France
Nearly synonymous with fine wine and all things epicurean ...
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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Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2016Chardonnay from Aloxe-Corton, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- JS
- WS
- D
- BH
- RP
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2015Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- JD
- V
- RP
- WS
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Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche Grand Cru 2015Chardonnay from Puligny-Montrachet, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WS
- BH
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Henri Bourgeois Sancerre La Cote des Monts Damnes 2017Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- WS
- WE
- D
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Domaine Huet Vouvray Le Mont Demi-Sec 2018Chenin Blanc from Touraine, Loire, France
- WS
- RP
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Jean-Louis Chave Hermitage Blanc 2013Rhone White Blends from Hermitage, Rhone, France
- RP
- WS
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Chateau de Saint Cosme Condrieu 2017Viognier from Condrieu, Rhone, France
- WS
- JD
- JS
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Chateau Lynch-Bages Blanc de Lynch-Bages (Futures Pre-Sale) 2018Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
- D
- WS
- JS
- JD
- RP
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Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse Les Menetrieres Cuvee Hors Classe 2017Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuisse, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- RP
- WS
- BH
- WE
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Clos des Lunes Lune d'Argent 2016Bordeaux White Blends from Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- D
- WS
- JD
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Chateau La Nerthe Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc 2017Rhone White Blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France
- JS
- WE
- JD
- W&S
- TP
- WS
- RP
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Vincent Girardin Meursault Les Narvaux 2016Chardonnay from Meursault, Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WS
- W&S
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Michel Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais White 2017Rhone White Blends from Costieres de Nimes, Rhone, France
- RP
- JD
- WS
- WE
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Sauvion Vouvray 2018Chenin Blanc from Vouvray, Touraine, Loire, France
- WS
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Chateau Pape Clement Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2018Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- JS
- WS
- WE
- JD
- RP
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Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuisse 2017Chardonnay from Pouilly-Fuisse, Maconnais, Burgundy, France
- WW
- D
- WS
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Albert Bichot Chablis Les Vaucopins Domaine Long-Depaquit Premier Cru 2017Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- JS
- WS
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M. Chapoutier La Combe Pilate 2016Viognier from Rhone, France
- JD
- WS
- WW
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Domaine Vincent Dampt Chablis Cote de Lechet Premier Cru 2017Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- W&S
- WS
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Chateau Guiraud G Bordeaux Blanc 2016Bordeaux White Blends from Bordeaux, France
- WS
- JS
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Domaine Louis Moreau Chablis Les Clos Grand Cru 2016Chardonnay from Chablis, Burgundy, France
- W&S
- RP
- WS
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Chateau LaTour-Martillac Blanc 2015Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- JS
- JD
- WS
- RP
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Chateau Carbonnieux Blanc (Futures Pre-Sale) 2017Bordeaux White Blends from Pessac-Leognan, Bordeaux, France
- WE
- D
- TA
- WS
- JS
- JD
- RP
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Henri Bourgeois La Bourgeoise Blanc 2015Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre, Loire, France
- WS
- WE
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Louis Jadot Corton-Charlemagne 2014Chardonnay from Cote de Beaune, Cote d'Or, Burgundy, France
- WS
- JS