
Cabernet Franc, France
Wine is being produced throughout France and has been done for over 2,500 years with certain Châteaux dating their history back to Roman times, around 6th Century BC. Ranking second in the world in per-capita consumption and first in total production quantity. More-so than the overall quantity of wine is the quantity of truly great wines coming out of France makes the nation the envy of wine-making nations worldwide.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Two concepts pivotal to the higher end French wines, in particular, are the idea of 'terroir' and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the way the geography, geology and climate find their way into the glass, telling a story of the origin of the wine. The AOC was set up in 1935 and has the primary goal of protecting the authenticity of the wines and the livelihoods of the producers. Appellation rules strictly define which varieties of grapes and winemaking practices are approved for classification in each of France's several hundred geographically defined appellations, which can cover entire regions, individual villages or in some cases, like in Burgundy even specific vineyards.
Classic wine regions in France include Champagne (home of Champagne), Burgundy (Pinot Noir and Chardonnay), Bordeaux (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot), Alsace (Aromatic varietals), Loire Valley (Chenin Blanc, Crémant) and the Rhône Valley (Syrah, Grenache Mourvedre)
The Bordeaux classification of 1855 is still in use, as is the Sauternes and Barsac Classification of the same year. Wines from certain regions can be bought En Primeur, which is when the wine is sold prior to it being bottled.
Shop By
- Le Domaine draws its personality from the Baudry family's diverse collection of Chinon terroirs. The Cabernet Franc grapes come from older vines (around 35 years old on average), planted on both the alluvial, gravel soils near the river, as well as ... Learn MoreBernard Baudry Chinon Le Domaine 2017$44.99 Per item
- Château Gloria is an unclassified St-Julien property that produces clarets that equal in quality those from the more prestigious classed growths. Henri Martin, a cooper by upbringing, took over the property in 1942 and began purchasing plots of vineyards from ... Learn MoreChateau Gloria 2019 (En Primeur - Delivery 2022)$84.00 Per itemOut of stock
- "For as long as I’ve known the wines of Chinon, Joguet’s Chêne Vert has been a reference point. Thankfully, it remains so. Winemakers have come and gone since Charles’s heyday, but the terroir has remained a ... Learn MoreCharles Joguet 'Clos Du Chene Vert' Chinon 2011$99.00 Per itemOut of stock
-
Loire Valley, an important wine region in France but we don't see enough of it here in Australia. We believe these wines suit our climate and lifestyle exceptionally well and so we're going to explore this region and the ... Learn More
- Elaborated in Georgian amphora, this Outre Terre cuvée is Thierry Germain's little UFO. With aromas of sweet plum, earthly bramble berries, dried herbs and a sweet raisined blackcurrant note. The palate being spicy, pithy and slightly savoury with sweet ... Learn MoreRoches Neuves Saumur Champigny Outre Terre Amphore 2014$140.00 Per itemOut of stock