France, Japan
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.
Although Japan has a long history of viticulture and grape cultivation for table consumption, domestic wine production with locally produced grapes is much more recent (late 19th century). Today, more than 200 wineries exist in Japan. The Japanese are producing wines in a range of climates and areas throughout the country, from mountains and valleys to coastal areas, with Japan generally seeing more rainfall and humidity than the major wine-producing areas of Europe. The main winemaking region, which accounts for roughly one-third of domestic production, is in Yamanashi Prefecture. Other regions include Hokkaido, Nagano, and Yamagata. Japan cultivates a wide range of grape varieties; however, most of these are for table consumption, with only a small percentage used in domestic winemaking. Though technically no grapevines are native to Japan, the Koshu white wine grape has evolved locally over the centuries, and many consider it an indigenous variety. Koshu generally boasts citrus aromas, including grapefruit and lemon, light acidity, and lower alcohol. Other varieties include Muscat Bailey A, a red grape; Merlot; Chardonnay; Cabernet; Kerner; and Sauvignon Blanc.
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.
Although Japan has a long history of viticulture and grape cultivation for table consumption, domestic wine production with locally produced grapes is much more recent (late 19th century). Today, more than 200 wineries exist in Japan. The Japanese are producing wines in a range of climates and areas throughout the country, from mountains and valleys to coastal areas, with Japan generally seeing more rainfall and humidity than the major wine-producing areas of Europe. The main winemaking region, which accounts for roughly one-third of domestic production, is in Yamanashi Prefecture. Other regions include Hokkaido, Nagano, and Yamagata. Japan cultivates a wide range of grape varieties; however, most of these are for table consumption, with only a small percentage used in domestic winemaking. Though technically no grapevines are native to Japan, the Koshu white wine grape has evolved locally over the centuries, and many consider it an indigenous variety. Koshu generally boasts citrus aromas, including grapefruit and lemon, light acidity, and lower alcohol. Other varieties include Muscat Bailey A, a red grape; Merlot; Chardonnay; Cabernet; Kerner; and Sauvignon Blanc.
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Sourced from the warm and sunny Vaucluse region of the South of France, renowned for making crisp, delicious rose for a bargain price. Gorgeous pale salmon colour, with an equally pretty nose of strawberries and cream. Exceptionally well made, crisp, ... Learn MoreA L'Ombre Des Parasols Vaucluse Rose 2019$14.99 Per item -
Sourced from the warm and sunny Vaucluse region of the South of France, renowned for making crisp, delicious rose for a bargain price. Gorgeous pale salmon colour, with an equally pretty nose of strawberries and cream. Exceptionally well made, crisp, ... Learn MoreA L'Ombre Des Parasols Vaucluse Rose 2020$17.00 Per item -
The nose displays raspberry and cherry aromas with a hint of fresh herbs. A light-medium bodied palate, with ripe fruit flavours of red currant, cherry and strawberry fruits. Some hints of baking spices and subtle oak in the background. To ... Learn MoreBertaine Et Fils Pinot Noir 2019$17.99 Per item -
Sourced from selected vineyards in the area of Carcassonne & the Minervois where there is a predominance of clay and limestone soils, with grapes picked on flavour and yield. The wines are produced and bottled in association with Celliers Jean d'Alibert. ... Learn MoreVal St Pierre 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Chardonnay 2020$19.99 Per item -
Sourced from selected vineyards in the area of Carcassonne & the Minervois where there is a predominance of clay and limestone soils, with grapes picked on flavour and yield. The wines are produced and bottled in association with Celliers Jean d'Alibert. ... Learn More -
Sourced entirely from a vineyard that borders the esteemed Chateauneuf du Pape region, with identical 'Galet' stone soils. Awarded a Gold Medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Wine Challenge, this is absolutely astounding value for money. A brooding nose of ... Learn More -
Made by the best co-operative producer in France, and imported exclusively by United Cellars. A delicate pretty nose, attractively scented. Notes of red fruits combine with more floral aromas like apple or orange blossom. Fresh and truly delicious with fruit ... Learn MoreLe Versant 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Rose 2020$24.99 Per item -
Maison Veuve Ambal was founded in the heart of Burgundy in 1898 by Veuve Marie Ambal, widow of a Parisian banker. The wines immediately gained recognition, and her grandson Charles Roux Ambal, followed by his grandson and current President Eric Piffaut, ... Learn MoreVeuve Ambal Vin Mousseaux Blanc De Blanc Nv$24.99 Per item -
An amazing French Chardonnay, great value for money, with aromas of white flowers, ripe fruit and a hint of honey. A generous yet well-balanced mouthfeel with fresh stone fruit characters and a hint of oak. Perfect for every day of ... Learn MoreLe Versant 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Chardonnay 2021$25.99 Per item -
Les Vignobles Foncalieu named 'Cooperative Winery of the Year 2012' by the Revue du Vin de France - the biggest magazine in the French wine industry! A strong and aromatic nose of red fruits mixed with liquorice notes. Medium bodied, ... Learn MoreLe Versant 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Pinot Noir 2020$25.99 Per item -
Exclusive to United Cellars - our most popular Syrah! A sumptuous and youthful Syrah from sun-drenched vineyards in the south of France. Aromatic nose with aromas of small mashed red fruits mixed with spicy and smokey hints. Rich and silky ... Learn MoreLe Versant 'Vin De Pays D'Oc' Syrah 2020$26.99 Per item -
WINNER; Gold Medal, Gilbert & Gaillard International Wine Challenge. This zesty, fresh Sauvignon Blanc is produced by one of Touraine’s finest estates, owned and run by the Delaunay family for 5 generations. Joel Delaunay took over in 1965 and began producing estate-bottled ... Learn MoreBlanc de Lys Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2020$26.99 Per item -
Exclusive to United Cellars - our most popular Syrah! A sumptuous and youthful Syrah from sun-drenched vineyards in the south of France. Aromatic nose with aromas of small mashed red fruits mixed with spicy and smokey hints. Rich and silky ... Learn More -
Picpoul de Pinet is located in the Languedoc region in the south of France. It is one of the few regions in France that is named after the grape varietal that is most common there. Grown meters from the oyster ... Learn More -
A blend of 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah carefully selected from the best soils of Côtes de Provence. The nose shows rose petals and spice but also crab-apples and red apples. Some really nice peach character on the palate that’ ... Learn MoreMirabeau Cotes De Provence Rose 2020$28.00 Per item -
Located in Haut-Medoc, Chateau Larrivaux is a wine estate founded in the 16th century. Established on land where nothing existed before, the mansion and vineyard were erected against all odds. The peculiarity of this estate is that it has been ... Learn MoreChateau Larrivaux 2020 (En Primeur - Delivery 2023)$29.40 Per item -
"Meaning Great Mind, Grand Esprit is a nod to the understanding of terroir, or the natural environment in which a great wine is produced. A Grand Esprit wine will always beautifully reflect the harmonious balance between the land it comes ... Learn More -
A brilliant pale gold colour. A fine bouquet full of the aromas of white flowers and yellow fruit (Pear William). One finds citrus notes on breathing (grapefruit). The attack is gentle with a lovely vivacity where one finds agreeable notes ... Learn MoreMarc Bredif Vouvray Classic 2020$29.99 Per item -
One of the most exciting new wines from this rapidly modernising region. Made by Philippe Cambie, former winemaker at Chateau Rayas. Cambie has received 100 point scores fifteen times and was also awarded global winemaker of the year in 2010 by critic ... Learn More -
Purple colour. Intense and clean nose, dominated by black cherry notes, candied black fruit with floral nuances, rose and violet. A rich and lively attack on the palate with very silky tannins, sweet and savoury. Lingering and fresh finish showing ... Learn MoreChateau Lanessan 2020 (En Primeur - Delivery 2023)$34.00 Per item -
The grapes of the Le Clos Martin are carefully sourced and the process of vintification and aging utilizes centuries of knowledge and techniques crafted by the Louis Moreau family who produce wine at the highest of quality standards This fruity ... Learn MorePetit Chablis Aoc "Clos Martin" 2020$34.99 Per item -
Founded in 1570 by the Picoron family, Château Picoron has a long history of wine. Now days, Château Picoron is operated by an Australian family. What we produce is as much a celebration of the history of our winery, ... Learn MoreChateau Petit Picoron Bordeaux 2016$34.99 Per item -
Romaric Chavy has wasted no time in staking a claim as one of Burgundy’s next winemaking stars. Continually making improvements to Chavy-Chouet’s hugely impressive range, this Bourgogne Aligoté offers an opulent, lively, and exotic, style of Aligoté. A ... Learn More -
Château de Lachassagne is an exceptional place, located in the very south of Burgundy, with a unique view over the Saône Valley. It is a 62 hectares propriety, totally surrounded by small walls called ’"Clos". A clean, pure expression ... Learn More -
Sourced from grapes grown from some of the most choice land in the surrounding region of La Motte en Provence, consisting primarily of Grenache, Rolle (Vermentino) and Cinsault. Aromas of peach, white cherry and white raspberry mingle together. The palate ... Learn MoreChateau D'Esclans 'Whispering Angel' Rose 2020$39.90 Per item -
The grapes of the Le Clos Martin are carefully sourced and the process of vintification and aging utilizes centuries of knowledge and techniques crafted by the Louis Moreau family who produce wine at the highest of quality standards. ... Learn MoreClos Martin Chablis A.O.C 2020$39.99 Per item -
The grapes of the Le Clos Martin are carefully sourced and the process of vintification and aging utilizes centuries of knowledge and techniques crafted by the Louis Moreau family who produce wine at the highest of quality standards. ... Learn MoreChablis A.O.C "Clos Martin" 2018$39.99 Per item -
A winery built on the foundations of an exceptional wine estate near Saint – Tropez. The beauty of this wine extends from the bottle to the contents. Layers of raspberry, strawberry jam in the nose invite you to a gorgeous, yet ... Learn MoreUltimate Provence UP Rose 2021$40.00 Per item -
A blend of Grenache 35%, Cinsaut 35%, Syrah 20%, Vermentino 10% Michel Reybier, owner of Bordeaux château Cos d’Estournel purchased this Certified Organic estate that was once a part of Brad and Angelina’s Chateau Miraval Located in Côtes-de-Provence, La Mascaronne’ ... Learn MoreChateau La Mascaronne Provence Rose 2020$44.99 Per item -
This wine is all about balancing elegance, finesse of the aromas and power. A beautiful expression of 2021 in that it is a fresher example but does not compromise on ripeness, structure and power. 60% old vine Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Merlot and 4% Petit ... Learn MoreChateau Malleret 2021 (En Primeur - arrival 2024)$45.00 Per item -
Château D'Agassac is spread over 106 acres between 2 gravelly hilltops and an area of sandy gravel. A blend of 55% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc. Ageing in 50% in new barrels, 43% in stainless steel tanks and 7% in amphora resulting in a wine ... Learn MoreChateau d'Agassac 2021 (En Primeur - arrival 2024)$49.01 Per item -
This 13-hectare vineyard is situated northwest of the town of Saint-Émilion. The vines are an average of 30 years old and are planted to a mix of sand and clay-based soils. Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Corbin opens with seductive ... Learn More -
The wines are aged in an average of 20% new, French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months before bottling. Chateau Ferrande can be enjoyed on the young side with decanting. Young vintages can be decanted for about 1 hour. This allows the wine ... Learn MoreChateau Ferrande Graves Bordeaux 2018$50.00 Per item -
Chavy-Chouet's Pinot Noir is classified as humble Bourgogne Rouge, yet its fruit comes from an excellent single-vineyard site near Pommard. Great value. This well-structured wine with rounded, sophisticated tannins gives instant pleasure but can be kept for up to a ... Learn MoreDomaine Chavy Chouet Bourgogne Rouge La Taupe 2019$50.00 Per item -
Sourced from vines with an average age of 40 years. Matured for 10 months in 10% new French oak. Aroma; immediately pretty and classically white burgundy- red apple, white flowers, nectarine and citrus. Palate; Again very classically white Burgundy- elegantly mineral with some ... Learn More -
Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Fontenil struts out of the glass with confident black plum preserves, black cherries and mulberries scents plus suggestions of underbrush, Indian spices, violets and mossy bark. Full-bodied, rich and decadently fruited, it has a solid, ... Learn More -
Two-thirds merlot, one-third cabernets and 16 months barrel-ageing, 65% new. This is a powerful wine with lots of character. A complex nose of ripe plum, blackberries, wood spice and tobacco. On the palate, a subtle herbaceous note, liquorice and chocolate and lots ... Learn MoreChateau Laroze 2021 (En Primeur - arrival 2024)$52.00 Per item -
This cuvee comes from a blend between some wine from 60 % Maconnais in the area of Lugny and 40% Montagny in the cote Chalonnaise. This two soils give each one something different: The wines from Lugny with the limestone give some freshness ... Learn More -
A beautiful wine that shines on all accounts, the 2018 Château Joanin Bécot is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc from a cooler, limestone terroir in the Castillon region of Bordeaux. Aged in 50% new oak (15% in amphora), it ... Learn MoreChateau Joanin Bécot 2018(Ex Chateau)$53.13 Per item -
A blend of 65% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% of the very rare Carmenere (replanted in Bordeaux from cuttings taken from Chile!). Matured in French oak barrels, 60% of which are new. The nose is bright and vibrant, showing notes of ... Learn MoreChateau Trianon 2021 (En Primeur - arrival 2024)$55.00 Per item
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