Pinot Noir, France
Pinot Noir is a red grape that is one of the most challenging to grow in any part of the world. Due to its thin skin and tight bunches, it is susceptible to both mould and disease. However, when it is successful, it produces some of the most amazing wines in the world. Although its home is Burgundy, it has emerged as a popular variety in Australia. Representing only 1% of grapes crushed, it has built a high profile with a number of world-class, distinctly Australian wines being produced. The greatest examples coming from the cool climates of the Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong and the Yarra Valley.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
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.
Pinot Noir performs well on the deepish limestone based subsoils that are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or. However, yields need to be kept in check. Pinot Noir's concentration and varietal characters disappear rapidly if yields are excessive. Some of the best and most expensive wines in the world are still found in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir also plays a key role in Champagne, being blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. In the US, Oregon and Washington state are producing outstanding wines. In New Zealand, great Pinot Noirs are crafted in Martinborough and in Central Otago, New Zealand's only true continental climate.
The thin skins of Pinot Noir mean the wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However, the best wines have grippy tannins, fragrance and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, but as it matures, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouthfeel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey nuances emerging.
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.
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Le Chat Noir is a range of modern French wines created by Vincent Charleux. Aromas of strawberries, blackberries and spiced plums, with a hint of dried roses. The palate is light-medium bodied, with bright red berries, a touch of savouriness, ... Learn MoreLe Chat Noir Pinot Noir 2018$17.00 Per itemOut of stock -
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 itemOut of stock -
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 2018$17.99 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 2017$17.99 Per itemOut of stock -
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 2019$24.99 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 2018$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Very elegant organic Pinot Noir in the Burgundian style. Red fruits meet pretty rose aromas and hints of earthy spices. Full of freshness, elegance & finesse, this wine is long, balanced and exhibits real Pinot Noir typicity - red cherry fruit ... Learn MoreDomaine De La Metairie Pinot Noir 2017$26.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Very pale in colour with a mineral nose featuring aromas of flint, red fruit (blackcurrant, pomegranate), rose petal and grapefruit. Lively and fresh on the palate with a fruity finish and a refreshing hint of bitterness. Winemaking: Whole bunches fed ... 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 -
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 -
Subtle, harmonious, supple—Burgundy from Domaine Anne Gros is intimately tied with the elegant and poised character of wines from Vosne-Romanée. Expressive from the get go. It is Pinot personified. The nose was light to medium with medium blueberry ... Learn MoreAnne Gros Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2018$55.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Bourgogne Rouge 2018$55.00 Per item -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Bourgogne Rouge 2017$60.01 Per itemOut of stock -
From an exceedingly satisfying vintage, a pinot that offers immediate contentment upon tasting. Aligning a multitude of flowers, early season plums and pomegrante with a fluid texture on the palate. Acidity is nonaggressive, owing to the vintages voluptuousness. An ideal ... Learn MoreDomaine Chevrot et Fils Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017$64.00 Per item -
Moillard is a historic Burgundian négociant house located in the Côte d'Or. Savigny-lès-Beaune is a large village in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, nestled between the hillsides of a sub-valley in the Côte ... Learn MoreMoillard Grivot Savigny Les Beaune 2016$68.99 Per item -
"The disarmingly modest Thierry Glantenay is emerging as one of the Côte de Beaune's most exciting producers of red wine." -William Kelley, The Wine Advocate Perhaps the Glantenays are not well known because not much was bottled and sold ... Learn MoreThierry Glantenay Bourgogne Rouge 2017$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The wines from David Moreau are incredibly stylish and fine with glowing colour and gorgeous flavours. Aromas of cherry, strawberry and raspberry with some hints of floral, herb and spice. The palate shows excellent juiciness, but is also elegant. It ... Learn MoreDavid Moreau Cote De Beaune Village Pinot Noir 2017$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
There has been a sorting table at the family winery since 2008, after which the grapes are destemmed but not crushed. The grapes are given a short cool maceration, then fermented with more pumping over than punching down, with the juice ... Learn MoreDomaine Af Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits 2016$69.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Our mums do so much for us and Mother’s Day is the one day each year that's all about them. Show her how much she’s appreciated with this Rest & Relaxation Pampering Gift Pack. The pack includes ... Learn More
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Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune 2018$75.00 Per item -
Since vintage 2010, this cuvée is an assemblage of different terroirs located in the Côte d'Or - 1/3 comes from the vineyards of an estate in the Burgundy appellation located in the commune of Nuits-Saint Georges on argilo-silty soil - 2/3 ... Learn MoreThibault Liger-Belair Bourgogne Les Grands Chaillots 2017$75.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune Rouge 2017$80.00 Per itemOut of stock -
There has been a sorting table at the family winery since 2008, after which the grapes are destemmed but not crushed. The grapes are given a short cool maceration, then fermented with more pumping over than punching down, with the juice ... Learn MoreDomaine Af Gros Bourgogne Hautes Cotes De Nuits 2018$83.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Jean-Manuel Jacquinot obtained a degree in Oenology at the esteemed University of Reims. After this he became trainee oenologist at the world famous house of Veuve Clicquot. Today, Jean-Manuel has over 20 years of experience in making Champagne, is a Member ... Learn MoreChampagne Jacquinot 'Cuvee' Blanc De Noirs Nv$99.99 Per item -
Mid-slope and with a lot limestone in the soil, Lavières comes from the word "lave" which was the term used in the past to describe the flat limestone slabs used to cover local roofs. Such stones dominate the sub-soil ... Learn MoreChandon De Briailles Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru 'Les Lavieres' 2014$105.00 Per itemOut of stock -
One of the best value Premier Sites in Burgundy ... Learn MoreChandon De Briailles Pernard-Les Vergelesses 1er Cru 2014$109.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes comes from vines averaging 60 years of age, within nine parcels that are representative of the appellation. It has a lovely bouquet of undergrowth scents percolating through red berry fruit that is slightly darker than the Bourgogne ... Learn More -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2017$120.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This certified biodynamic domaine seems to have followed an admirable course in 2018. Bottled. Fresher sample than at Berry Bros. Pale garnet. Loose and relaxed and rather a relief after a whole load of pumped-up sweet wines. Like an old pair ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Beaune 1er Cru "Teurons" 2018$130.00 Per item -
Domaine Henri Richard is located in Gevrey on the D974 a little south of Domaine Trapet. It is a fourth generation family estate owned by Margeret and Jean Bastien and their children Sarah and Richard – with Sarah Bastien and Guillaume ... Learn MoreDomaine Henri Richard Gevrey-Chambertin "Aux Corvees" 2016$132.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Domaine Henri Richard is located in Gevrey on the D974 a little south of Domaine Trapet. It is a fourth generation family estate owned by Margeret and Jean Bastien and their children Sarah and Richard – with Sarah Bastien and Guillaume ... Learn More -
The Confuron name is very famous in Burgundy, being deeply rooted is the extraordinary village of Vosne-Romanée being located at Rue de La Tâche, however this is a younger branch of the family. The style is a little ... Learn MoreConfuron-Gindre Nuits St Georges 2018$139.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Domaine Henri Richard is located in Gevrey on the D974 a little south of Domaine Trapet. It is a fourth generation family estate owned by Margeret and Jean Bastien and their children Sarah and Richard – with Sarah Bastien and Guillaume ... Learn More -
The Confuron name is very famous in Burgundy, being deeply rooted is the extraordinary village of Vosne-Romanée being located at Rue de La Tâche, however this is a younger branch of the family. The style is a little ... Learn MoreDomaine Confuron-Gindre Vosne-Romanée 2017$139.99 Per item -
The Brut Nature Rosé is a cuvée which will delight lovers of freshness, minerality and purity. On the nose, very evocative of strawberry and raspberry with a floral note of rose petals. The palate recalls red fruits and is ... Learn MoreChampagne Tattinger Cuvee Prestige Rose Nv$142.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Burgundy's best 'new' winemaker. Neal Martin has written on Benjamin Leroux: “… [He] certainly has the gift of touch that seems to elevate everything from village crus to grand crus.” ... Learn MoreBenjamin Leroux Volnay 2017$145.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Fidèle is a Blanc de Noirs (100% Pinot Noir) that comes from Kimmeridgian-limestone soils. This is mostly from 2016 (2015 in magnum) yet also includes roughly 5% reserve wine (from a perpetual blend started in 2001 and stored in a giant old foudre). The ... Learn MoreChampagne Vouette Et Sorbée Fidèle Blanc De Noirs NV$149.00 Per item -
Brothers David and Nicolas Rossignol run this 100% Organic and Biodynamically farmed Domaine located in the very heart of Gevrey Chambertin. Very early to the Sustainable farming movement, all the family's vineyards, located in some of the most impressive vineyards in ... Learn MoreDomaine Rossignol-Trapet Beaune 1er Cru "Teurons" 2017$149.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Come and try United Cellars FASTEST SELLING French imports each year. This tasting package contains;
- 2x Le Versant Syrah
- 2x Le Versant Pinot Noir
- 2x Le Versant Chardonnay
Le Versant Mix$149.99 -
This is one of the finest Burgundy estates, where the wine-making involves minimal interventions. It is run by Jean-Marc Blain and his wife Claudine, the daughter of Jacques Gagnard-Delagrange. The family owns some of the village’s greatest hillsides. New ... Learn MoreDomaine Blain-Gagnard Volnay "Champans" 1er Cru 2016$160.00 Per itemOut of stock
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