Red Wine, 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, Malbec), 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. Click here for our Bordeaux FAQs, the benefits of buying En Primeur or find out about how the wines from Burgundy are classified.
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, Malbec), 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. Click here for our Bordeaux FAQs, the benefits of buying En Primeur or find out about how the wines from Burgundy are classified.
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This Syrah is truly expressive of the South of France. Lightly perfumed with aromas of dark berries, plum, sweet spice and hints of forest bramble. The palate is rich and supple with a core of ripe and naturally sweet berried ... Learn MoreMAISON DE PARNASSE SYRAH 2017$11.99 Per item -
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 -
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 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 More -
Following careful selection of the best wines in the cellar, we make a single blend, which will be bottled at the Estate about eighteen months after the harvest. Loaded with red and black berries, beautiful violets, dried provincial herbs and ... Learn MoreMONT-REDON RESERVE COTES DU RHONE 2016$21.00 Per item -
Aromatic nose with aromas of small mashed red fruits mixed with spicy and smokey hints. Rich and silky palate. The Le Versant Syrah Vin de Pays d'Oc has a nice aromatic complexity with a pleasant and fruity finish. Offering great ... Learn MoreLE VERSANT 'VIN DE PAYS D'OC' SYRAH 2016$21.99 Per itemOut of stock -
This is a very attractive Cotes du Rhone that will deliver relaxed drinking pleasure over the next five years. A lifted nose of dark berried fruit, forest undergrowth, oak and sweet spice. The palate begins with a burst of supple ... Learn MoreLES COURTILLES COTES DU RHONE 2016$21.99 Per item -
Domaine du Sauveroy was founded in 1866, and is located in the heart of Les Coteaux, near the Layon river bordering the village of Saint Lambert du Lattay in Anjou. 100% Gamay from the Loire Valley, this wine is truly delicious and ... Learn MoreDOMAINE SAUVEROY IGP LOIRE ‘VITA FRUCTUM’ 2016$21.99 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 2018$22.99 Per item -
A nose of granitic earth, smoke, garrigue herbs and blueberries. Intense palate of smoked, grilled, cured meats, ripe blueberry and plenty of green pepper notes- Very serious for a cheapie! Father and son team Gilbert et Aurélien Chirat manage ... Learn More -
Intense, brilliant garnet-red colour. It reveals lovely fruit, loads of body and a heady bouquet of ground peppers, raspberries cherry liqueur, currants, and spice box. Full-bodied and dense, it tastes more like a “baby Châteauneuf” than a Côtes ... Learn More -
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 -
Already hugely popular in the European market, United Cellars are proud to be the sole importer of this incredibly enjoyable wine that is easy to drink but with enough complexity to keep every drinker happy. This wine is produced from ... Learn More -
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 item -
With aromas of tart small red fruits and boiled sweets, and a palate that is soft, fleshy and crunchy with the tartness of fresh red berry fruit: Morello cherry, raspberry, strawberry. Enjoy within 2 years ... Learn MoreDOMAINE DU VISSOUX BEAUJOLAIS 'LES GRIOTTES' 2017$33.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Intense inky colour. On the nose, aromas of red and black ripe fruit (kirsch and wild Blackberry) are dominant. The mouth is full, with aromas of blackcurrant liquor and spice. Tannins are both harmonious and elegant thanks to the fleshy ... Learn MoreALAIN JAUME LIRAC 'CLOS SIXTE' 2015$34.99 Per item -
Domaine Michelas st Jemms are the oldest individual winery in Crozes Hermitage established in 1961. They were the first family to leave the Cave de Tain cooperative, becoming the first independent in the region, and setting the stage for many others ... Learn More -
The vines that produce this cuvée are over 40 years old. As above, the wines are wild yeast fermented, but L'Atypic is raised entirely in concrete (and bottled unfiltered). ... Learn MoreCHATEAU PEYBONHOMME 'L’ATYPIC' 2017$39.00 Per item -
The Gigondas comes from a UNESCO heritage site known as the Montmirail hill, that is unlike any other vineyard on Earth. The soils are white granite rocks, and produce intense, complex reds. Domaine Brusset are one of the largest vineyard ... Learn More -
Already hugely popular in the European market, United Cellars are proud to be the sole importer of this incredibly enjoyable wine that is easy to drink but with enough complexity to keep every drinker happy. Classic Moulin a Vent with ... Learn More -
United Cellars is proud to be the sole importer of this incredibly enjoyable wine. Intensely floral nose of potpourri, dried lavender and blueberries. Soft, light mineral tannins, earthy spices but plenty of blue fruits and floral flavours, Very approachable and ... 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 More -
A harmonious, elegant, rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. A mulitlayered, elegant and feminine nose that is filled with soft, ripe plums and cassis. Approachable and friendly with lovely structure, fleshy tannins and a long finish. The ... Learn MoreCHATEAU LANESSAN 2016 (BONDED - EN PRIMEUR)$40.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This 100% Gamay cuvée is a selection of great terroirs of Domaine Labruyère, predominantly grown on granite soils rich in quartz. Vines of 50 years of age on average, planted at 10,000 vines per hectare. Grapes are harvested manually in 25kg ... Learn MoreLABRUYÈRE COEUR DE TERROIRS MOULIN A VENT 2016$45.00 Per item -
A fruity and light red wine with aromas of red and black fruits such as strawberry, cherry, blackberry or apple. The palate shows more spicy herbal aromas and the acidity os very bright and fresh. ... Learn MoreDOMAINE OVERNOY TROUSSEAU 2015$48.99 Per item -
Domaine Michelas st Jemms are the oldest individual winery in Crozes Hermitage established in 1961. They were the first family to leave the Cave de Tain cooperative, becoming the first independent in the region, and setting the stage for many others ... Learn More -
Named after its most famous owner, Pope Clement V, Chateau Pape Clement in Pessac Leognan makes both red and white wine from their 32.5 hectare vineyard. Vineyards for the red wine is planted to 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, while the soils ... Learn MoreCHATEAU PAPE CLEMENT 2018 (EN PRIMEUR)$54.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A magnificent Grand Cru Classa, Chateau Laroque shines bright, established on the most beautiful limestone terroir of the Saint-Emilion appellation, on the right bank of Bordeaux. With 61 hectares of vines planted on a a clay plateau upon a subsoil of ... Learn MoreCHATEAU LAROQUE St EMILION 2018 (EN PRIMEUR)$54.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The color is of an intense black. The nose shows a delicate but complex bouquet of aromas: pretty notes of black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberries), smoked and grilled notes and sweet spices. In the mouth, the attack is full of freshness, ... Learn MoreDOMAINE LES ALEXANDRINS CROZES HERMITAGE 2016$54.99 Per item -
A 1/3 assemblage of the 3 Jura reds: Pinot Noir, Poulsard, Trousseau. Whole-bunch Pinot Noir with the rest destemmed by hand. Made using the same process as 50 years ago: a long maceration, no pump-overs and fermented for 3 months on skins in a ... Learn MoreTISSOT ARBOIS 'DD' SANS SOUFRE 2016$58.99 Per item -
52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot - Aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (medium toast), of which 40% are new. "The 2016 Cantemerle has a tightly wound bouquet... There are attractive undergrowth scents and a touch of tobacco. The ... Learn MoreCHATEAU CANTEMERLE 2016 (BONDED - EN PRIMEUR)$61.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Always considered among the best – the 1867 edition of Feret’s “Bordeaux and its Wines” already classified Falfas one the four Grand Cru of the Côtes de Bourg – one no longer counts the number of medals and prizes awarded the ... Learn MoreCHATEAU FALFAS 2012$61.00 Per item -
"The 2016 Meyney has quite an opulent and flamboyant bouquet, which is something I do not expect from this Saint Estèphe. It seems to calm down in the glass and attains more delineation and poise. The palate is sweet on ... Learn MoreCHATEAU MEYNEY 2016 (BONDED - EN PRIMEUR)$63.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Beginning with the 2009 vintage, Labégorce Zédé has been folded into Labégorce, both of which are owned by the Perrodo family (as is the recently acquired Marquis d'Alesme). The 53-hectare vineyard has thus grown to 65 hectares and remains ... Learn MoreCHATEAU LABEGORCE MARGAUX 2018 (EN PRIMEUR)$64.99 Per itemOut of stock -
70% Grenache noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. An intense dark-ruby colour. The nose develop aromas of ripe black fruit (such as blackberry), cherry and spice box. The palate reveals the presence of tannins, in high quantity and elegant. The finish is long ... Learn MoreALAIN JAUME CHATEAUNEUF DU PAPE LE MIOCENE 2017$69.99 Per item -
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 item -
This Gigondas comes from a UNESCO heritage site known as the Montmirail hill, that is unlike any other vineyard on Earth. The soils are white granite rocks, and produce intense, complex reds. Domaine Brusset are one of the largest vineyard ... Learn More -
A beautiful red color with purple undertones, this wine develops aromas of black fruit, slightly roasted cocoa, pepper and sweet spices. The mouth is full of freshness, with fine tannins that give it volume and roundness. The finish is long ... Learn MoreDOMAINE LES ALEXANDRINS ST JOSEPH 2016$74.99 Per item -
The 8.5 hectares of vines situated on the commune of Libourne benefit from a gravelly, meagre and highly qualitative, early ripening terroir that produces Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon at optimal maturity before the summer solstice. The majority of the ... Learn MoreCHATEAU BELREGARD-FIGEAC 2015$79.99 Per itemOut of stock
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