
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), 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.
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- 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 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 2019$55.00 Per item
- Savory aromas of black olive, dried mushroom, iodine and earth, as well as wild blackberry and clove. It’s medium-bodied with firm, sleek tannins and fresh acidity. Bitter berry notes on the finish. Hint of jam, but turns firm. - ... Learn More
- The 2018 Haut-Brisson comes from Vignonet and Monbousquet in Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse, from the lieu-dit Laroque. It is blended of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc and has 14.6% alcohol. It is aging in 35% new, 35% one-year-old and 30% two-year-old barrels for an anticipated 18 months. It has ... Learn MoreChateau Haut Brisson 2018 (Ex Chateau)$56.00 Per item
- The 2018 Château Lespault-Martillac is terrific, and despite having gravellier, draining soils, the Graves region turned out plenty of beautiful wines in the vintage. This deeply colored effort offers medium to full-bodied richness and notable elegance to go with classic ... Learn More
- Merlot 54%, Cabernet Sauvignon 38%, Cabernet Franc 4%, Petit Verdot 4% This is a super effort from the Lynch-Bages team this year. The drought has given concentration, but not at the expense of delicacy. That is evident at first from the colour, which is ... Learn More
- Showing signs of maturity, the 2004 Ermitage le Meal is an elegant, pretty and seamless Hermitage that offers up plenty of dried flowers, dried spices, leather and both blackberry and raspberry-like fruit characteristics. - Robert Parker Deep garnet red with purple ... Learn MoreDomaine Du Colombier Crozes-Hermitage 2013$60.01 Per item
- *This price includes all shipping and taxes- due 2024* The history of Chateau Mangot reaches all the way back to 1556, now with 34 hA of organically farmed, minimal intervention vines. The aim: to express as many facets as possible of the 21 Mangot ... Learn More
- *This price includes all shipping and taxes- due 2024* The second wine from Chateau Les Cruzelles. Where the flagship wine consists of a considerable portion of Cabernet Franc, La Chenade is 100% Merlot. With only 30% new oak, the fruit is the star ... Learn More
- The 2018 Château Potensac sports a saturated purple color as well as a Cabernet-dominated nose of blackcurrants, cassis, tobacco, and earth. This beauty is full-bodied and concentrated, with notable freshness balancing terrific ripeness. It’s going to evolve nicely for ... Learn More
- Puy Arnaud’s wine range is designed to be eclectic and creative. Its goal is to offer you wines for every occasion: fruity wines with friends, good Bordeaux at the restaurant during lunch, crisp and tense Rosé for summer holiday ... Learn More
- *This price includes all shipping and taxes- due 2024* Eric Bissenot is the eonologist who consults for Châteaux Lafite, Latour, Margaux and Mouton Rothschild, plus super-seconds such as Léoville Las Cases and Ducru-Beaucaillou. A fantastic 2021 from Dalem. Plenty of ... Learn MoreChateau Dalem 2021 (En Primeur - Delivery 2024)$65.00 Per item
- Deep purple-black in color, the 2018 Laroze bursts from the glass with warm plums, baked cherries and mulberries with hints of chocolate box, tapenade and camphor. Full, rich and opulent with bags of black fruit preserves and spicy sparks framed by ... Learn More
- The 2018 La Fleur De Boüard is mostly Merlot but includes 12% Cabernet Franc and just a splash of Cabernet Sauvignon. Blueberries, cassis, graphite, charcoal, and subtle oak notes all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, concentrated, beautifully balanced 2018 that has ... Learn More
- The deep ruby/purple-colored 2018 Château Fombrauge is a beauty and one of the finest examples of this cuvée to date. Smoked black fruits, tobacco, graphite, and hints of chocolate all emerge from this medium to full-bodied, rich, impressively ... Learn More
- The 2018 Le Marquis de Calon-Ségur is a blend of 53% Merlot and 47% Cabernet Sauvignon (14.9% alcohol). Deep purple-black in color, it gives up opulent scents of Indian spices, menthol and plum preserves with a core of crème de cassis, baked ... Learn More
- Denser than the regular Crozes rouge, like a dry vintage port with blueberry, morello cherry and cocoa powder flavors, well-oaked with typical roasted meat nuances. Vibrant, elegant blueberry flavors. Long finish, hint of black pepper on the palate. ... Learn More
- In each and every vintage, the wines of Château Corbin are the fruit of true luxury craftsmanship. Carefully tended vines, a meticulous selection of the grape bunches and slow barrel ageing are prerequisites in the Corbin method to ensure ... Learn MoreChateau Corbin 2021 (En Primeur - Arrival 2024)$74.99 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 Savigny-Les-Beaune 2019$75.00 Per item
- Pinot Noir from vines with an average age of 35 years. Complete destemming followed by cold vatting for 3 to 6 days at 10°C. Fermentation with natural yeasts for 12 to 18 days. Pumping-over/pigeage twice a day depending on the vintage. 15 months maturing on ... Learn MoreDomaine Matrot Auxey-duresses Rouge 2019$77.00 Per item
- The 2018 Lynch-Moussas is super-expressive and very nicely woven together. Bright red berry fruit, floral notes and silky tannins give the wine striking persistence to match its understated personality. All the elements are impeccably balanced in a wine that is so ... Learn More