Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, 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 entry-level white from Domaine de Chevalier, the 2018 L'Esprit De Chevalier is smoking good, and at some point, could make you wonder about the rationale for spending the extra money for the top wine. Ripe lemon, citrus, sliced pineapple, and ... Learn More -
Spicy and intense with dried-apple, peach and some stone character. It’s medium-bodied and sweet, yet fresh and vivid. - James Suckling The Premier Grand Cru Classé Guiraud takes its name from the Bordeaux négociant Pierre Guiraud, who purchased ... Learn MoreChâteau Guiraud 2020 (En Primeur - HELD IN BOND)$59.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Pretty and slightly grapey on the nose, delicately floral. Fragrant with blackcurrant bud. Crisp acidity and a lightly grainy texture. Hint of spice and lots of fresh citrus on the palate. Tight, lively and persistent. - Jancis Robinson ... Learn More -
Taken from mostly older vines (60+ years), this brings much more intensity and depth to the whole. The breadth of flavour here is staggering and the acid is crystalline and electric. There is some power here and some weight, too, and ... Learn More -
95 points James Suckling; This is powerful and racy with lots of class. Full body, very sweet with lots of spicy botrytis character. Intense. Drink or hold. Stone fruit flavours with lingering notes of chamomile, butterscotch and meringue create a polished ... Learn MoreChateau Lafaurie Peyraguey 2001 375ml$85.00 Per item -
95 points James Suckling; This is powerful and racy with lots of class. Full body, very sweet with lots of spicy botrytis character. Intense. Drink or hold. Stone fruit flavours with lingering notes of chamomile, butterscotch and meringue create a polished ... Learn MoreChateau Lafaurie Peyraguey 2005 375ml$99.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Spicy and intense with dried-apple, peach and some stone character. It’s medium-bodied and sweet, yet fresh and vivid. - James Suckling The Premier Grand Cru Classé Guiraud takes its name from the Bordeaux négociant Pierre Guiraud, who purchased ... Learn MoreChâteau Guiraud 2020 (En Primeur - Delivery 2023)$109.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Rieussec is a Premier Cru Class producer from the world best Dessert wine region. ... Learn MoreChateau Rieussec Sauternes 2007 (375Ml)$124.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is composed of 79.2% Sémillon and 20.8% Sauvignon Blanc, harvested August 27 to September 5. It comes bounding out of the glass with bold notions of warm pineapple, guava and peach juice plus hints of lanolin, honeysuckle, lime ... Learn More -
This has a complex nose of dried apple, green mango, grapefruit zest, dried honeysuckle and crushed almonds. It’s full-bodied with bright acidity and a dense, phenolic texture. Vivid and layered with fantastic precision. Very, very long. This needs time. ... Learn More -
Gold color. Loads of dried pineapple and apple with honey and melons as well on the nose. Full-bodied medium sweet with lots of dried fruits on the palate. Long and lively. Almost exotic. - Wine Spectator Fantastic, youthful colour, solid ... Learn MoreChateau Suduiraut Sauternes 1988$250.00 Per itemOut of stock -
The 2018 Cos D'Estournel Blanc includes slightly more Sémillon and is 67% Sauvignon and 33% Sémillon brought up all in barrel, with just 7% being new. Richer notes of crushed citrus, tart peach, white flowers, and salty minerality all emerge from this ... Learn More -
No other dessert wine can match Chateau d'Yquem for fame or quality. "Mid amber. Vanilla cream, white chocolate, butter and orange zest. Succulent and clean on the finish. Reverberant acidity. Simply stunning. Could this be bettered? Hard to imagine how. 20/20 ... Learn MoreChateau D'Yquem 2003 (375Ml)$550.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This is such a stunning wine and the impact on the palate is terrific. Very closed and very intense, the fruit is firm and arresting and the length is sensational. The oak, while fairly prominent, joins forces with the acidity ... Learn More
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