
White 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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- 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
- Composed of grapes from five carefully selected terroirs, Les Jamelles Sauvignon Blanc derives its freshness and minerality from the Thau lagoon basin, the dried-up marsh of Marseillette, the Upper Aude Valley near Limoux, and the western Aude department. Doted with ... Learn MoreLes Jamelles Sauvignon Blanc 2018$21.00 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 2021$21.99 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
- 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
- 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 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
- Nicholas Potel is a fabulous negociant winemaker that has made a name for producing Quality Burgundy at reasonable prices. Maison Roche de Bellene has created a range of “pleasure” wines: the Bellenos Collection. Due to their brand name, the wines ... Learn MoreRoche De Bellene 'Bellenos' Blanc 2018$29.99 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 This fruity ... Learn MorePetit Chablis Aoc "Clos Martin" 2020$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
- The vineyard was able to replenish its water reserves thanks to a particularly wet, warm January. The vegetative cycle was delayed by a few days, however. February brought much cooler weather, and March, more rain. Budburst happened in the middle ... Learn MoreWilliam Fevre Petit Chablis 2019$35.00 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 bright, elegant expression ... Learn More
- "Our Chablis vineyards, located primarily in the lush Valvan valley, are on average 25 years old. Wine produced from these 8 parcels, blended and matured in the true Chablis tradition, reveal all the facets of this rich ground." Louis Michel & Fils It ... Learn MoreLouis Michel Petit Chablis 2019$36.99 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
- 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$43.99 Per item
- The original and still the best style of Sauvignon Blanc. Fresh green grass leads but is not pungent or offensive. Followed by crisp green apple and abundant smoky, stony mineral notes. Crunchy, raspy acidity, mineral and citrus flavours, feather light ... Learn More
- Domaine William Fevre Chablis 2019$50.00 Per item
- An amazing bargain Les Saussots is a rounded, expressive wine of exceptional flavour and class. ... Learn More
- 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
- 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
- REVUE DES VINS DE FRANCE: 1* STAR PRODUCER “We particularly like the style of this domaine, no bullshit, offering driven and intense wines that enter in the best of the Jura tradition.” The Domaine de Montbourgeau is situated in the southwestern ... Learn MoreDomaine De Montbourgeau L'Etoile Jura 2017$54.99 Per item
- 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
- 40+ years old vines. Aged 100% in stainless steel. Comes mostly from very old vines situated in Les Pargues on the hill located between the premier cru sites of Montee de Tonnerre and Vaillons. This terroir has historically always been very highly ... Learn MoreChristian Moreau Chablis Ac 2019$59.99 Per item
- 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
- A gewurztraminer masterpiece! Smells like walking through a tropical garden at dawn. On the palate, it is creamy and elegant at the same time. With just enough sweetness to fit into this category and just enough acidity to make the ... Learn More
- 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 1er Cru 2020$64.99 Per item
- A regional cuvée that provides the gateway to the Belargus universe. This wine exhibits alluring aromas of dried leaves and citrus. The palate is seductively built with flavours of savoury spices, dried leaves, and tart citrus. ... Learn MoreDomaine Belargus Anjou Noir 2020$65.99 Per item
- Since 1868, Domaine Jacques Prieur has created one of the rarest mosaics of terroirs in Burgundy. This splendid Premier Cru is 100% Pinot Noir produced from a 2.06 hectare plot, 100% aged in new oak barrels for 17 months. The 2019 is intense and dark ruby ... Learn MoreDomaine Jacques Prieur Bourgogne Chardonnay 2019$69.00 Per item
- ‘Fourchaume’ is one of the most reputed Premier Crus of Chablis. The slope is a progression of the same one on which the Grand Crus are based. It benefits from the same exposure (to the South-West), which allows it to ... 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
- Pierre Baillette is not just limited to the creation of high-quality champagne, but to preserve the most authentic values of the wine tradition of this legendary region. This refreshing and savory Champagne is loaded with flavors of citrus, white cherries, ... Learn MorePierre Baillette Brut le Village NV$79.00 Per item
- A fresh, aromatic nose with notes of white flowers, ripe lemon, apple and subtle stone-fruit. The palate displays a delicate, mineral acidity, roundness and complexity. A well-regarded, south-east facing premier cru that receives plenty of sunshine and contains a large ... Learn MoreBillaud-Simon 1er Cru Chablis 'Les Vaillons' 2018$90.00 Per item
- This cuvée comes from a blend of all the plots of the Domaine on the Quarts-de-Chaume rump. Its name refers to the abbey of the same name, owner of the Chaume vineyards since the 11th century. Chenin blanc at ... Learn More
- An exceptional quality 1er Cru Chablis from an extraordinary producer and site, this is quickly becoming one of the best value Burgundies imported into Australia each year. After airing, this wine presents a perfect balance between fresh minerality and very ... Learn More
- Rully blanc is one of the secrets in Burgundy. It produces wines that can surprise with their complexity and verve. This year again we have a super nose full of freshness and tension. In 2018 again this has real citric freshness ... Learn More
- First made as a single parcel in 2010, La Côte comes from the majestic La Grande Côte vineyard, a south to south-east facing hillside on the outskirts of Chavignol. ... Learn MoreGerard Boulay La Cote Sancerre 2017$101.00 Per item
- This south-facing walled vineyard is situated in the combe of Nuits-St Georges and was previously known as Clos de la Roche. The Aligoté Doré vines were planted in 1978 and undergo a week-long skin maceration before pressing and fermentation in old ... Learn More
- Coming from a set of plots located high up in the village of Savennières, on a plateau of aeolian sands and deep black schists, the “Gaudrets” cuvée embodies the typical profile of Savennières wines. This cuvée ... Learn MoreDomaine Belargus Savennières “Gaudrets” 2018$109.99 Per item
- This is from a very small parcel underneath Meix Caillet. This year it again shows as Chablis-esque with sea spray, iodine, and white flowers framing the aromas along with very gentle (and classy) reduction. The wine is very racy and ... Learn More