France

France

The influence of France's vine growing prowess cannot be denied. It's geographic range, coupled with tradition and confidence has lead to it's prominence in setting the benchmark for wine across the world.

The defining feature of French wines is terroir, a combination of environmental factors which give the wines character and style. 

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    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Fleshy and crunchy on the palate with a red fruit expression that leaves a fresh sensation. The tannins are soft and smooth and the finish long and si... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Fleshy and crunchy on the palate with a red fruit expression that leaves a fresh sensation. The tannins are soft and smooth and the finish long and si... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £36.35 What is MIX6?

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    £30.29 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £41.54 £34.62
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    A wine which is light in body and has a lower than usual alcohol content. Citrus, gooseberry and apricot on the nose and palate. Crisp and refreshing. Read More
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    A wine which is light in body and has a lower than usual alcohol content. Citrus, gooseberry and apricot on the nose and palate. Crisp and refreshing. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £9.10 What is MIX6?

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    £7.58 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £9.95 £8.29
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
    A bright and punchy Merlot with distinctive plum character and a velvety finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
    A bright and punchy Merlot with distinctive plum character and a velvety finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £9.10 What is MIX6?

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    £7.58 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £9.98 £8.32
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    The Sélection de Parcelles cuvée combines the sensual minerality of the Chardonnay Premier Cru from Villers-Marmery with the elegant power of the Pi... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    The Sélection de Parcelles cuvée combines the sensual minerality of the Chardonnay Premier Cru from Villers-Marmery with the elegant power of the Pi... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £39.95 What is MIX6?

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    £33.29 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £45.95 £38.29
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Vinified as a homage to the exceptional Chardonnays grown on pure chalk from the Montagne de Reims, this single vintage Blanc de Blancs expresses all ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Vinified as a homage to the exceptional Chardonnays grown on pure chalk from the Montagne de Reims, this single vintage Blanc de Blancs expresses all ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £42.95 What is MIX6?

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    £35.79 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £49.94 £41.62
    • Origin
    • Bordeaux
    • France
    Ripe fruit aromas, particularly cherry and plum. Elegant, fruity, supple mouth. Round tannins and a smooth finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • Bordeaux
    • France
    Ripe fruit aromas, particularly cherry and plum. Elegant, fruity, supple mouth. Round tannins and a smooth finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £21.44 What is MIX6?

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    £17.87 exc VAT
    Single 150cl bottle
    £24.54 £20.45
    • Origin
    • France
    • Languedoc-Roussilon
    A deep garnet red hue with purple hints. The nose is complex and rich with rosemary, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas. Full and smooth in the mout... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Languedoc-Roussilon
    A deep garnet red hue with purple hints. The nose is complex and rich with rosemary, blackcurrant and black cherry aromas. Full and smooth in the mout... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £12.85 What is MIX6?

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    £10.71 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £13.49 £11.24
    • Origin
    • France
    • Rhône Valley
    Yellow straw in colour, with aromas packed full of ripe fruits, ending with a soft fresh finish.  A cracking white from the South of France, made fro... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Rhône Valley
    Yellow straw in colour, with aromas packed full of ripe fruits, ending with a soft fresh finish.  A cracking white from the South of France, made fro... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £12.36 What is MIX6?

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    £10.30 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £13.99 £11.66
    • Origin
    • Burgundy
    • France
    Round with a pungent bouquet of grilled almonds and vanilla. Nice fullness in the mouth with integrated oak and a long, mineral finish. Despite being ... Read More
    • Origin
    • Burgundy
    • France
    Round with a pungent bouquet of grilled almonds and vanilla. Nice fullness in the mouth with integrated oak and a long, mineral finish. Despite being ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £222.00 What is MIX6?

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    £185.00 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £239.08 £199.23
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Expressive nose with aromas of red fruit (wild strawberry, raspberry and gooseberry) that develop into more complex aromas (fig, fresh almond and berg... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Expressive nose with aromas of red fruit (wild strawberry, raspberry and gooseberry) that develop into more complex aromas (fig, fresh almond and berg... Read More
    Single 75cl bottle
    £52.94 £44.12
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Soft and creamy in texture, elegantly perfumed with a refined bead and consistent quality. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Soft and creamy in texture, elegantly perfumed with a refined bead and consistent quality. Read More
    Single 75cl bottle
    £49.94 £41.62
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    An intense and beautiful Burgundian Pinot Noir. This wine displays primary red fruits but with a savoury edge with an earthier undertone perhaps. Some... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    An intense and beautiful Burgundian Pinot Noir. This wine displays primary red fruits but with a savoury edge with an earthier undertone perhaps. Some... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £27.08 What is MIX6?

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    £22.57 exc VAT
    Single 37.5cl bottle
    £29.99 £24.99
    • Origin
    • France
    A soft, yet deceptively complex Merlot from the south of France. Fresh plum and cassis give way to a hint of violets on the finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    A soft, yet deceptively complex Merlot from the south of France. Fresh plum and cassis give way to a hint of violets on the finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £9.95 What is MIX6?

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    £8.29 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £10.94 £9.12
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lighter and more mineral style of Grand Cru Chablis. This is due to the vineyard facing south western which makes for a cooler mesoclimate than the ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lighter and more mineral style of Grand Cru Chablis. This is due to the vineyard facing south western which makes for a cooler mesoclimate than the ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £50.94 What is MIX6?

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    £42.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £58.94 £49.12
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Graves
    An expressive and impressive wine with a character of fruits of the forrest, cassis and jammy spiced notes. Round and succulent with great depth and b... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Graves
    An expressive and impressive wine with a character of fruits of the forrest, cassis and jammy spiced notes. Round and succulent with great depth and b... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £16.15 What is MIX6?

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    £13.46 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £18.24 £15.20
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Right Bank
    • Pomerol
    A soft wine with attractive berry fruits, smoky acidity and sweet juicy flavours. The tannins are well integrated with acidity pushing through. The fi... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Right Bank
    • Pomerol
    A soft wine with attractive berry fruits, smoky acidity and sweet juicy flavours. The tannins are well integrated with acidity pushing through. The fi... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £49.80 What is MIX6?

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    £41.50 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £56.94 £47.45
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Cotes de Beaune
    A stunning Chardonnay from one of the best regarded appellations in Burgundy. This is complex wine with aromas of juicy green apple, luscious peach an... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Cotes de Beaune
    A stunning Chardonnay from one of the best regarded appellations in Burgundy. This is complex wine with aromas of juicy green apple, luscious peach an... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £50.94 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £42.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £57.94 £48.28
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lighter and more mineral style of Grand Cru Chablis. This is due to the vineyard facing south western which makes for a cooler mesoclimate than the ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lighter and more mineral style of Grand Cru Chablis. This is due to the vineyard facing south western which makes for a cooler mesoclimate than the ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £50.94 What is MIX6?

    Add 6 or more bottles of selected wine to your basket to receive the wholesale price.

    £42.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £58.94 £49.12
    • Origin
    • France
    • Loire valley
    The Côt with its garnet colour with purple reflections, offers aromas of Morello cherry, violet and grilled almonds. This fruity and structured wine ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Loire valley
    The Côt with its garnet colour with purple reflections, offers aromas of Morello cherry, violet and grilled almonds. This fruity and structured wine ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £14.60 What is MIX6?

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    £12.17 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £16.60 £13.83
    • Origin
    • France
    • Loire Valley
    A lively, vibrant red from the Loire Valley full of ripe juicy red fruits. A lovely easy-drinking wine, well balanced with great character on the pala... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Loire Valley
    A lively, vibrant red from the Loire Valley full of ripe juicy red fruits. A lovely easy-drinking wine, well balanced with great character on the pala... Read More
    BUY 3 for £59.51 £19.84 £49.59 exc VAT £16.53 exc VAT
    As part of a MIX6 £20.75 What is MIX6?

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    £17.29 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £22.94 £19.12
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lively, expressive white with subtle notes of ripe mango, passion fruit, tropical flowers, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is textured and well... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    • Chablis
    A lively, expressive white with subtle notes of ripe mango, passion fruit, tropical flowers, and vanilla. On the palate, the wine is textured and well... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £54.16 What is MIX6?

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    £45.13 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £59.94 £49.95
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Elegant and refined, this white Burgundy displays restrained aromas of vanilla and fresh fruit, with subtle cedar notes from its time in oak. The plea... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Elegant and refined, this white Burgundy displays restrained aromas of vanilla and fresh fruit, with subtle cedar notes from its time in oak. The plea... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £32.56 What is MIX6?

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    £27.13 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £37.99 £31.66
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Right Bank
    • Pomerol
    Rich, muscular and complex with layered aromas of elegant damson, eucalyptus and brooding black fruits. Silky Pomerol tannins lead to a long and sumpt... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Right Bank
    • Pomerol
    Rich, muscular and complex with layered aromas of elegant damson, eucalyptus and brooding black fruits. Silky Pomerol tannins lead to a long and sumpt... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £310.94 What is MIX6?

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    £259.12 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £349.98 £291.65
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Considerable care has gone into this white Burgundy’s oak maturation resulting in a beautifully rounded and elegantly rich full-bodied wine. You ca... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Considerable care has gone into this white Burgundy’s oak maturation resulting in a beautifully rounded and elegantly rich full-bodied wine. You ca... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £28.45 What is MIX6?

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    £23.71 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £32.50 £27.08
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Grapes

France is famed for producing Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc,Pinot Noir, Syrah and many other varieties of grape that still, arguably, achieve their ultimate expression here.  It is also home to Cognac and Armagnac, the finest of brandies, and the famous apple brandy of Calvados.

History

The Greeks brought viticulture to France's Mediterranean coast in about 600BC. During Roman occupation, the vine spread along two main routes: west to Garonne/ Bordeaux and north through the Rhone Valley. After the Roman Emprire collapsed the Church became the most important land owners and producers, especially in Burgundy, Loire Valley and Champagne. The political changes in the 18th Century didn't affect the wine trade per se, however changes to the religious oders had significant impacts on land ownership. Bordeaux saw a boom in wealth and growth as foreign trade blossomed, not least with the French West Indies. The 1855 classification system was introduced, bringing more uniform standards. 

The Classification System

The current Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system was introduced in 1930's and is founded on the principle that defined geographic location is responsible for the unique character and flavour of individual French wines. There are three levels to the AOC: Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), Vin de Pays (VdP) and Vin de Table (VdT). The quality standards are highest in AOC wines, covering details including vine yield, minimum alcohol levels and of course grape varieties and apellation boundaries. Grand Cru and Premier Cru sit within AOC. This compares to VdT were neither grape variety, vintage ore region are required on the label.

Climate and Terroir

The diversity of France's climate relates to its plethora of styles and the main wine regions fall into three climatic zones. Bordeaux, Loire Valley and the Southwest are within the maritime climate, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean. The South of France and southern Rhone Valley are under a Mediterranean climate while northern Rhone, Burgundy, Alsace and Champagne fall into a continental influence. The climate, wine style and gastronomy are all tightly woven together and to unpick them require much more time and room on the page than is allowed!

If the region defines the style of the wine, terroir is responsible for all the fine tuning.  It's the crucial combination of environmental factors such as microclimate, soil type and topography. It's an underpinning principle in the classification system and endless source of debate.

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