France

France

The influence of France's vine growing prowess cannot be denied. It's geographic range, coupled to 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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    Elegant and refined sparkling wine with a light and fruity bouquet. Notes of white fruits and hints of brioche on the nose and a palate of fresh fruit... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    Elegant and refined sparkling wine with a light and fruity bouquet. Notes of white fruits and hints of brioche on the nose and a palate of fresh fruit... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £9.49 What is MIX6?

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    £7.91 exc VAT
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    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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    Single 75cl bottle
    £41.54 £34.62
    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 £8.94 What is MIX6?

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    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
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    A gorgeous full-bodied blend of red grapes commonly grown in the South of France. Ample ripe black fruit aromas are present throughout and are joined ... Read More
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    • Languedoc-Roussillon
    A gorgeous full-bodied blend of red grapes commonly grown in the South of France. Ample ripe black fruit aromas are present throughout and are joined ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £12.74 What is MIX6?

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    £14.50 £12.08
    The "Sélection de Parcelles” cuvée combines the sensual minerality of the Chardonnay Premier Cru from Villers-Marmery with the elegant power of th... 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 th... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £39.95 What is MIX6?

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    £33.29 exc VAT
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    £45.95 £38.29
    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
    The perfect expression of the fruity and elegant aromas of Henriet Bazins Grand-Cru plots in Verzenay and Verzy, this blended Rosé contains a good pr... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    The perfect expression of the fruity and elegant aromas of Henriet Bazins Grand-Cru plots in Verzenay and Verzy, this blended Rosé contains a good pr... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £44.94 What is MIX6?

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    £37.45 exc VAT
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    £51.94 £43.28
    Arrayed in a gorgeous cherry-like hue, this Morgon is dominated by aromas of black fruit, including blackberries and blackcurrants, gently topped with... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Beaujolais
    Arrayed in a gorgeous cherry-like hue, this Morgon is dominated by aromas of black fruit, including blackberries and blackcurrants, gently topped with... Read More
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    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 £20.24 What is MIX6?

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    £16.87 exc VAT
    Single 150cl bottle
    £23.34 £19.45
    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 £12.24 What is MIX6?

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    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 £11.75 What is MIX6?

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    Rich aromas of spicy blackcurrants. Full and rich on the palate with notes of chocolate treacle, finish is long, peppery and savoury. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • South of France
    • Languedoc
    Rich aromas of spicy blackcurrants. Full and rich on the palate with notes of chocolate treacle, finish is long, peppery and savoury. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £15.95 What is MIX6?

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    Elegant and finely balanced with a luscious creaminess which is reminiscent of the whites of Burgundy. An exquisite Chardonnay from the Languedoc. Read More
    • Origin
    • Southern France
    • Languedoc
    Elegant and finely balanced with a luscious creaminess which is reminiscent of the whites of Burgundy. An exquisite Chardonnay from the Languedoc. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £11.39 What is MIX6?

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    An incredible example of Chateauneuf-de-Pape from a plot of vines with an average age of 60 years. Deep, rich, and super concentrated with hearty blac... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Rhône Valley
    An incredible example of Chateauneuf-de-Pape from a plot of vines with an average age of 60 years. Deep, rich, and super concentrated with hearty blac... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £59.94 What is MIX6?

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    £65.94 £54.95
    Old vines and true terroir: Juicy and vibrant, raspberry and underbrush, plums, subtle cocoa, smoke, vanilla bean, perfectly integrated oak and silky ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Old vines and true terroir: Juicy and vibrant, raspberry and underbrush, plums, subtle cocoa, smoke, vanilla bean, perfectly integrated oak and silky ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £38.94 What is MIX6?

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    £32.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £43.94 £36.62
    This is truly a wacky wine! The rich red berry fruit on the nose. Fresh and light on the palate with hints of cherries and raspberry fruits. Finish i... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Cotes d'Auvergne
    This is truly a wacky wine! The rich red berry fruit on the nose. Fresh and light on the palate with hints of cherries and raspberry fruits. Finish i... Read More
    BUY 3 for £37.01 £12.34 £30.84 exc VAT £10.28 exc VAT
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    Well balanced and finely scented with elegant black fruit aromas. This is a wine which can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve with another 5 ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Medoc
    Well balanced and finely scented with elegant black fruit aromas. This is a wine which can be enjoyed now but will continue to improve with another 5 ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £26.94 What is MIX6?

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    £22.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £28.94 £24.12
    Superbly balanced and tremendously elegant champagne with a fine depth and flavour. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Superbly balanced and tremendously elegant champagne with a fine depth and flavour. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £49.96 What is MIX6?

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    £41.63 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £55.99 £46.66
    Full and rich with a toasty character, this a truly well made Champagne from this renowned Champagne house. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Champagne
    Full and rich with a toasty character, this a truly well made Champagne from this renowned Champagne house. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £51.95 What is MIX6?

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    £43.29 exc VAT
    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
    As part of a MIX6 £52.94 What is MIX6?

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    £44.12 exc VAT
    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
    As part of a MIX6 £49.94 What is MIX6?

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    £41.62 exc VAT
    18 month oaked Pinot Noir with blackberry and cherry nose, silky mouthfeel and elegantly balanced tannins. Full-bodied and punchy. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    18 month oaked Pinot Noir with blackberry and cherry nose, silky mouthfeel and elegantly balanced tannins. Full-bodied and punchy. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £31.94 What is MIX6?

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    £36.95 £30.79
    A powerful Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine with a palate full of blackcurrants and blackberries that gives way to a subtly spicy finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Medoc
    A powerful Cabernet Sauvignon dominated wine with a palate full of blackcurrants and blackberries that gives way to a subtly spicy finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £24.95 What is MIX6?

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    £20.79 exc VAT
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    £27.95 £23.29
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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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