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
    • 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
    • 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 p... 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 p... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £44.94 What is MIX6?

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    £37.45 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £51.94 £43.28
    • 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
    • France
    • Burgundy
    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
    • France
    • Burgundy
    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
    • 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 £48.95 What is MIX6?

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    £40.79 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £55.94 £46.62
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A beautifully balanced white Burgundy with an expressive bouquet of honey, brioche and vanilla on the nose and palate. The long and silky finish bring... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A beautifully balanced white Burgundy with an expressive bouquet of honey, brioche and vanilla on the nose and palate. The long and silky finish bring... Read More
    Single 75cl bottle
    £585.00 £487.50
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Saint-Emilion
    A glorious, elegant red displaying sweet red cherry and raspberry that give the wine brightness and lift. The aromatics are intriguing, complex and in... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Saint-Emilion
    A glorious, elegant red displaying sweet red cherry and raspberry that give the wine brightness and lift. The aromatics are intriguing, complex and in... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £24.85 What is MIX6?

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    £20.71 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £28.60 £23.83
    • 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
    An absolutely stunning white Burgundy from the renowned Chateau de Blagny. Expect expressive aromas of honey, peach, and toasted almonds. Extremely el... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    An absolutely stunning white Burgundy from the renowned Chateau de Blagny. Expect expressive aromas of honey, peach, and toasted almonds. Extremely el... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £80.56 What is MIX6?

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    £67.13 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £83.59 £69.66
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Haut-Medoc
    A beautiful and intense claret with red fruits, vanilla and spice on the nose which follow through to the full bodied palate that has a wonderful rich... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Haut-Medoc
    A beautiful and intense claret with red fruits, vanilla and spice on the nose which follow through to the full bodied palate that has a wonderful rich... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £14.00 What is MIX6?

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    £11.67 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £16.00 £13.33
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Haut-Medoc
    A bold, elegant wine which offers an intense, fresh bouquet with a hint of spice, red fruits and cherry. Balanced by well structured tannins on the pa... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Haut-Medoc
    A bold, elegant wine which offers an intense, fresh bouquet with a hint of spice, red fruits and cherry. Balanced by well structured tannins on the pa... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £14.00 What is MIX6?

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

    £11.67 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £15.98 £13.32
    • 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 £48.95 What is MIX6?

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

    £40.79 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £55.94 £46.62
    • 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 £53.94 What is MIX6?

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    £44.95 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £56.94 £47.45
    • 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
    • South of France
    Fresh and juicy with complex notes of almond and grapefruit on the nose and palate, joined by soft vanilla on the finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • South of France
    Fresh and juicy with complex notes of almond and grapefruit on the nose and palate, joined by soft vanilla on the finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £14.46 What is MIX6?

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    £12.05 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £16.60 £13.83
    • 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
    This characterful red displays rich, dark and spicy aromas adorned with lighter hints of floral and wood notes. Rich in the mouth, yet perfectly balan... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    This characterful red displays rich, dark and spicy aromas adorned with lighter hints of floral and wood notes. Rich in the mouth, yet perfectly balan... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £42.55 What is MIX6?

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    £35.46 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £48.49 £40.41
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A stunning, one of the fuller-bodied red Burgundies showcasing powerful notes of wild cherries and blackberries, expressing a beautiful balance betwee... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A stunning, one of the fuller-bodied red Burgundies showcasing powerful notes of wild cherries and blackberries, expressing a beautiful balance betwee... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £65.56 What is MIX6?

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    £54.63 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £70.55 £58.79
    • 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
    • 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 £39.55 What is MIX6?

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    £32.96 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £44.59 £37.16
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A Village more famouse for its reds. This sublime silky Pinot Noir has refined elegnance with a savoury long finish. Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    A Village more famouse for its reds. This sublime silky Pinot Noir has refined elegnance with a savoury long finish. Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £35.57 What is MIX6?

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    £29.64 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £40.49 £33.74
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Pale-yellow in colour, this soft and delicate Macon has an expressive bouquet of citrus fruit and honeysuckle which is then complimented by notes of s... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Pale-yellow in colour, this soft and delicate Macon has an expressive bouquet of citrus fruit and honeysuckle which is then complimented by notes of s... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £27.55 What is MIX6?

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    £22.96 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £29.00 £24.17
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Graves
    A beautiful deep garnet with an evocative nose exhibiting red berried fruit and dark chocolate. It is soft and round which gives a mouth filling palat... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Bordeaux
    • Left Bank
    • Graves
    A beautiful deep garnet with an evocative nose exhibiting red berried fruit and dark chocolate. It is soft and round which gives a mouth filling palat... 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
    • Burgundy
    Golden yellow in colour with green tints; the nose shows fresh apple and pear, with nutty aromas, and the palate is rich and round with well-balanced ... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Golden yellow in colour with green tints; the nose shows fresh apple and pear, with nutty aromas, and the palate is rich and round with well-balanced ... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £74.99 What is MIX6?

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    £62.49 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £82.99 £69.16
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Brilliant ruby red with vibrant aromas of cherries and red fruits. These characters follow through on t the palate with a touch of spice. A beautifull... Read More
    • Origin
    • France
    • Burgundy
    Brilliant ruby red with vibrant aromas of cherries and red fruits. These characters follow through on t the palate with a touch of spice. A beautifull... Read More
    As part of a MIX6 £36.55 What is MIX6?

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    £30.46 exc VAT
    Single 75cl bottle
    £41.95 £34.96
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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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