Buy French Wine
When most people think of countries that produce great wine, it’s not long before France springs to mind! French wine is incredibly popular and well respected across the globe. Whether it’s down to the skills of the winemakers, the terroir in which the wine is produced, the climate or a combination of factors – the reputation the French have as world leaders of fine wine is well earned.
From deep, hearty reds and dry whites to fresh, fruity rosés and sparkling champagnes, there are so many great wines to choose from that it can be hard to decide. Our French wine specialists have carefully hand selected each and every variety listed on our online shop to deliver a wide range of fabulous wines for every budget and occasion.
Winemaking In France
The world’s top exporter of wine, France boasts a rich heritage in winemaking that goes back centuries.
To date Frances grapevines cover a remarkable 750,000 hectares of land, which to put into perspective is the equivalent of 1 million rugby pitches. From big wine producers to independent, family run and boutique vineyards, over 12.2 million ‘hectolitres’ of wine are produced in France every year made up of almost 3,000 varieties.
All these numbers are impressive in themselves but there’s a reason why France is known for its wine and why it is so high in demand and that is one simple thing – the taste. For centuries, the grapevines that occupy much of France have been expertly cultivated, nurtured and refined to produce some of the best, most diverse and celebrated wines in the world.
How To Choose French Wine To Buy Online
One of the things that people outside of France can find difficult when it comes to choosing French wine is understanding their wine labels and this is largely due to their appellation system.
The Appellation d’origine contrôlée as it is called, or ‘AOC’, has special laws which dictate how and where wine can be made in specific regions which is designed to protect and preserve the prestige, heritage and origins of its wines.
When trying to decipher a French wine bottle, remember that they label their wines by region and not the variety of grape so the clue as to what grapes are used can be found by the name of the wine appellation.
French wines produced outside of this system are known as Vin de France wines which forgo the prestigious label that comes with working with the AOC in order to have the freedom to experiment with their wines, often with superb results.
If you are looking to buy French wine online but don’t know what to choose then get in touch and one of our experts will be happy to help talk you through the options and answer any questions you may have.
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A beautiful sombre red Bordeaux with deep purple tints. Generous, complex bouquet, with notes of blackcurrant and blackberry clearly discernible with a hint of spice in the background. The impression on the palate is one of a creamy, smooth wine with fine length and structure thanks to beautifully balanced tannins.
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Out of stockPurplish red tinged with ruby. On the nose, a seductive bouquet of black and red fruit, combined with discreet notes of under-wood and liquorice. In the mouth, open and balanced in the attack with notes of liquorice and strawberry, and a well-rounded finish hinting on jam.
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Brilliant pale straw colour with hints of green around the edges. The nose shows pear, lime and green apple aromas infused with fresh herbs over a stony mineral background. Nicely textured with a rounded pebble stone like feel in the mouth, fresh pear and lime flavours sit over a bed of garden herbs and wet slate. Finishes dry and minerally with refreshing acidity on the medium to long aftertaste.
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Maison Cadet has carried its wine-making know-how through the generations for over 200 years, creating a mark of authenticity. Established in the Rhône Valley since its creation in 1818, Maison Calvet proudly reveals its coat of arms on its selection. With a beautiful purple colour with violet reflections, this greedy and complex wine reveals notes of red and black fruits, sweet spices and scrubland. On the palate it offers a touch of roundness and generosity, with velvety tannins. Ideal with a rib of beef or a cheese platter. 14% vol.
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Pale lemon in colour. On the nose flinty floral aromas combined with abundance of exotic fruits and lemongrass. The palate opens with a mass of grapefruit, peach and blackcurrant, underlying passionfruit and balanced acidity, finishing fresh and clean with lasting smokiness and rich lingering fruits.
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Mid straw with pale gold and green hues. Lifted, fresh citrus with fruit hint of peach and apricot mingle with lightly honeyed notes. Citrus and peach come together nicely for this medium-bodied food-friendly wine with hints of oyster shell minerality, zest and a little spice flowing through to the finish.