France

• Alsace
• Bergerac
• Bordeaux
  • Barsac
  • Bordeaux Supérieur
  • Margaux
  • Graves
  • Haut-Medoc
  • Listrac
  • Pauillac
  • Pomerol
  • Saint Emilion
  • Saint Estephe
  • Saint Julian
  • Sauternes
• Burgundy
  • Beaujolais
  • Bourgogne
  • Chablis
  • Côte de Nuits
  • Mercurey
• Cahors
• Champagne
• Cognac
• Corsica
• Gascony
• Jura
  • Arbois
• Languedoc-Roussillon
  • Minervois
• Loire Valley
  • Bourgueil
  • Jasnières
  • Muscadet
  • Mont Louis
  • Sancerre
  • Saumur
  • Savennières
  • Touraine
  • Vouvray
• Rhone (Rhône)
  • Châteauneuf-du-Pape
  • Cornas
  • Crozes-Hermitage
  • Gigondas
  • Hermitage
  • Lirac
  • Saint Joseph
• Provence
  • Bandol
• Savoie
• Tavel

When I think of wine that is interesting, unique, obscure, high-value, and small-production, I think of Borgueil – the small wine region in France’s Loire Valley that produces almost exclusively Cabernet Franc.

2007 is going to be a very important vintage for U.S. wines in the international marketplace. This very well might be the year with the most significance on that front since the famed 1973 vintage, one in which California gained credibility across the globe as Chateau Montelena (Chardonnay) and Stag’s Leap (Cabernet Sauvignon) out-dueled the French in the famed 1976 ‘ Judgment of Paris ’ tasting.

I am a Francophile of sorts. I adore all things French – wine, cuisine, and haut couture, in that order. My distinct pleasure is to introduce you to my first adoration on the list, the wine regions of France. Welcome to Vin de Francais 101. Bonjour, mon amis, et a votre sante! as we journey throughout France to “experience” why She is the undisputed mistress of wine.

There are few people who have thought harder or more comprehensively about where the French wine industry has been and where it is heading than author Andrew Jefford. In his book, The New France , Jefford delves deep into seemingly every angle of importance regarding French wine. The reviews have been uniformly exceptional.

Many wine lovers have come to have an intimate appreciation for grape varietals like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s no secret that many French wines are supremely developed blends, as well as one-grape standouts, but what does remain mysterious are those lesser-known, succulent grape varieties that create the foundation for many a fabulous creation. It’s time to pay homage to a few of the red and white grapes that help make France one of the most marvelous wine regions in the world.

Sauternes 2009 91 D/H 2008 88 D/H 2007 93 D/H 2006 88 D/H 2005 90 D/H 2004 88 D/H 2003 91 D/H 2002 89 D 2001 99 H 2000 87 D 1999 88 D 1998 85 D 1997 88 D 1996 89 D 1995 82 D 1994 81 D 1993 75 D 1992 68 D 1991 73 D 1990 95 D/H 1989 92 D/H 1988 95 D/H 1987 77 D 1986 95 D/H 1985 88 D 1984 78 D 1983 83...

Southern Rhone 2009 95 H 2008 88 D 2007 97 H 2006 91 D/H 2005 93 D/H 2004 90 D/H 2003 90 D/H 2002 55 D 2001 97 D 2000 94 D 1999 90 D 1998 96 D 1997 85 D 1996 88 D 1995 80 D 1994 82 D 1993 71 D 1992 78 D 1991 70 D 1990 92 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific...

Northern Rhone 2009 93 H 2008 87 D 2007 88 D/H 2006 90 D/H 2005 89 D/H 2004 87 D 2003 96 D/H 2002 77 D 2001 90 D 2000 88 D 1999 95 D/H 1998 92 D 1997 90 D 1996 88 D 1995 89 D 1994 86 D 1993 70 D 1992 78 D 1991 91 D 1990 93 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific...

Champagne 2003 86 D 2002 94 D/H 2001 86 D 2000 88 D 1999 89 D/H 1998 90 D/H 1997 89 D 1996 97 D/H 1995 93 D 1993 88 D 1992 90 D 1991 89 D 1990 94 D 1989 93 D 1988 94 D 1986 88 D 1985 88 D 1978 91 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of specific knowledge about a bottle or...

White Burgundy VINTAGE RATING STATUS 2009 90 D/H 2008 87 D/H 2007 92 D/H 2006 90 D/H 2005 94 D/H 2004 90 D 2003 85 D 2002 93 D/H 2001 90 D/H 2000 88 D 1999 89 D 1998 86 D 1997 85 D 1996 92 D/H 1995 90 D 1994 81 D 1993 80 D 1992 94 D Vintage Charts should be used for a generalized guide in lieu of...