French wine

French wine is seen as the traditionally better if not the best wine in the world. It is therefore often used by winemakers as a frame of reference for the quality of their own wine. Best of Wines, a specialist in exclusive wine, has been importing French wine since 1907, especially from Bordeaux and Burgundy, as these traditionally produce (some of ) the most beautiful wines.

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Jasper Morris 90
Ballot-Millot
Ballot-Millot - Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Tete du Clos 1er cru 2018 Chassagne Montrachet Morgeot Tete du Clos 1er cru
2018
€ 99,00 (ex Vat) € 119,79 (in Vat) more info
Jasper Morris 90
Domaine Michelot
Domaine Michelot - Meursault 2020 Meursault
2020
€ 46,95 (ex Vat) € 56,81 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Veuve Clicquot
Veuve Clicquot - Arrow Amsterdam Yellow Label Brut NV Arrow Amsterdam Yellow Label Brut
€ 61,94 (ex Vat) € 74,95 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 98
Trimbach
Trimbach - Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile 2018 Riesling Cuvee Frederic Emile
2018
€ 49,50 (ex Vat) € 59,90 (in Vat) more info
Jancis Robinson 17
Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck
Louis Roederer et Philippe Starck - Brut Nature Rose 2018 Brut Nature Rose
2018
€ 94,95 (ex Vat) € 114,89 (in Vat) more info
Jeb Dunnuck 94
Domaine Calendal
Domaine Calendal - Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2023 Côtes du Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu
2023
€ 23,95 (ex Vat) € 28,98 (in Vat) more info
Falstaff 95
Chateau D'Yquem
Chateau D'Yquem - Y de Yquem 2022 Y de Yquem
2022
€ 147,50 (ex Vat) € 178,48 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Aurelien Lurquin
Aurelien Lurquin - Les Forcieres 2022 Les Forcieres
2022
€ 349,00 (ex Vat) € 422,29 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Fraté
Fraté - Savagnin Côtes du Jura 2022 Savagnin Côtes du Jura
2022
€ 59,50 (ex Vat) € 72,00 (in Vat) more info
Decanter 94
Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut
Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut - Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes 2017 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Millandes
2017
€ 59,00 (ex Vat) € 71,39 (in Vat) more info
Burghound 93
Gérard Raphet
Gérard Raphet - Clos de Vougeot 2019 Clos de Vougeot
2019
€ 132,50 (ex Vat) € 160,33 (in Vat) more info
Burghound 91
Domaine Launay Horiot
Domaine Launay Horiot - Pommard Clos Blanc 1er Cru 2020 Pommard Clos Blanc 1er Cru
2020
€ 45,00 (ex Vat) € 54,45 (in Vat) more info
BOW 9
Fraté
Fraté - Meursault Blangny 1er Cru 2022 Meursault Blangny 1er Cru
2022
€ 235,00 (ex Vat) € 284,35 (in Vat) more info
Burghound 91
Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut
Domaine Anne et Herve Sigaut - Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Charrieres 2018 Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru Les Charrieres
2018
€ 75,00 (ex Vat) € 90,75 (in Vat) more info
Jasper Morris 90
Joseph Colin
Joseph Colin - Saint-Aubin Compendium 2021 Saint-Aubin Compendium
2021
€ 44,95 (ex Vat) € 54,39 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 91
Jeremy Arnaud
Jeremy Arnaud - Chablis Sous le Parc 2022 Chablis Sous le Parc
2022
€ 29,50 (ex Vat) € 35,70 (in Vat) more info
Jeb Dunnuck 99
Domaine Ferrando
Domaine Ferrando - Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvée Spéciale Vieilles Clairettes
2023
(Magnum)
€ 249,00 (ex Vat) € 301,29 (in Vat) more info
Jeb Dunnuck 97
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion - Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 2012 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion
2012
€ 219,00 (ex Vat) € 264,99 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 98
Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Chateau Leoville Las Cases - Chateau Leoville Las Cases 2009 Chateau Leoville Las Cases
2009
€ 239,00 (ex Vat) € 289,19 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Vincent Paindavoine
Vincent Paindavoine - Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurières 2022 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Fleurières
2022
€ 269,00 (ex Vat) € 325,49 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Louis Billard
Louis Billard - Saint-Romain 2022 Saint-Romain
2022
€ 109,00 (ex Vat) € 131,89 (in Vat) more info
Rayas
Rayas - Domaine des Tours Reserve Merlot 2010 Domaine des Tours Reserve Merlot
2010
€ 89,00 (ex Vat) € 107,69 (in Vat) more info
Decanter 95
Chateau Angludet
Chateau Angludet - Chateau Angludet 2022 Chateau Angludet
2022
€ 38,50 (ex Vat) € 46,59 (in Vat) more info
Vinous 91
Vincent Girardin
Vincent Girardin - Meursault Les Tillets 2023 Meursault Les Tillets
2023
€ 78,00 (ex Vat) € 94,38 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 93
Domaine du Bouchot
Domaine du Bouchot - Pouilly Fume Caillottes 2022 Pouilly Fume Caillottes
2022
€ 33,02 (ex Vat) € 39,95 (in Vat) more info
Jeb Dunnuck 95
Le Vieux Donjon
Le Vieux Donjon - Chateauneuf du Pape 2020 Chateauneuf du Pape
2020
€ 36,95 (ex Vat) € 44,71 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 89
Adrien Lattard
Adrien Lattard - Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay 2023 Bourgogne Côte d'Or Chardonnay
2023
€ 99,00 (ex Vat) € 119,79 (in Vat) more info
Jasper Morris 88 Sale
Domaine Launay Horiot
Domaine Launay Horiot - Pommard Les Perrieres 2021 Pommard Les Perrieres
2021
€ 45,00 € 35,50 (ex Vat) € 42,96 (in Vat) more info
Vinous 100
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot
Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot - Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot 2022 Chateau Beau-Sejour Becot
2022
€ 89,00 (ex Vat) € 107,69 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 97
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion
Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion - Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Blanc 2023 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Blanc
2023
€ 559,00 (ex Vat) € 676,39 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 94
Chateau Haut-Brion
Chateau Haut-Brion - La Clarté de Haut Brion 2023 La Clarté de Haut Brion
2023
€ 94,95 (ex Vat) € 114,89 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 100
Chateau D'Yquem
Chateau D'Yquem - Chateau D'Yquem 2009 Chateau D'Yquem
2009
€ 449,00 (ex Vat) € 543,29 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 92
Franck Bonville
Franck Bonville - Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs NV Brut Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs
€ 34,95 (ex Vat) € 42,29 (in Vat) more info
Jeb Dunnuck 96
Domaine Giraud
Domaine Giraud - Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre 2023 Chateauneuf du Pape Grenaches de Pierre
2023
€ 64,95 (ex Vat) € 78,59 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 90
Chateau du Tertre
Chateau du Tertre - Chateau du Tertre 2005 Chateau du Tertre
2005
(Magnum)
€ 120,00 (ex Vat) € 145,20 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 100
Trimbach
Trimbach - Riesling Clos St Hune 2019 Riesling Clos St Hune
2019
€ 289,00 (ex Vat) € 349,69 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 98
Chateau Haut-Brion
Chateau Haut-Brion - Chateau Haut Brion 2022 Chateau Haut Brion
2022
€ 649,00 (ex Vat) € 785,29 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Domaine Tempier
Domaine Tempier - Bandol 2024 Bandol
2024
€ 36,95 (ex Vat) € 44,71 (in Vat) more info
BOW 9
Jean-Claude Ramonet
Jean-Claude Ramonet - Corton Charlemagne 2023 Corton Charlemagne
2023
€ 795,00 (ex Vat) € 961,95 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey - Meursault Les Genevrieres cuvee Baudot Hospices de Beaune 2022 Meursault Les Genevrieres cuvee Baudot Hospices de Beaune
2022
€ 369,00 (ex Vat) € 446,49 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Louis Billard
Louis Billard - Meursault 2022 Meursault
2022
€ 139,00 (ex Vat) € 168,19 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Aubry
Aubry - Le Nombre d'Or Campaniae Veteres Vites 2020 Le Nombre d'Or Campaniae Veteres Vites
2020
€ 59,50 (ex Vat) € 72,00 (in Vat) more info
Jasper Morris 95
AF Gros
AF Gros - Richebourg 2021 Richebourg
2021
€ 695,00 (ex Vat) € 840,95 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Helene Beaugrand
Helene Beaugrand - Particules Elementaires Extra Brut NV Particules Elementaires Extra Brut
€ 34,95 (ex Vat) € 42,29 (in Vat) more info
Vinous 96
Rene Engel
Rene Engel - Clos de Vougeot 2002 Clos de Vougeot
2002
€ 1.845,00 (ex Vat) € 2.232,45 (in Vat) more info
Pierre Girardin
Pierre Girardin - Meursault Genevrieres 1er cru 2018 Meursault Genevrieres 1er cru
2018
(Magnum)
€ 389,00 (ex Vat) € 470,69 (in Vat) more info
Domaine Lamy-Pillot
Domaine Lamy-Pillot - Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Créot 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru En Créot
2018
€ 39,95 (ex Vat) € 48,34 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 92
Maison Stephan
Maison Stephan - Cote-Rotie Les Binardes 2018 Cote-Rotie Les Binardes
2018
€ 69,00 (ex Vat) € 83,49 (in Vat) more info
Jancis Robinson 17
Domaine de Montille
Domaine de Montille - Corton Charlemagne 2018 Corton Charlemagne
2018
€ 179,00 (ex Vat) € 216,59 (in Vat) more info
Domaine de la Grange des Peres
Domaine de la Grange des Peres - VDP de l'Herault Blanc 2019 VDP de l'Herault Blanc
2019
€ 299,00 (ex Vat) € 361,79 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 98
Stephane Ogier
Stephane Ogier - Cote Rotie La Belle Helene 2019 Cote Rotie La Belle Helene
2019
€ 269,00 (ex Vat) € 325,49 (in Vat) more info
Francis Boulard
Francis Boulard - Rose de Saignee Extra Brut 2017 Rose de Saignee Extra Brut
2017
€ 39,00 (ex Vat) € 47,19 (in Vat) more info
Agrapart
Agrapart - L'Avizoise Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut 2010 L'Avizoise Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut
2010
€ 119,00 (ex Vat) € 143,99 (in Vat) more info
Chateau de Charodon
Chateau de Charodon - Meursault 2021 Meursault
2021
(Magnum)
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 92
Domaine Tortochot
Domaine Tortochot - Gevrey-Chambertin Champerrier Vieilles Vignes 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Champerrier Vieilles Vignes
2019
(slightly damaged label)
€ 42,95 (ex Vat) € 51,97 (in Vat) more info
Andre Goichot
Andre Goichot - Corton Grand Cru 2020 Corton Grand Cru
2020
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Jancis Robinson 18
Yves Boyer-Martenot
Yves Boyer-Martenot - Meursault les Chaumes 2018 Meursault les Chaumes
2018
€ 99,00 (ex Vat) € 119,79 (in Vat) more info
Remi Jeanniard
Remi Jeanniard - Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2019 Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes
2019
€ 43,95 (ex Vat) € 53,18 (in Vat) more info
Pierre Girardin
Pierre Girardin - Pommard Les Noizons 2018 Pommard Les Noizons
2018
€ 59,95 (ex Vat) € 72,54 (in Vat) more info
Falstaff 93
Pierre Girardin
Pierre Girardin - Corton Le Clos du Roi Grand Cru 2018 Corton Le Clos du Roi Grand Cru
2018
€ 109,00 (ex Vat) € 131,89 (in Vat) more info
Jasper Morris 91
Pierre Girardin
Pierre Girardin - Meursault les Narvaux 2019 Meursault les Narvaux
2019
€ 99,00 (ex Vat) € 119,79 (in Vat) more info
Domaine de la Creuze Noire
Domaine de la Creuze Noire - Saint-Veran Les Colanges 2019 Saint-Veran Les Colanges
2019
€ 14,95 (ex Vat) € 18,09 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 92
Philippe Gonet
Philippe Gonet - Grande Reserve Brut NV Grande Reserve Brut
€ 29,95 (ex Vat) € 36,24 (in Vat) more info
Lucien Muzard
Lucien Muzard - Santenay La Maladiere 1997 Santenay La Maladiere
1997
€ 29,00 (ex Vat) € 35,09 (in Vat) more info
Louis Latour
Louis Latour - Corton Grand Cru 2006 Corton Grand Cru
2006
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 89
Meo Camuzet
Meo Camuzet - Marsannay 2018 Marsannay
2018
€ 39,95 (ex Vat) € 48,34 (in Vat) more info
Jean-Jacques Confuron
Jean-Jacques Confuron - Nuits St Georges Fleurieres 1999 Nuits St Georges Fleurieres
1999
€ 89,00 (ex Vat) € 107,69 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 96
Mugneret-Gibourg
Mugneret-Gibourg - Ruchottes Chambertin 2017 Ruchottes Chambertin
2017
(slightly bin soiled label)
€ 699,00 (ex Vat) € 845,79 (in Vat) more info
Pierre Girardin
Pierre Girardin - Terroir de Coteaux Monthelie 1er cru 2017 Terroir de Coteaux Monthelie 1er cru
2017
€ 37,95 (ex Vat) € 45,92 (in Vat) more info
Wine Enthusiast 94
Faiveley
Faiveley - Gevrey Chambertin Lavaux St Jacques 2015 Gevrey Chambertin Lavaux St Jacques
2015
€ 129,00 (ex Vat) € 156,09 (in Vat) more info
Nicolas Potel
Nicolas Potel - Nuits-Saint-Georges 1ste Cru Les Corvees Paget Hospices de Nuits Cuvee Laurent 1999 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1ste Cru Les Corvees Paget Hospices de Nuits Cuvee Laurent
1999
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Chevigny-Rousseau
Chevigny-Rousseau - Echezeaux 2013 Echezeaux
2013
€ 249,00 (ex Vat) € 301,29 (in Vat) more info
Chateau Les Fiefs de Lagrange
Chateau  Les Fiefs de Lagrange - Chateau  Les Fiefs de Lagrange 2008 Chateau Les Fiefs de Lagrange
2008
€ 32,95 (ex Vat) € 39,87 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 95
Ulysse Collin
Ulysse Collin - Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers Extra Brut 2014 Blanc de Blancs Les Enfers Extra Brut
2014
(60 mois)
€ 489,00 (ex Vat) € 591,69 (in Vat) more info
Domaine Jacques Prieur
Domaine Jacques Prieur - Musigny 1985 Musigny
1985
€ 499,00 (ex Vat) € 603,79 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 94
E.Guigal
E.Guigal - Hermitage 2018 Hermitage
2018
€ 39,00 (ex Vat) € 47,19 (in Vat) more info
Wine Enthusiast 94
Chanson Père & Fils
Chanson Père & Fils - Beaune Clos des Mouches Rouge 2016 Beaune Clos des Mouches Rouge
2016
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Domaine de Belliviere
Domaine de Belliviere - Elixir de Tuf Jasnieres 2005 Elixir de Tuf Jasnieres
2005
(Half Liter)
€ 49,00 (ex Vat) € 59,29 (in Vat) more info
Andre Blanck
Andre Blanck - Schlossberg Riesling Selection Grains Nobles 2000 Schlossberg Riesling Selection Grains Nobles
2000
(Half Liter)
€ 34,95 (ex Vat) € 42,29 (in Vat) more info
Jancis Robinson 17
Peyre Rose
Peyre Rose - Clos des Cistes 2004 Clos des Cistes
2004
€ 119,00 (ex Vat) € 143,99 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 98
Bouchard Pere & Fils
Bouchard Pere & Fils - Montrachet 2020 Montrachet
2020
€ 795,00 (ex Vat) € 961,95 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Domaine de la Grange des Peres
Domaine de la Grange des Peres - VDP de l'Herault 2018 VDP de l'Herault
2018
€ 229,00 (ex Vat) € 277,09 (in Vat) more info
Falstaff 96
Domaine de la Grange des Peres
Domaine de la Grange des Peres - VDP de l'Herault 2017 VDP de l'Herault
2017
€ 219,00 (ex Vat) € 264,99 (in Vat) more info
BOW 8
Domaine de la Grange des Peres
Domaine de la Grange des Peres - VDP de l'Herault 2019 VDP de l'Herault
2019
(Magnum)
€ 399,00 (ex Vat) € 482,79 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 95
Chateau Branaire Ducru
Chateau Branaire Ducru - Chateau Branaire Ducru 2019 Chateau Branaire Ducru
2019
€ 39,95 (ex Vat) € 48,34 (in Vat) more info
Bollinger
Bollinger - Pinot Noir TX 20 NV Pinot Noir TX 20
€ 99,95 (ex Vat) € 120,94 (in Vat) more info
James Suckling 93
Domaines Ott
Domaines Ott - Chateau de Selle 2023 Chateau de Selle
2023
(Double Magnum)
€ 205,79 (ex Vat) € 249,01 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 98
Chateau Rauzan Segla
Chateau Rauzan Segla - Chateau Rauzan Segla 2020 Chateau Rauzan Segla
2020
€ 79,00 (ex Vat) € 95,59 (in Vat) more info
Vinous 89
Chateau L'Enclos
Chateau L'Enclos - Chateau L'Enclos 2010 Chateau L'Enclos
2010
€ 39,00 (ex Vat) € 47,19 (in Vat) more info
Stephane Ogier
Stephane Ogier - Cote Rotie 2019 Cote Rotie
2019
€ 259,00 (ex Vat) € 313,39 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 94
Claude Dugat
Claude Dugat - Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques 2019 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques
2019
€ 298,00 (ex Vat) € 360,58 (in Vat) more info
Robert Parker 96
Claude Dugat
Claude Dugat - Griotte Chambertin 2003 Griotte Chambertin
2003
€ 945,00 (ex Vat) € 1.143,45 (in Vat) more info
Jean-Claude Ramonet
Jean-Claude Ramonet - Saint Aubin En Remilly 2021 Saint Aubin En Remilly
2021
€ 149,00 (ex Vat) € 180,29 (in Vat) more info
Winespectator 92
Jean-Claude Ramonet
Jean-Claude Ramonet - Chassagne Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot 1er cru 2017 Chassagne Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot 1er cru
2017
€ 298,00 (ex Vat) € 360,58 (in Vat) more info
Domaine Berthaut Gerbet
Domaine Berthaut Gerbet - Vosne Romanee Les Suchots 2020 Vosne Romanee Les Suchots
2020
€ 249,00 (ex Vat) € 301,29 (in Vat) more info
Burghound 93
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard
Domaine Fontaine-Gagnard - Chassagne-Montrachet La Romanee 2021 Chassagne-Montrachet La Romanee
2021
€ 119,00 (ex Vat) € 143,99 (in Vat) more info
The best French wines

The best French wines

French wine is seen as the traditionally better if not the best wine in the world. It is therefore often used by winemakers as a frame of reference for the quality of their own wine. Best of Wines, a specialist in exclusive wines, has been importing French wine since 1907, especially from Bordeaux and Burgundy, as these traditionally produce the most beautiful wines.

Thus, the best French wineries come from Bordeaux and Burgundy, although more and more premium quality comes from the Rhone, Loire and Alsace, among other places. And that translates into consumer demand; both red and white French wine is extremely popular. The grape variety is also becoming less important when one opts for exclusive wine. The combination of the chosen wine and the accompanying dish, the wine-food combination, is now also playing an increasingly important role.

And besides the white and red French wine, there is of course also the sparkling French wine: the Champagne.

Best of Wines: Specialist in exclusive French wine

Best of Wines is a specialist in exclusive wine. We look for the best wines worldwide and include them in our collection. Besides wines from Europe, there are wines all over the world that can compete with the best wines from Europe, even though their so-called fine & rare wine culture is of much more recent date. Nevertheless, the wines with the most beautiful terroir characteristics come from France, particularly from Bordeaux and Burgundy. And that is recognised globally: regions such as Cote de Nuits, Cotes de Beaune, Chablis, Pauillac, Margaux, St. Estephe, St Julien, Pomerol and St Emillion are very well known.

Wine estates such as Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Margaux, Chateau Petrus, Chateau Cheval Blanc, Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Joseph Drouhin, Louis Jadot, Faiveley and Liger Belair have a worldwide market.

Regions in France

The history of French Wines

The first vines came to France some 2,500 years ago, probably because of the Phoenicians who brought them ashore in Marseille. The Romans eventually brought the vines further north. A good example of this can be seen at Domaine Drouhin in Burgundy: in their cellars about 20 meters below the ground you can see a completely intact Roman tower.

After a relatively stable growth in wine production over the centuries, population and prosperity growth accelerated in the 19th century after the French revolution. Around 1870, however, came the phylloxera crisis, which caused a period of decline that lasted until the mid-20th century. From the 1960s onwards, new plantings were added and quality was given a big boost. Whereas in 1870 there was 25,000 hectares of vineyard in the Medoc, in 1960 it was only 5,000 hectares. In 1990 it was 13,000 hectares. These new hectares were mainly planted with the aim of producing quality wines instead of simple wines.

In the 20th century, state intervention established rules on the cultivation of wine, the grape varieties to be used and the demarcation of wine regions. These rules were laid down in, among other things, the appelations

Bordeaux wine

What may be called Bordeaux wine?

Wine may be called a Bordeaux wine if it comes from an area that has the Bordeaux appellation. And that is quite a large area. An appellation can range from a general (appellation Bordeaux Controlee) to a very specific one (St Emillion Premier Cru Classe A). An appellation directly indicates the potential quality of the wine.

How long can you store Bordeaux wine?

Bordeaux wines are among the longest-lived wines in the world. Most wines are best in the first 5-10 years after bottling; some wines are only ready to drink after 10 years. That differs per wine. At Best of Wines, we regularly drink Bordeaux wines that are 30-100 years old. Most are still beautiful. In fact, the Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1870 was one of the most impressive bottles we have ever drunk.

Which grape is the most common in Bordeaux?

Most red wines in Bordeaux are made from the grape varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. And Malbec and Petit Verdot are used in small quantities. For the white wines, these are the grape varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. Muscat is also used to a limited extent.

And it will come as no surprise that some of the most expensive wines come from Bordeaux. A bottle of Petrus costs thousands of euros. For a Mouton Rothschild 1945, tens of thousands of euros are paid, and a very old rare Bordeaux, especially in a larger size, passes the hundred thousand euro mark.

Burgundy wine

Burgundy wine

Grand cru wines, what does grand cru mean?

Burgundy wine is in a class of its own. But it is also an art in itself. Whereas every wine region in the world has various wine estates with its own vineyards from which wine is made, the Burgundy wine region has vineyards cultivated by several wine estates: each estate makes its own wine from its share of the grapes. Thus, to know if a wine is potentially good, knowing the Burgundy appellation of the vineyard is not enough. The producer is just as important. In other words: a Grand Cru vineyard (Grand Cru vineyards are the best vineyards) can produce different qualities of wine.

White wine Bourgogne Chardonnay, why is it so popular?

Burgundy is renowned for its white and red wines and is among the best in the world. The white wines are made from the grape varieties Chardonnay and Aligote (to a very limited extent), the red wines are made from the grape varieties Pinot Noir and Gamay. The Chardonnay wines are among the best of their kind due to the terroir: the soil conditions combined with the perfect climate for the Chardonnay. The white Aligote wines are simpler because the grape produces less complex wines.

Major wine producers in Burgundy. What are negociants?

Some wine estates also make wine from grapes they buy from other owners. These so-called negociants can be very large: Louis Jadot and Joseph Drouhin are examples of this. They produce and sell many wines from different appellations and are among the most sold. Contrary to very small estates, such as Liger Belair and J.F. Mugnier.

What are the most expensive Burgundy wines?

Perhaps the most expensive wines in the world come from Burgundy. More than ten thousand euros is paid for a single bottle of Romanee Conti. For an old bottle from a famous year, especially in large format, the price already approaches a hundred thousand euros. The reason for this pricing is that the wine is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful wines in the world and only a few thousand bottles are made every year.

Burgundy has both red and white wines but hardly any rosé wines. Dessert wines from Burgundy are also rare. Organic wine cultivation, however, is very present.

French wine regions

French wine regions

Below you can find an overview of the most important wine regions from France. By clicking on the region, you will navigate directly to the most beautiful wines we have available from that region.

Bordeaux

Burgundy

Alsace

Rhone

Provence

Loire

Champagne

The best French wineries

At Best of Wines we sell wines from the best French wineries. It is extremely hard to make a top ten of the best French wineries, this is largely dependent on your taste.

Besides that, it is also very dependable on the type of wine: red wine, white wine, rosé wine, sparkling wine, dessert wine. And on the grape variety(s) and the terroir: is it a light or heavier wine, is it a white wine, a red wine and so on. But in general, the following wineries can be counted among the absolute top of France (this list is certainly not exhaustive):

Bordeaux: Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Haut Brion, Château Angelus, Château Ausone, Château Cheval Blanc, Chateau Lafleur, Château Pavie, Petrus, Chateau Lafleur, Chateau Le Pin, Chateau D'Yquem.

Burgundy::Domaine Leflaive, Domaine Leroy, Ramonet, Roumier, Liger Belair, D'Auvenay, Raveneau, Dauvissat, Coche Dury, Domaine de la Romanee Conti, Mugnier, Dujac, Meo Camuzet, Ponsot.

Champagne: Krug, Bollinger, Selosse, Salon, Louis Roederer, Veuve Clicquot, Moet et Chandon

Rhone: Guigal, Henri Bonneau, Chapoutier, Jaboulet Aine, ,Clos de Caillou, Rayas

 

French red wine

French red wine

French red wine is made from an extensive range of grape varieties. In addition to the popular grape varieties, each region has its own local grape varieties. But the biggest common denominator is the red wine made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache.

The following wineries can be seen as examples of very renowned red French wine wineries:

Chauteau Latour

Chateau Haut Brion

Chateau Angelus

Chateau Le Pin

Domaine de la Romanee Conti

Meo Camuzet

Comte de Vogue

Armand Rousseau

Etienne Guigal

Chapoutier

French white wine

French white wine

French white wine is made from many different grape varieties. Each region has its own local grape varieties. But the most popular white wines are made from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and, to a lesser extent, Viognier.

The following wineries can be seen as examples of highly renowned French white wine wineries:

Coche Dury

Arnaud Ente

Domaine Leflaive

Chateau D'yquem

Trimbach

Zind Humbrecht

Chateau Haut Brion Blanc

Champagne

Champagne

Champagne is made of three grape varieties: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Champagne is a sparkling, usually white wine, however Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are purple grapes, is it possible to produce a white wine from them? It is! The grapes are being pressed directly after the harvest, so the juice will not remain in contact with the peels. This way the juices will not inherit the red colour.
Most champagnes are a blend of the three aforementioned grape varieties, however there are some champagnes made from just the chardonnay, or the Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. A champagne that is solely made from the Chardonnay is called a Blanc de Blancs, and a champagne made only from the purple grapes is called a Blanc de Noirs.

The following wineries can be regarded as examples of the most renowned champagne makers:

Krug

Moet et Chandon

Bollinger

Selosse

Salon

French grapes and food pairing

French grapes and food pairing

Best of Wines has been working with French wine since 1907. Often we are asked for some culinary suggestions, which is mainly translated if we can tell you what the perfect dish is to drink the wine with. We certainly have these recommmendations and you can always come to us for advise on food pairing. We regularely have themed dinners with our team, making sure to create perfect wine-food combinations. Making these pairings is relatively easy to do good, but extremely hard to do perfect.

The most important guidelines for food pairing can easily be found on the internet. If you have a good piece of meat, you should go for a Cabernet Sauvignon, combine poultry with Pinot Noir, with more elegant meats you should drink Merlot, and combine salmon with Chardonnay. This is still very general however, because also the style of the wine makes all the difference. A Chardonnay that has been aged on wood will be full-bodied and complex, but when you drink a Chablis you will experience more freshness and minerals. These two Chardonnays will combine with completely different dishes. Also, a Bordeaux is a blend of multiple grape varieties, these basic rules hardly apply on a Bordeaux wine.

The most important rule when combine wine and food, is that both should be balanced. The one should not dominate the other. 1 + 1 should not be 2, but 3 when looking for the perfect combination. Both the wine and the food need to enhance eachother, so the food will become better with the wine, and the wine will become better with the food. Best of wines can always offer our expertise to help you find the perfect combination with your dish. Because we have - nearly without exception - drank all wines we have, we know exactly what a wine can offer and what will be the perfect match.

The French Appelations

Each country can enact its own legislation on wine. These include requirements for:

The origin of the wine, the region. If a particular area has very good climatic conditions and/or specific soil (terroir), then it may be a quality characteristic that a wine comes from a particular region.
The grape varieties used. For each area, requirements can be made on which grapes can be cultivated in order to obtain an appellation. Not all grape varieties produce the best results in a given area.
The yield per hectare. The maximum number of hectolitres per hectare shall be fixed.
The minimum alcohol content.
The techniques used in the vineyard and on the chateau. In France, for example, it is not allowed to be irrigated in the face of (extreme) drought. If they do, the grapes may not be used in the wine that the appellation carries.
The inspection of the wines. All wines that receive an appellation must be approved analytically (in a laboratory) and experimental (i.e. by tasting).

In France, wine is divided into three categories:

Appellation Origine Contrôlée (AOC). The wine comes from a certain area. Specific requirements are placed on the making of wine.
Vin de Pays. The wine comes from a certain region, but it is much less demanding than with the AOC wines. For all types of Vin de Pays, the area of origin must be indicated on the label.
Vin de Table. The wine does not come from a specifi ek area (so it can be a mixture of wines/grapes from various areas) and the legal requirements are less stringent than with the Vin de Pays. This is usually a very simple wine.

The distribution in the three main categories mentioned above applies to the whole of France. The main category Appellation Origine Contrôlée is again divided into a number of subcategories. These may vary by wine region.

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