So French So Good

French wines - the original and the best

France is a big deal in the wine world. Like much of northern Europe, much of France’s wine industry was nearly decimated in the nineteenth century due to the vine louse phylloxera. When it was discovered that American rootstock was immune to the bug, vineyards in the most popular regions were grafted over and recovered rapidly. In 1855, Emperor Napoleon III requested a classification system to be developed to identify Bordeaux’s best wines. The so-called first through fifth "growths" or crus was a highly subjective designation but is still in place today with only a few small changes. On top of this system, the AOC or appellation d’origine côntrollee is based on the idea that food and wine products from a specific place need protection to ensure quality and prevent fraud. The French adopted this system in the 1930s. Top French wines command some of the highest prices in the world today from collectors with deep pockets, especially from the legendary regions of the BBC (Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne). For this pack, we're dipping our toes into French wines with a few classical styles of flavour and interest!

3 proper French wines to try

In this special pack you'll enjoy: Arborescence Colombard Blend 2024 Côtes de Gascogne and the Colombard variety are more synonymous with Armagnac than table wine, however the white wines from this region are delicious. The ‘Arborescence’ is filled with citrus and apple notes as well as a touch of pear drop sweetness, yet still completely dry and perfect for sunny days. Palais de Versailles Sparkling Brut NV France inarguably produces the most famous sparkling wine on the planet. Fresh, fizzy and full of flavour, this sparkling wine hums with citrus, apple and gentle floral notes. A playful touch of sweetness keeps things smooth, this number is perfect for clinking glasses and starting the party right. Château Rampeau Bordeaux Blend 2018 This is a soft and rounded Bordeaux blend (a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot!), complete with drying tannins and a silky mouthfeel. It is a classic example with cedar, cigar box and quite a savoury profile which is offset nicely by some dark berries coming through. This is an absolute bargain, so get in quick.

Interesting to note

France isn't just famous for wine; it's also the biggest and most important source of wine barrels. The oak forests of central and northern France are like household names for winemakers (they include Allier, Limousin, Nevers, Tronçais, and Vosges), and the French coopers (craftspeople who make oak vats) also revered for their celebrated barrels.