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: Domaine Gayda 'T'Air d'Oc' Sauvignon Blanc 2024 From SW France towards Spain, the T'Air D’OC Sauvignon Blanc is a nice balance of old world and new world with some classical French notes in the form of savoury notes and crunchy acidity, balanced with new world Savvy B tones of tropical fruit and a touch of grass. This is your perfect glass to soak up some rays by the pool, in either world! Olivers 'Autour' Rosé 2023 France produces the most famed rosé on the planet, especially in the pale and savoury style. The Autour rosé is a lovely blend of Grenache and Cinsault, which has produced a bright and vibrant wine, with honey, cranberry and raspberry tones that float across the nose on first pour. The wine has a creamy palate with a touch of minerality and spicy edge. Domaine Canet Syrah 2023 The Minervois, in the Languedoc region of southern France, has a long and proud history of red wine production, particularly using grapes like Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault. The Syrah from Domaine Canet is a delicious, bright example, bursting with lifted purple fruit, violets and punchy white pepper. This is modern Syrah at its finest, bright and silky with a touch of grippy tannin.

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.