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: Picasso 'Évasion' Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Sourced fom the beautiful Loire Valley, which is the OG Sauvignon Blanc region, this is a lovely Sauv with better line and length than Glenn McGrath. The wine has pure lines of green apple, lemon and apple blossom, backed up with apple driven through the covers and a touch of pineapple that holds up nicely. 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 Boutinot Grenache Blend 2022 The Rhône Valley has a steep history of producing wine, dating back to the Roman Empire. Today's wines may be quite different from what people drank back then, but then again, a lot has changed over two thousand years. This Domaine Boutinot 'Etude Du Rhône' Grenache Blend 2022 is where the Rhône really hits its straps, with a classic Côtes du Rhône Grenache red blend given a modern polish. Cloves and pepper are dominating the first smell and then as you give the wine a swirl and let it open up, you’ll start to coax out some raspberry and plum notes which add nice weight to the palate.

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.