French Wines

New massive wine fraud case tried in Bordeaux

by  |  30-10-2022 ~ 2 Comments

It has been reported that on Thursday, 27 October, five people were tried in a court in Bordeaux for the falsification of 34,587 hectoliters of French wine (equivalent to around 4.6 million bottles). The wine... more »

Five white wines from Châteauneuf-du-Pape to know right now

by  |  21-09-2022

Who would opt for a Pinot Noir from Coteaux Champenois instead of a zippy, bubbling Champagne? Are there any people who even know that Syrah from Rueda instead of Verdejo is an option? Or maybe... more »

In The Glass: Domaine de Bila-Haut – L’Esquerda 2018

by  |  22-07-2022

My fascination with Roussillon, France isn’t just because it’s the land that was historically Catalunya Nord (Northern Catalunya), but more that it’s neither here nor there. It’s most definitely not Languedoc (to which it is... more »

In The Glass: Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2018

by  |  24-06-2022

It’s not a terribly bold statement to say that blind tasting is challenging. In addition to the wealth of wines around the world and countless ways to vinify the same variety in a different manner,... more »

The state of AOC Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022

by  |  31-05-2022

I’d missed that view of the “Pope’s new castle” seen above. It’s striking in how it lords over the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, making for spectacular photos whether day or night. My longing for it was... more »

Bordeaux 2021, En Primeur

by  |  18-05-2022

After three years away, the world’s wine professionals landed upon Bordeaux this spring for the (previously) annual En Primeur campaign covering the 2021 vintage. The general takeaway? Great estates made great wines. All others, take... more »

In The Glass: Sainte Croix – Celèstra 2015

by  |  12-05-2022

One evening I was rummaging about the cellar and stumbled upon this wine from Sainte Croix in the Corbières AOC of Languedoc, France. It admittedly had been there for awhile as I’d come into possession... more »

Bopping up to Beaujolais

by  |  02-05-2022

I'm always saying that I never drink enough wines from so and so region because it's the truth. I've only one life with one liver. On top of that, where are only so many hours... more »

The state of Faugères 2022

by  |  20-04-2022

If you’re not living in France, Faugères may not be a region that immediately comes to mind. I say this as a massive 87% of their production doesn’t ever leave the country with people very... more »

The only pét-nat I ever loved

by  |  14-04-2022

I don’t have the most glorious of histories with pétillant naturel aka “pét-nat”. In general, most of what I’ve had would be best described as, “rude”. Short in the mouth and yes, fruity, but yet... more »