Here are a few of our favourite French wines that are not from Boredueax!
Angelica Nohra
Wine Importer | Wine List Consultant | Speaker
Did you know that 70% of people's 'favourite' French wine brands are all from Bordeaux? I mean, that's great...I mean, I wouldn't turn my nose up at any of the first growth Chateaux! Nothing gets my heart pumping with excitement more than a Margaux, Pauillac or seeing the words Pétrus or Château d'Yquem on a bottle but there is soooo much more to French wine and I wanted to focus today's blog on some of our favourites outside of Bordeaux.
Southern Rhone
Marrenon Winemakers of Luberon & Ventoux.
Marrenon is special because it makes up 1200 winemakers and viticulturists all within a UNESCO heritage listed National Park. It's a stunning region to visit which we highly recommend. Their wines are consistently awarded bronze medals and above at wine shows and by wine critics. As they have access to so many vineyards, they can choose the best of the best to go into their single vineyard wines like Petula Rosé, Orca Grenache (which comes from 60 year old vines) and the Syrah du Monde winner, Gardarem. Yes...one of their wines have taken out the Best Syrah in the World a few times now....
Champagne
Henri Abelé, Reims
Look, Champagne and me are incredibly close friends. It is hard to choose my favourite out of so many but I'm going to be a little bias and say Abelé is my baby. It's my fav. (I also LOVE Charles Heidsiek). Abelé takes the cake for me in terms of story and value for money though. It doesn't get much better than being able to tell people this Champagne was served on the Titanic and was the pioneer of the frozen disgorge method. I also love how they 'dress up' the vintages. Very cool collectors items. I also believe drinking Champagne out of Magnum is the only way to go.
Burgundy
Louis Max
Maison Louis Max was founded in 1859, in Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the heart of Burgundy, a region renowned worldwide for its exceptional terroir. They have a commitment to preserving their land for future generations: Domaine Louis Max in Mercurey and Rully is one of the largest organic Domaines in Burgundy. They use only natural fertilizers, indigenous yeasts only and no chemicals additives in the wines. Their labels are beautifully designed, the wines are perfection and the story is wonderful. I highly recommend you try them.
Alsace
For White Wine lovers, it's impossible to go past Alsace. Over 90% of Alsace wines are made from white grape varieties. Aromatic and balanced with impressive acidity and structure, these wines are remarkably food friendly. They are ALL good. Riesling. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris. You can find them all in Alsace. I can't even choose a favourite producer but if you do come across it, Michel Fonné is delicious.
So give something other than Bordeaux a try. You can find a few of the above wines at our website and otherwise, really good wine retailers!
Try some of the wines mentioned above!
Henri Abelé Champagne NV Brut
Made from the best crus in Champagne, Brut Traditionnel is ready to drink after three years of ageing under ideal conditions, away from light and variations in temperature.
Marrenon Gardarem AOC Luberon
World's Best Syrah Competition 2015 - Voted Number 1 Syrah in the world!
Made from 3 isolated plots with unique terroirs with both clayey and very rocky, deep soils. The exceptional exposures on these plots favour the grape ripeness. 50 year old Syrah vines.
18 month maturing in 100% new oak barrels especially brought in from Nadalié, French cooper who made a unique "Colbert" selection. Very old oak trees in the Tronçais forest!
