By country :: France
Alsace If you love excellent food you must pay a visit to Alsace, an oft-overlooked region. I discovered Alsace and Strasbourg whilst undertaking my military conscription in Germany and it is worthy of a detour. It is a beautiful region with a unique and strong identity.As well as the usual food pairings with Foie Gras or Asian food, Alsace wines are excellent alternatives to crisp Chablis or aromatic Sauvignons from the Loire or New Zealand, particularly with shellfish and white fish. Alsace wines also go brilliantly with rich pork and chicken dishes.Richard There are 10 products in this category.
BeaujolaisA summer barbecue in the sunshine with good friends is the perfect accompaniment to a light, fruity, very slightly chilled Beaujolais. Gamay is undoubtedly the region's flagship grape variety, although a small amount of white Beaujolais is also produced, using Chardonnay or Aligoté. The vast majority of Beaujolais should be drunk in its youth, and its juicy fruitiness comes from a process during vinification known as carbonic maceration, which encourages the fruit flavours, rather than tannins, to the fore. There are certain Beaujolais, however, that do show the ability to age wonderfully. There are five different classifications of Beaujolais: Beaujolais Nouveau, Beaujolais, Beaujolais Supérieur, Beaujolais-Villages and 10 Beaujolais Crus. There are 5 products in this category.
BordeauxAs a UK-based wine merchant, introducing France's and quite possibly the world's most famous wine region is an interesting exercise. There is no doubt that the development and rise to fame of Bordeaux owes a lot to the UK. The Aquitaine region (to which Bordeaux belongs) was part of the English kingdom for a long time and only became French at the end of the Hundred Years War. However, English, Irish, Scottish and even Dutch merchants continued to establish themselves in Bordeaux, buying properties, improving viticulture, drying the marsh lands of the Medoc and planting new vineyards. The names of Châteaux such as Lynch-Bages, Smith-Haute Lafitte and Cantenac-Brown are testimony to the strong Anglo-Irish heritage in Bordeaux. The connection between Bordeaux and Leith, where our premises are located, is also very strong. Not only was Leith the main Scottish port for centuries, but the Auld Alliance between France and Scotland was also in existence. Recent excavations near the Vintners building in Leith (where 18th Century bottles of claret have been found) have unearthed remnants of a 16th century French garrison which came with Mary Stuart when she landed in Leith. Top Bordeaux wines continue to fascinate wine lovers from around the world. Their production has not increased but interest in them has done so dramatically, particularly with the developing Chinese and Russian markets. The 2005 'gold rush' increased the prices for cru classés immensely. Dominant grape varieties here include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc. In this section I have selected Bordeaux wines that will not result in bankruptcy. These wines offer excellent value for money. Lastly, I would like to dedicate the Bordeaux section to the late Edward Kuriansky who left us last April. Ed was a huge fan of French wines and he particularly loved top Bordeaux. As a close friend, he conferred to me his passion for good wines and also inspired me to achieve my dream and become a wine merchant. I hope he would have been proud of my choices in this section.PhilippeThere are 10 products in this category.
BurgundyIf there is one region in the world that epitomises the concept of terroir it is Burgundy. You only have to travel 10 miles along the N74 between Nuits St Georges and Puligny to witness the disparity of exposure, soil and topography between the vineyards. If one is to think of how people in every country and many regions have accents that characterise them, then the same is true for wines; a Burgundy wine (love it or hate it) has its own 'accent' that simply cannot be mistaken for any other. 2005 was a wonderful vintage for most regions in France, and Burgundy was no exception. The 'En Primeur' craze in Bordeaux in 2005 can be likened to a tidal wave, and the effects of it were felt in Burgundy. The demand for Burgundy wines increased dramatically, and it was hard for some producers to resist the temptation to increase prices. Many Burgundy wines are therefore very expensive, but although 2006 is not as fashionable as the famous '05' that took the world by storm, the first signs are very promising. It is also generally agreed that the 2004 vintage is starting to show some fantastic results, despite the fact that initially some wine critics perhaps underrated it.RichardThere are 33 products in this category.
ChampagneI was very privileged to become an ‘old boy’ when I spent a week in the summer of 2006 at the Champagne Academy in Reims. It was an amazing opportunity to devote time to enhancing my knowledge of Champagne by tasting incredible Champagnes from the 16 ‘Grandes Marques’. My hope of celebrating with more Champagne the result of the World Cup Final was unfortunately destroyed by my compatriot Zidane who had other ideas! True Champagne is unique and is prized around the world. l’Art du Vin has decided to introduce a wide range of wines from this region, from small independent producers offering quality at entry level, such as Dangin, to the prestigious Grandes Marques like Pol Roger, Dom Pérignon, Krug or Ruinart. These wines need no introduction. l’Art du Vin is particularly delighted to represent the family-owned and independent Maison Dampierre. Under the control of the Comte, the quality and consistency of the Champagne produced offers excellent value for money. Santé! PhilippeThere are 21 products in this category.
CorsicaAlthough Corsica actually lies closer to Italy geographically, she is undoubtably influenced most by France in terms of wine. Relatively little of the wine produced in Corsica is exported, but its reputation is steadily growing. The three main grape varieties planted here are Nielluccio, Sciacarello and Vermentino.There is 1 product in this category.
JuraJura lies immediately to the east of Burgundy, and shares many of the same climate characteristics as its neighbour to the west. The region's local varieties, namely the distinctive Savagnin and Poulsard, are its best ambassadors. Other vine varieties found here include Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Trousseau, a fairly rare local grape.There is 1 product in this category.
LanguedocThis region is perhaps one of the most talked-about wine regions over the last 10 years and rightly so. It is the largest wine region in the world, and in terms of vine growing, it is also one of the most ancient, with evidence of winemaking dating back to Antiquity. However, recognition for its status as a quality winemaking region is a fairly recent thing. Thanks to effort invested by skilful and modern-minded producers, new appellations sprang up in the 1980s. Using indigenous grape varieties such as Carignan and Grenache (although this originated in neighbouring Spain) together with an understanding of the region's various terroirs, Languedoc producers create unique and interesting wines. In addition, they have embraced modern winemaking techniques perhaps better than anyone else in France, judiciously using grape varieties such as Syrah, Mourvèdre or Viognier from other regions with similar climates. Furthermore they have been able to use international grape varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay etc.) and make fruit-driven and affordable wines. These wines are perhaps closest to what the New World has to offer. Some genuine stars have emerged, with estates such as Mas Julien and Daumas Gassac leading the way. I am particularly delighted and proud that l'Art du Vin represents Mas Cal Demoura, which belongs to the rare category of what some now refer to as the 'Super Languedoc'. Languedoc, as well as being one of my favourite wine regions, is also a region where food reminds me of my native Lyon. Wholesome, peasant-like and hearty, the food in the Languedoc is also about the terroir. When one talks about Languedoc food, you simply must mention Cassoulet-a typical regional dish that uses pork sausages, duck, goose, haricots, beans and goose fat. Toulouse, Castelnaudry and Carcasonne are the self-proclaimed capitals of Cassoulet and they each have their own version. For me the best Cassoulet is one accompanied by a glass of Corbières from Château Haut Gléon. Bon appétit! PhilippeThere are 16 products in this category.
LoireThe Loire river is France's longest, and it connects some of the country's most majestic châteaux, once the playground of the French élite. In fact Touraine claims to be the birthplace of the national language. Some of France's most well-known representatives such as Sancerre, Pouilly-Fumé and Saumur lie within the boundaries of the Loire Valley. It is geographically situated on the very limits of commercially viable viticulture, and so one of the wines' trademarks is relatively high acidity. It is a very varied region, and can seem quite complicated at times in terms of names and labels. Generally speaking, the Loire can be divided into three main parts; the upper Loire, which plays host mainly to Sauvignon Blanc vineyards, the middle Loire, which is the Loire's most diverse viticulturally, and the Muscadet region, which sits around the mouth of the Loire river and is distinctly oceanic. Grape varieties planted in the Loire valley include Gros Plant, Melon de Bourgogne, Pineau d'Aunis, Grolleau, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Gamay, Côt, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir, to name but a few. RichardThere are 19 products in this category.
ProvenceProvence's reputation as a wine-producing region has been gathering speed recently, and while its principal ambassador is undoubtedly rosé, there are now a good deal of impressive reds around too. It is the sunniest and driest region in France, and because of this the region does not suffer from many of the fungal diseases that affect other areas. This makes it very well suited to organic viticulture, a methodology and philosophy we always endeavour to champion. Varieties that flourish here include Grenache, Cinsaut, Carignan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tibouren and Rolle.There are 7 products in this category.
RhoneThe Rhône valley can be divided into two separate wine regions, the northern Rhône and the southern Rhône. The northern Rhône, running from Côte Rôtie to St. Péray, generally produces small quantities of very fine wine, partly due to the vertiginous and labour-intensive slopes that characterise the area. Syrah is the dominant grape variety here, while in the southern Rhône it takes less of a starring role in the spectrum of varieties cultivated. The southern Rhône possesses a much more extensive vineyard than that of northern Rhône, and Châteauneuf du Pape is the southern Rhône's best-known appellation, followed perhaps by Gigondas, and the region's most popular grape varieties are Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. These appellations need little introduction however, renowned as they are the world over.People from Lyon, myself included, regard it as the gastronomic capital of France. Lyon epitomises the real French food culture; wholesome, hearty and simple. The secret to Lyon's food culture is the 'bouchon'. Bouchons are simple, busy and atmospheric restaurants where food is often served in large dishes for people to help themselves. The time and effort invested in the enjoyment and creation of good food and wine is evident in the resultant quality of both!PhilippeThere are 27 products in this category.
RoussillonRoussillon, despite often being hitched nominally to the Languedoc (Languedoc-Roussillon), has its own unique scenery, culture and viticultural history. Traditionally it products are rich sweet wines, namely Banyuls and Maury; however the region is now producing increasingly noteworthy unfortified wines. Roussillon's main grape varieties are Grenache, Grenache Blanc and Muscat.There are 3 products in this category.
SavoieSavoie is an alpine region home to a rich tapestry of local grape varieties such as Altesse (also known as Roussette), Jacquère, Mondeuse, and Chasselas. Savoie produces much more white wine than red or rosé, and typically its wines are light, refreshing and crisp. There is 1 product in this category.
South-west of FranceDuring the Middle Ages, Northern French, English and Dutch traders based in Bordeaux used the fluvial transport abilities of the Lot and the Garonne rivers to bring in wine made in the Gaillac region. In a constant search to improve their profit margins, these traders soon realised they could dispense with the middle man and grow vines themselves in the Bordeaux region. The rest is history, and Bordeaux went on to become the most famous wine region in the world! Grape varieties cultivated in the south west include, amongst others, Tannat, Negrette, Fer Servadou, Gros and Petit Manseng, and Mauzac. So, having seen that viticulture has been around for a lot longer in this region than it its more famous counterparts, I have endeavoured to return to the roots of winemaking in this section, and in doing so present wines such as Madiran, Gaillac, Marcillac and other lesser-known appellations. My 'Coup de Coeur' in this region has to be Domaine de Cabidos, which has now developed almost a cult-like status. The Cabidos wines are unique and definitely add another dimension to any wine list. I am particularly biased to Cabidos as I had one of the most memorable meals of my life there. The mother of the owner (who is half Scottish and half French) made us the most amazing Tarte Briochée au Foie Gras (from the farm geese) with a glass of Cabidos nectar - the closest I have ever been to heaven!RichardThere are 10 products in this category.
