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France
The earliest history of French wine goes back to the 6th
century BC, and many of France's regions count their wine-making history to
Roman times. France is the original
source of many grape varieties (such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot
Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Syrah), winemaking practices, and critically
acclaimed wine regions (such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Champagne). French wine plays an important role in French
identity and pride. The combination of French wine and the equally influential
French gastronomy has been an important one.
Two central concepts to high-quality French wines are the
notion of terroir and the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC) system. Terroir refers to the unique combination of
natural factors associated with any particular vineyard. These factors include such things as soil,
underlying rock, altitude, slope of hill or terrain, orientation toward the
sun, and microclimate (typical rain, winds, humidity, temperature variations,
etc.). Even in the same area, no two
vineyards have exactly the same terroir, thus being the base of the Appellation
d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system that has been model for appellation and wine
laws across the globe.
In many respects,
French wines have more of a regional than a national identity, as evidenced by
different grape varieties, production methods and different classification
systems in the various regions. Most
varieties of grape are associated with a certain region, such as Cabernet Sauvignon
in Bordeaux and Syrah in Rhône, although there are some varieties that are
found in two or more regions, such as Chardonnay in Bourgogne (including
Chablis) and Champagne, and Sauvignon Blanc in Loire and Bordeaux. Quality levels and prices vary enormously,
and some wines are made for immediate consumption while other are meant for
long-time cellaring, as French production ranges from cheap and simple table
wines to some of the world's most famous and expensive wines.
MSRP: $160.00
Your Price: $119.99
You Save: $40.01 (25 %)
A full-bodied wine with an attitude. This 2005 performs high-wire acts on the palate. Pure and understated, focused on delivering clean, ripe fruit in a tightly wound package. Wine Spectator rating of 95.
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MSRP: $60.00
Your Price: $41.99
You Save: $18.01 (30 %)
Tons of honeysuckle, apple, white peach flavors. Balanced acidity. From aroma to first sip to mid-palate to finish, this wine just keeps giving. Savor every moment of complexity. Highly recommended, if you can find it.
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MSRP: $89.04
Your Price: $59.99
You Save: $29.05 (33 %)
The 2003 Gruaud Laroses dark plum/garnet color is followed by sweet aromas of damp earth, forest floor, herbs, espresso roast, cassis, licorice, and plums. Rating: 92/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator.
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MSRP: $85.00
Your Price: $55.99
You Save: $29.01 (34 %)
#4 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2008 Delivers lots of body & spice, with lemon tart and cooked apple. Full-bodied, with loads of cream and vanilla and an intense tropical fruit and honey aftertaste. Long and viscous, with a layered and beautiful finish!
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MSRP: $80.00
Your Price: $51.99
You Save: $28.01 (35 %)
"Lots of dried fruits with hints of honey and spices. Full and rich with a thick, sweet, dense palate. Long, refined finish. ...excellent...92-94" WS 03/06.
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MSRP: $70.56
Your Price: $49.99
You Save: $20.57 (29 %)
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate (WA): 92 RP: "Made in a beautiful, elegant, zesty style, the 2005 Malartic Lagraviere offers copious quantities of honeyed grapefruit and other assorted citrus, crushed rock, spring flower, nectarine, and marmalade.
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MSRP: $75.00
Your Price: $50.99
You Save: $24.01 (32 %)
This is a wonderful rare wine which is only available in limited quantities . Usually there are no more than a few bottles in stock and may sell out quickly. Wine Advocate rating of 93 points.
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MSRP: $120.00
Your Price: $79.99
You Save: $40.01 (33 %)
Wine Spectator rating: 96. The Wine Advocate rating: 96.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $24.99
You Save: $15.01 (38 %)
The 2006 is lighter on its feet than the 2005, more immediately read more...attractive, but not without the weight to accompany hearty meat-based dishes. WE Top 100 #24 rating 93/100.
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MSRP: $500.00
Your Price: $374.99
You Save: $125.01 (25 %)
Dom Perignon makes an unparalleled Rosé Champagne and the 1998 vintage is no exception. The house style of Dom P leaves its clear mark on the wine, resulting in a fine balance between the clean, orchard fruit of Chardonnay and quality Pinot Noir.
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MSRP: $40.00
Your Price: $29.99
You Save: $10.01 (25 %)
A touch creamy in aroma, giving way to peach and grapefruit notes. On the lighter side, with floral and herbal elements peeking through. Appealing. Wine Spectator rating 88.
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MSRP: $15.00
Your Price: $10.49
You Save: $4.51 (30 %)
Pale and golden in colour with an abundance of elegant bubbles brings forth floral fruits with a subtle predominance of pear, apple,almonds and hazelnuts. On the palate it is fresh on the opening, smooth, pleasant and balanced.
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MSRP: $350.00
Your Price: $254.99
You Save: $95.01 (27 %)
Mostly floral aromas together with hints of exotic fruit, including mango that introduces exceptionally rich and powerful full-bodied flavors oozing dry extract and this is almost chewy on the strikingly intense finish.
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MSRP: $370.00
Your Price: $269.99
You Save: $100.01 (27 %)
Mostly floral aromas together with hints of exotic fruit, including mango that introduces exceptionally rich and powerful full-bodied flavors oozing dry extract and this is almost chewy on the strikingly intense finish.
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MSRP: $130.00
Your Price: $104.99
You Save: $25.01 (19 %)
"A truly delicious and harmonious wine. Pale gold color, very bright. The aromas bring to mind honey, almond and lemongrass (citronella). As the wine matures, intense flavors of grilled hazelnut and almonds are in evidence".
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MSRP: $75.00
Your Price: $52.99
You Save: $22.01 (29 %)
Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche has a lovely gold green colour. The nose is elegant, with pear, vanilla and apple as the dominant flavours. The wine is well balanced and round with a nice fruity finish. Very long and complex, superb vintage.
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MSRP: $110.00
Your Price: $82.99
You Save: $27.01 (25 %)
Chassagne-Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche has a lovely gold green color. The nose is elegant, with pear, vanilla and apple as the dominant flavors. The wine is well balanced and round with a nice fruity finish. Very long and complex, superb vintage.
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MSRP: $180.00
Your Price: $140.99
You Save: $39.01 (22 %)
Nice. On the palate it is a bit like the Chapuis. Not as structured and rich as the Bonneau du Martray, but the finish is very long and spicy, and with lots of acidity. Very fine wine.
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MSRP: $120.00
Your Price: $86.99
You Save: $33.01 (28 %)
"Brisk pineapple and mineral aromas. Juicy and penetrating, with the vineyard's stony, minerally quality standing in for lower-than-average acidity. The pineapple and musky spice flavors are very rich but classically dry. IWC rating of 93 points.
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MSRP: $450.00
Your Price: $329.99
You Save: $120.01 (27 %)
Full-bodied, with huge breadth of flavor... Robert Parker. A Bordeaux Blanc wine from Bordeaux in France.
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MSRP: $349.99
Your Price: $269.99
You Save: $80.00 (23 %)
Rated: 93(+?) by Stephen Tanzer, Sep/Oct 07.
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MSRP: $279.99
Your Price: $214.99
You Save: $65.00 (23 %)
Cristal, the jewel of Champagne Louis Roederer, was created in 1976 for the Tsar Alexander II of Russia. It remains faithful to its origin, inspired by elegance and purity. Cristal is produced with regimented standards of winemaking; pure excellence!
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MSRP: $25.00
Your Price: $14.99
You Save: $10.01 (40 %)
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Blend
From Chablis
Sparkling Wine using Champagne Method
Wine Spectator 90 points
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