FRANCE AREA: 800,000ha under vine = 1.24% of France = 10% of the world s vines #1 Bordeaux 14% #2 Rhone 11% #3 Loire 6% #4 Languedoc 5% #5 Champagne 4% HISTORY: Marseilles founded by the Greeks in 600BC, introduced the vine - 300AD: Bordeaux and Burgundy first planted - 600AD: Loire and Champagne planted - The Church drives the expansion of viticulture for 100s of years - By 1850 vines were very widely cultivated but huge areas were decimated by American pests and diseases 1850-1900 Facts: LATITUDE: 42-49.5N CLIMATE: Perfect and varied geographical position for quality wine GRAPES: #1 Merlot #2 Grenache #3 Ugni Blanc #4 Syrah #5 Cabernet Sauvignon #6 Chardonnay #7 Carignan #8 Cabernet Franc #9 Pinot Noir #10 Sauvignon Blanc VINEYARD: Growers have had centuries to match grape varieties and viticultural practices to local microclimate (terroir) WINEMAKING: Generally less technically savvy than the New World, centre of world cooperage (barrel making) - commonly used for premium reds and whites PRODUCTION: Produce 47 million hectolitres a year, export 30% = 12bio TREND: Quality vs quantity driven by a fall in consumption from over 100L per capita in 1977 to 42.5L OF INTEREST: Birthplace of the idea of terroir - where a wine s geographical origins define its character First to develop an appellation system in 1923 - whereby a wine s identity is protected by a series of rules and laws Under the Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) system, French growers are the most regulated and restricted in the world French grape varietals have become the dominant international varietals - 6 of the world s top 10 are French!!! #1 Cabernet Sauvignon #2 Merlot #5 Chardonnay #6 Syrah #8 Sauvignon Blanc #10 Pinot Noir www.winedog.co.uk
Larmandier-Bernier: Terre de Vertus, Blanc de Blancs, Non-Dose, Premier Cru 2010 CHAMPAGNE: 34,000ha under vine HISTORY: Originally a still wine, sparkling only took off in 19th C. LATITUDE: 48-49.5N CLIMATE: Cool continental TOPOGRAPHY: 90-300m altitude, predominantly South to East facing slopes SOILS: Majority are based on free-draining chalk and limestone HAZARDS: Frosts, winter vine freeze and wet weather GRAPES: 7 permitted varieties but dominated by: Pinot Noir (39%), Pinot Meunier (33%) and Chardonnay (28%) Region: Côte des Blancs - 3,400ha WHERE: 150km North-East of Paris LATITUDE: 49N SOILS: Chalk, marl and limestone GRAPES: 97% Chardonnay FACT: Best area for Chardonnay within Champagne, especially from the famous Grand Cru villages of Avize, Oger & Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Producer: Larmandier-Bernier - 15ha WHO: Grower Champagne based in Vertus, own plots across the Côte des Blancs VINEYARD: Premier Cru from the Les Barillers and Les Faucherets vineyards VINES: 35 years old, biodynamically farmed GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay WINEMAKING: Ambient yeasts, undergoes malolactic, 4 years on its lees PRODUCTION: Medium - 130,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Brand Grand Cru 2007 ALSACE: 23,000ha under vine HISTORY: 300AD - vines widely cultivated by the Romans LATITUDE: 47.5-49N CLIMATE: Cool continental, but sunny with long hot summers TOPOGRAPHY: Vineyards on Eastern foothills of Vosges mountains = protection SOILS: 20 major soil types! HAZARDS: Little disease due to dry climate, some frost risk GRAPES: 90% White: 4 Noble = Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris & Muscat, also Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner, Chasselas, Auxerrois 10% Red: Pinot Noir TREND: Improved vine clones and winery technology Village: Turckheim WHERE: Key village of the Haut-Rhin area in the Southern Alsace, just west of Colmar LATITUDE: 48.1N CLIMATE: Within the Haut-Rhin - the driest and best protected area of Alsace SOILS: Gneiss and alluvial granite = perfect for Riesling Producer: Domaine Zind-Humbrecht - 40ha WHO: Famous family-run Alsatian producer - founded 1620 VINEYARD: Brand Grand Cru - steep slopes, one of Alsace s best vineyards SOILS: Granite and black mica regolith (scree) = warm and perfect for Riesling VINES: 25 year old, 35hl/ha yield GRAPES: 100% Riesling WINEMAKING: Slow fermentations in old oak foudres, 6 months on the lees PRODUCTION: Small - 5,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) www.winedog.co.uk SCORE: /10
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Domaine des Marnes Blanches Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes 2015 JURA: 1850ha under vine = 0.2% of French vineyards! HISTORY: Vineyard area is just 10% of area 200 years ago (pre Phylloxera) LATITUDE: 46.5-47N CLIMATE: Cool continental TOPOGRAPHY: West-facing 250-450m altitude foothills of the Jura mountains SOILS: Marl and clay based on Jurassic limestone and marlstone HAZARDS: Frost and very cold winters, also wet GRAPES: 50% Chardonnay, Poulsard, Pinot Noir, Trousseau, Savagnin Appellation: Côtes du Jura AOC - 640ha WHERE: 80km long strip East of and parallel to Burgundy, near Switzerland TREND: Increasingly popular alternative to White Burgundy PRODUCTION: On the rise but just 10% exported Producer: Domaine des Marnes Blanches - 10ha = tiny! WHO: Small Organic domaine started in 2006 by a young couple in Saint- Agnes VINEYARD: Organic, white marl soils VINES: 60 years old, harvested by hand GRAPES: 100% Chardonnay WINEMAKING: Ouillé modern style but minimal sulphur use, 18m in old oak PRODUCTION: Tiny - Just one tonneau (large wooden cask) of each wine TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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Domaine Follin-Arbelet Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 1997 BURGUNDY: 28,000ha under vine HISTORY: Vines planted since 300AD, expansion driven by monastic viticulture LATITUDE: 46-48N CLIMATE: Cool (Chablis) to Moderate (Pouilly-Fuissé) continental TOPOGRAPHY: Terroir is KEY! Hills, forests, combes (valleys) SOILS: Based on Jurassic limestone but very diverse HAZARDS: Frosts! (2016), Autumn rain GRAPES: 49% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 8% Gamay, 6% Aligote Region: Côte de Beaune (Côte D Or) - 6,000ha WHERE: Southern section of the famous Côte D Or LATITUDE: 47N CLIMATE: Very varied microclimates, marginal ripening so great vintage variation TOPOGRAPHY: Narrow 50km long escarpment, best on East-facing slopes SOILS: Best mid-slope = stonier, less fertile and more free-draining FACT: Just 2.5ha average holding! Producer: Domaine Follin-Arbelet - 5ha = tiny! WHO: Family domaine in Aloxe-Corton VINEYARD: Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru section of 95ha Corton vineyard SOILS: Clay limestone with pebbles for good drainage VINES: Own 0.4ha of 60 year old vines GRAPES: 100% Pinot Noir WINEMAKING: Old-school - long fermentations in wooden vats, 18 months in barrel PRODUCTION: Tiny - 2,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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Domaine Clos des Cazaux Gigondas La Tour Sarrazine 2006 RHONE VALLEY: 88,000ha under vine HISTORY: Production since AD 71 - mentioned in Pliny s writings LATITUDE: 44-45N CLIMATE: Moderate continental (North), Warm Mediterranean (South) TOPOGRAPHY: Steep sided Rhone Valley (North), flat rolling hills (South) SOILS: Steep and granite (North), clay, limestone and alluvial (South) HAZARDS: Mistral winds GRAPES: 22 varieties! Top 3: Grenache, Syrah & Mourvedre Appellation: Gigondas AOC - 1,200ha WHERE: Southern Rhone, North-East of Châteauneuf-du-Pape LATITUDE: 44N CLIMATE: Warm but cooler than Châteauneuf due to altitude (up to 400m) SOILS: Limestone and clay slopes TREND: One of Rhone Cru AOCs, historically rustic but increasingly modern in style Producer: Domaine Clos des Cazaux - 48ha WHO: 5th generation winemaking family VINEYARD: Own 15ha in Gigondas, near the stunning Dentelles de Montmirail VINES: 30-60 years old, low yields GRAPES: 75% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre WINEMAKING: No oak - 24 months in stainless steel or concrete PRODUCTION: Medium - 130,000 bottles for the whole domaine TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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Château d'aiguilhe Rouge 2010 BORDEAUX: 112,000ha HISTORY: First vinous mention was in the 4 th Century by the Roman poet Ausonius LATITUDE: 45N CLIMATE: Moderate maritime with significant vintage variation TOPOGRAPHY: Very flat, max altitude is 100m SOILS: Gravel on Left Bank, more limestone/clay on Right Bank HAZARDS: Harvest rain, rot, frost GRAPES: 90% Red (Merlot, Cabernet), 10% White (Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc) Appellation: Côtes de Bordeaux Castillon AOC - 1,900ha WHERE: 1 of 4 Côtes de Bordeaux AOCs on the Right Bank of Garonne, Eastern extension of Saint-Émilion SOILS: Mixed - Clay, limestone and alluvial silt, sand and pebbles TREND: AOC of Côtes de Bordeaux only created in 2009 Producer: Château d Aiguilhe - 50ha WHO: Top producer of AOC, bought by Count von Neipperg in 1989 VINEYARD: Only planted on higher, freely-draining, south-facing sites VINES: 30 year old vines on poor limestone soils GRAPES: 80% Merlot & 20% Cabernet Franc WINEMAKING: 3-4 week fermentation in wooden vats, 15-20 months in mostly new oak barrel PRODUCTION: Large 250,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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Domaine Gauby Vieilles Vignes Rouge 2005 ROUSSILLON: 27,000 ha under vine, 10,000ha in aoc HISTORY: 600BC vines introduced by Greeks, ruled 400 years by Spanish LATITUDE: 42.7N CLIMATE: Warm Mediterranean, very sunny 325 days! Hottest and driest region of France, near Spain TOPOGRAPHY: East section of Pyrenees near Mediterranean Sea SOILS: varied: schist, limestone, gneiss and granite HAZARDS: Drought, Tramontane winds GRAPES: Grenache, Syrah, Carignan, Muscat Appellation: Côtes du Roussillon Villages AOC - 2,600ha WHERE: (best vineyards) Hilly sites in Ne of region around River Agly Valley bordering Aude Department CLIMATE: 100-400m altitude, winds dry area producing concentrated wines SOILS: Black schist and clay limestone, often stoney terraces TREND: Great value (min 30% Mourvedre and syrah Producer: Domaine Gauby - 45ha WHO: Started making their own wine in 1985, when Gerard Gauby took over VINEYARD: Up to 300m altitude, Mediterranean influenced, biodynamic VINES: Up to 125 years old, yields are just 20 hectolitres/ha GRAPES: 40% Grenache, 30% Carignan, 20% Syrah & 10% Mourvedre WINEMAKING: Traditional, 24 months in oak PRODUCTION: Small - 18,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) www.winedog.co.uk SCORE: /10
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Domaine Castéra Caubeigt 2015 JURANCON AOC: 800ha under vine = tiny HISTORY: Vineyards classified as early as 14th C. and one of first AOCs LATITUDE: 43.5N CLIMATE: Moderate Maritime - just 100km from the Atlantic TOPOGRAPHY: Steep foothills of Western Pyrenees at up to 300m altitude SOILS: Alluvial clay and sand from mountain rivers, some limestone HAZARDS: Wet with 1,200mm rain! GRAPES: 98% Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng TREND: Increasing recognition for the quality of their sweet wines Producer: Domaine Castera - 15ha WHO: 5th generation estate in Monein, the heart of region VINEYARD: Best South-facing 1.5ha of the 8ha Caubeigt vineyard SOILS: Stony clay but free draining VINES: Grapes harvested late, just 20hl/ha yields GRAPES: 100% Petit Manseng - small and thick skinned WINEMAKING: 8m in oak and on lees, 4m in stainless steel PRODUCTION: Tiny - 4,000 bottles TASTING NOTE: Appearance: Intensity & Colour Nose: Intensity & Aromas Palate: Structure, Intensity, Flavours & Finish (Sweetness, Acid, Body, Alcohol, Tannin) SCORE: /10 www.winedog.co.uk
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