France is a benchmark wine country, every region with its own clear character and tradition. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Burgundy, lively Loire, fruit-rich southern France, and Bordeaux at the very summit. From all of this, Swirl hand-picks growers who are highly regarded and offer more than their price suggests.
France's main regions
| Region | Grapes and character |
|---|---|
| Bordeaux | Cabernet/Merlot based. Powerful, age-worthy, masters of the blend |
| Burgundy | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay. Refined and delicate |
| Loire | Cabernet Franc and more. Light and fresh |
| Southern France (Languedoc, etc.) | Fruit-rich, great-value reds |
Burgundy's harvest feast, La Paulée
Burgundy has a tradition for the end of the harvest called La Paulée, and the most famous of all is La Paulée de Meursault. On the third weekend of November, Burgundy celebrates Les Trois Glorieuses, the "three glorious days": a Saturday banquet hosted by the Chevaliers du Tastevin at Château du Clos de Vougeot, the renowned Hospices de Beaune charity wine auction on Sunday, and La Paulée as the grand finale on Monday.
The lovely part is that everyone brings a bottle to share. Growers, merchants and enthusiasts arrive at Château de Meursault clutching their finest wines, and around 700 people sit down together from noon well into the evening. It was revived in 1923 by the respected grower Jules Lafon, who brought back the medieval feast in which monks once thanked the workers who tended their vines. Every time I open a Burgundy, I think of that generous, bring-your-own warmth. It is little known in Japan, yet it is the very heart of Burgundy.
Swirl's choice: Bordeaux's small masters
What Swirl leans into right now are accomplished Bordeaux chateaux with strong reputations and solid critic and customer ratings. Not the big names for their own sake, but makers chosen for genuine quality and real value. Among them: Chateau d'Eyssan Haut-Medoc from the Medoc, Chateau Terre Blanque from Blaye Cotes de Bordeaux, and Chateau de Janicon from Graves.
And my personal favourite, the one I have emptied many bottles of at home, is Chateau Rocher Gardat from Montagne Saint-Emilion, a supple, complex Right Bank red made by the owner of the celebrated Chateau Angelus. Well worth a try.
Browse all French wines here.
FAQ
Q. Burgundy vs Bordeaux?
A. Bordeaux centres on powerful blended reds from Cabernet and Merlot; Burgundy is mostly single-variety Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Q. How does Swirl choose its French wines?
A. By the maker's reputation and ratings, and by value that beats the price. Real substance over big names.
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