Again back at you with the best of wines news of France. By the way for the non Romans LXXI is no 73, The wines of France are just super simply awesome and a great tradition. Often imitated, some time equaled ,but never surpass! Therefore, let me tell you about wines news of France, part LXXIII !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Bottling is a traumatic process. Depending on the specific wine, it may need to rest for a varying length of time to regain its qualities. In fact, during bottling, the wine undergoes a temporary shock that can be quite jarring ,a condition known as “bottle sickness.” During this period, most wines are not at their best and often taste poor. Fortunately, this indisposition is only temporary; they regain most of their qualities after a few weeks or months of complete rest. Bottling takes place after the aging process, once the winemaker deems the wine finished. It occurs as early as November for *primeur* wines (such as Beaujolais Nouveau), in January for rosés or wines intended for early consumption, and after several months or years of aging for wines meant for cellaring. Winemakers often bottle the same vintage in several separate batches. Many estates hire specialized bottling companies that come to the property to perform the service using their own equipment.
A vast array of indigenous grape varieties and a wide spectrum of *terroirs* and winemaking styles ranging from sparkling wines to *vins de voile* (wines aged under a veil of yeast) are three assets that Gaillac (sentimental favorite) winemakers creatively showcase. Gaillac winemakers assert their wines’ identity by honoring traditional methods while simultaneously innovating notably by exploring the region’s rich ampelographic heritage. The Southwest region is home to 30% of France’s grape varieties, despite accounting for only 6% of the country’s total vineyard area. The unique nature of Gaillac’s grape varieties perfectly illustrates this diversity. Rare varieties cultivated for centuries now cover two-thirds of the Gaillac appellation’s vineyards: Mauzac, Loin de l’Œil, Ondenc, and Verdanel for the whites; Duras, Braucol, Négrette, and Prunelart for the reds. We prefer those base on Mauzac, Duras, and Négrette,
The 2026 vintage: although the French harvest forecast has been revised upwards, the total volume remains historically low at nearly 35 million hectolitres (mhl), the Ministry of Agriculture reported yesterday Wednesday.October 13 2026, This vintage is expected to be 2% smaller than the already meager 2025 harvest and 14% below the 2021–2025 average, according to estimates from the ministry’s statistics service (Agreste) as of October 1st. According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), which tracks global wine production and consumption data, France had already recorded its lowest production level since 1957 in 2025.
The autumn wine fair is back! And we were ready ! The 2026 wine fairs run from late August to mid-October. Good deals are still to be found, but you have to sift through the options carefully. Interestingly, the average price of a bottle purchased at an autumn wine fair is significantly higher than at other times of the year. Retailers trim their profit margins to offer more attractive prices. However, overall, a certain price leveling is observed, as retailers do not hesitate to match competitors’ prices at the last minute. We strongly recommend comparing prices and stock availability for each AOP wine especially the more expensive ones before buying a bottle from a specific château or estate. Be careful, though: just because certain bottles appear in the wine fair catalog does not mean they are actually on sale. It is worth comparing prices on competing sites. The 2026 wine fairs at E.Leclerc (we try them all and Leclerc is our favorite, they ,also were the founders of this tradition of wine fairs) run from September 29 to October 11, 2026. The national lineup is clear and consistent, featuring 377 wines, 76% of which are priced under 10 euros. The selection focuses on wines for immediate enjoyment as well as fine wines that are ready to drink. The retailer is also reaffirming its commitment to showcasing various wine styles within a single appellation to meet the expectations of diverse consumer groups. Finally, thanks to its network of store owners who are themselves wine enthusiasts, E.Leclerc offers some of the finest wine collections and the most appealing range of choices in terms of diversity. Indeed,
While recent archaeological discoveries suggest that the origins of viticulture and agriculture date back to the same era over ten thousand years ago in the region where the Caucasus, Anatolia, and modern-day Iran meet there is no shortage of nations vying for the coveted title of “historical cradle of wine.” Really does not matter where it started the main thing is that is staying !
With »Le Bateau « and « Les Maladries » two Grand Cru cuvées from the Côte des Blancs Champagne Barons de Rothschild has established a new direction for its product range. Although the Champagne house is young founded in 2005 , it bears a name with a winemaking history spanning generations in the great Grand Cru estates of Bordeaux. Philippe Sereys de Rothschild, Ariane de Rothschild, and Eric and Saskia de Rothschild chose to unite their respective branches under a shared Champagne estate, driven by a simple yet exacting vision: to apply the same level of care to this new territory as they do to the family’s renowned estates elsewhere. Now, twenty-one years later, the House appears ready to take the next step. The most striking sign of this evolution is Le Grand Clos 2019 sourced exclusively from a 52-are walled vineyard or clos in Vertus restored by the Rothschild family, and unveiled in 2025 to mark the House’s 20th anniversary, alongside two brand-new single-plot cuvées: « Le Bateau » 2021 and « Les Maladries » 2021. Both are produced exclusively from Rothschild-owned vineyards located within the Côte des Blancs’ Grand Cru appellations. In Cramant, the Le Bateau lieu-dit (named vineyard site) covers a plot of just 12.15 ares, planted with Chardonnay in 1974. Le Bateau 2021 is floral and mineral in character. On the palate, the attack unfolds with lemony nuances and the expected saline notes, leading into a finish marked by fresh spices, Timut pepper, and a hint of saffron. The Les Maladries 2021 cuvée offers a distinctly different interpretation. The plot, located in Avize, covers 28.12 ares of Grand Cru vines planted in 1938. The winemaking process reflects a quest for nuance: 50% of the wine is aged in oak barrels and 50% in egg-shaped concrete vats for nine months. After 45 months of bottle aging, Les Maladries 2021 was disgorged on April 22, 2026. On the nose, this cuvée asserts a mineral and chalky character, complemented by notes of linden blossom and upon aeration lightly toasted almond. On the palate, the attack is broader and more textured than that of Le Bateau, offering a flavorful substance that evokes chalk. Citrus notes then take over, bringing freshness and length. Awesome discoveries indeed !
A « Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel », Château Malescasse (Haut-Médoc) produces wines capable of rivaling certain Grands Crus Classés. Owned since 2012 by Philippe Austruy whose portfolio spans properties from Peyrassol in Provence to Tenuta Casenuove in Tuscany, this 35-hectare vineyard is planted with 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45.5% Merlot, and 5.5% Petit Verdot. Velvety, broad, deep, and profound, this is the 2022 vintage in all its splendor, unfolding its intense, oceanic character without ever becoming excessive. The vintage’s signature combination of vibrancy and creaminess is evident on the palate: a mouth-coating texture; tannins that are present and plentiful yet finely sculpted; a backbone of fresh acidity; and floral notes (violet) adding extra charm to the creamy fruit. With hints of chocolate and a saline, iodine edge, it hits the jackpot. The finish offers noble, mouth-watering, thirst-quenching, and invigorating bitter notes.
Under the banner of Domaines Henri Martin lie three estates managed by the Triaud family: Château Saint-Pierre (4th Grand Cru Classé, Saint-Julien), Château Gloria (Saint-Julien), and Château Bel-Air Gloria (Cru Bourgeois, Haut-Médoc). The Château Gloria (one of my all time brands) 2022 displays the creaminess characteristic of the vintage. A coating of ripe, fresh fruit airy and immediately flavorful. The palate is superb, elegant, seamless, and delicious, possessing a density that feels both suspended and refreshing. The structure is built on meticulously woven tannins, lending the wine renewed energy and juiciness, along with added substance and a zesty, sanguine character. Delicious. The Saint-Pierre (another nostalgic brand) 2022, There is a beautiful mouthfeel, a tactile quality that is graphite-like, powdery, and precise representing the classic Saint-Julien style enhanced by the vintage’s signature. Juicy, vibrant, elegant, and flavorful, it boasts superb definition with a grainy, almost smoky texture. Such tactile definition and sap-like vitality; it is an almost intellectual wine, possessing depth, length, and persistence. Bravo !
From one bank of Bordeaux to the other, here are two all time brands tried and tasted over the years, reliable, The Château Rauzan-Ségla and Château Canon move in tandem, reinventing a shared legacy through their collaboration while deeply respecting their heritage. Acquired by Chanel in 1994 and 1996 respectively, these two iconic Grand Cru Classé estates are weaving a shared history rooted in exchange and the sharing of knowledge and emotion. On the Left Bank, the Médoc terraces of Margaux; on the Right Bank, the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion. Two exceptional terroirs contrasting yet complementary united by a shared vision for nearly thirty years. Classified as a Second Growth in 1855, Château Rauzan-Ségla stands as one of the finest estates in the Margaux appellation. Located on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, its vineyard spans a mosaic of terroirs that imbue its wines with a rare combination of finesse, structure, and aromatic intensity.The nose opens onto a rich palette, blending noble aromas of cigar box and small red fruits with delicate floral notes of violet. On the palate, the vibrant attack captivates with its great elegance, silky texture, and remarkable persistence. In 2024, Rauzan-Ségla celebrated its 30th anniversary as part of Maison Chanel.
Over on the Right Bank, a world reveals itself through the mist: Château Canon stands majestically overlooking the Dordogne river. Classified as a Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru, it embodies the elegance of this prestigious appellation. Nestled behind centuries-old walls and rooted in an exceptional terroir, Château Canon produces fine wines renowned for their finesse, aromatic complexity, and remarkable aging potential. In pursuit of the purest expression of fruit, Château Canon crafts luminous wines defined by a rare aromatic richness. These creations, marked by great finesse, captivate with their remarkable balance and exceptional capacity to age. In 2026, it will be Canon’s turn to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its acquisition.
There you go folks, another wine episode of my belle France! The wines news from France that is, superbe, sublime, wonderful, gorgeous, enjoy without moderation but accompanying a meal, family table just perfect. See you in the vineyards of my belle France, Again, hope you enjoy the post on wines news of France, part LXXIII !!! as I,
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
