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french wine scholar

Insider's Guide: Jura - Past, Present & Future

How to Watch You can find these videos in the WSG Community at the links below. Part 1 - Past Part 2 - Present

Insider's Guide: Marsanne vs Roussanne - Great Whites of the Northern Rhône

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary When most people think of the great grapes of the Northern Rhone they’ll think Syrah and Viognier. But we really shouldn’t overlook these other two fine varieties - they are

Insider's Guide: Pairing Jura Wine with Food

How to Watch You can watch this interview on our community pages here Summary 'Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something.' - James Bond, 'From Russia with Love', 1963 Leading French somm Philippe Troussard might have a thing or two to

Insider's Guide: Rotundone and Dusted - Cracking the Code of Syrah's Spice

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary In this interview we’re joined by Matt Walls, one of the world’s leading experts on the wines of the Rhone, to answer all your questions on this hot topic! We discuss what the peppery smell on Syrah is

Insider's Guide: Stems in the Rhône - Viticulture, Winemaking and Wine Expression

Watch Here You can watch this video in our community space here Summary Should you use whole bunches to make great Syrah? What does it add? Actually, what is it at all?!? We’re once again delighted to be joined by Matt Walls to discuss this really important part of the

Insider's Guide: Vin Jaune - Lifting the Veil

Where to Watch You can watch this interview on our community pages here Summary In this interview, we discuss everything you need to know about the Jura’s greatest wine. We discuss the stories surrounding its creation, where to find the best examples, why it comes in its unique

Insider's Guide: Visiting the Jura

How to Watch? You can watch this session on our community space here Summary Have you ever fancied a trip to the Jura but don’t know where to start? We caught up recently with Jura afficionados Manon Gallet and Phelan Burgoyne to discuss all the things you need to know to plan a wine trip

Insider's Guide: White Grapes of the Jura

Where to Watch You can watch this Insider's Guide Interview in our community space here Summary In our final interview with Philippe Troussard, we discuss the amazing potential and versatility found in the white grapes of the Jura. Of course Philippe mentions the great Vin Jaune, but he also explores the

Loire Valley: from Muscadet to Sancerre

Summary: The vineyards of the Loire Valley follow the twists and turns of France's longest river, from the Atlantic coast to the Paris Basin. The region boasts the largest number of French white wine AOCs and also produces increasingly sought after reds. This webinar will explore the distinctive terroirs that define the grapes of each sub-region, look at the historical context and present winemaking trends that define

Making Sense of the Numbers

Every wine appellation in France has a cahier des charges, a set of regulations that delineates the production zone and specifies viticultural practices and production standards. In many instances, a single cahier des charges references one zone of production and multiple wine styles within it (e.g. Lirac red, white, and rosé; Rasteau dry red, plus red, white and rosé Vins Doux Naturels). Some single cahiers also incorporate complementary geographic denominations or dénominations géographiques complémentaires (DGCs) such as Languedoc Montpeyroux or Bourgogne Hautes Côte de Nuits. Other times, very different wines can be grouped under one single cahier as is the case for Beaujolais, Beaujolais Supérieur, Beaujolais + Named Commune, and Beaujolais-Villages.

Matt Coleman, FWS

Congratulations Matt Coleman, FWS for passing the French Wine Scholar exam with honors! Matt Coleman is General Manager and Sommelier at Crossings Restaurant in South Pasadena, CA. Matt is pursuing his wine education with the 

Old Vines: Solutions for the Future

WSG is proud be the first Educational Partner of The Old Vine Conference. Read more to find out how this dynamic non-profit organization is actively creating a global network of old-vine disciples while raising awareness through education.  The economic and social relevance of old vines is real, but the structure of the global wine industry stacks the odds against the regenerative commercial viability of old vines. The result is that healthy old vineyards of cultural resonance and unique qualitative potential are lost because they can’t be made to pay.  The Old Vine Conference is a non-profit organisation whose aim is to bring together a global network to create a new category for wine from heritage vineyards. The Old Vine Conference works to safeguard old vines of cultural and ecological value by connecting, educating and inspiring the global wine industry through conferences, research, partnerships, tastings and fieldtrips.
Château at sunset in Pécharmant wine region
A château at sunset, Pécharmant.

Shades of Blue: The Charming Hills of Pécharmant

“You always remember Pécharmant,” observes Benoit Borderie of Château Poulvère. “Once you've tried it, you seek it out.” This niche French wine is not quite famous, not entirely secret, but what the French call "confidential."

Tasting Room: Authentic Bordeaux

Watch Here You can find this video in our community space here Summary What comes to your mind when you think about Bordeaux? Is it carefully manicured fairytale Chateaux of the left bank? The 1855 classification? The First Growths? These prestigious wines garner much of the attention, but only

Tasting Room: Red Grapes of the Jura

Where to Watch You can watch this tasting video in our community space here Summary Poulsard, Pinot Noir and Trousseau make up the trio responsible for the best red wines of the Jura. One of those is probably familiar to you, but the other two are firmly off the beaten track!

Tasting Room: What Makes a Great Wine?

Watch Here You can find this recording in our community space here Summary In this month’s Icon tasting, I get to try one of the Northern Rhone superstars, Domaine JP Jamet’s Cote-Rotie from 2011. It got me thinking about what it takes to elevate a
Sunlit patchwork of Beaujolais vineyard slopes and villages, showing rolling hills that define the crus’ granite-rich terroir
© Beaujolais Wines/Etienne Ramousse

The 10 Crus of Beaujolais: What Do They Share? How Do They Differ?

Over the past 20 years, the restoration of Beaujolais has been one of the great success stories in French wine. For decades it was best known for simple Beaujolais Nouveau, rushed out for consumption on the third Thursday of November every year, but the hullaballoo around this marketing stunt is now dissipating as the potential quality of its cru wines draws the spotlight.

The 2022 Vintage in France by Andrew Jefford

The 2022 vintage was, in general, a great year for France. Weirdly. Look at the data. It shouldn’t have been: the gauges for both drought and heat were often flashing red. What happened?
Winemaker carefully inspecting a bottle in a dimly lit Jura wine cellar, symbolizing precision and tradition in French winemaking

The Heart of a Sommelier: Passion, Precision and the Pursuit of Emotion 

In the world of wine, the sommelier holds a position of both reverence and responsibility. More than just a connoisseur, a sommelier is an interpreter of terroir, a storyteller of vintages and above all a master of human connection. Philippe, a world-renowned sommelier from France's Jura region, spoke with WSG’s Founder and President Julien Camus recently, with rare authenticity about what defines excellence in this noble craft. 
Snow-dusted vineyards of Domaine Saint Germain in Savoie, French Alps, reflecting the alpine terroir of the wine region
Winter in Domaine Saint Germain. Laurent Fabry

The Heights of Wine: Discovering Savoie’s Alpine Offerings

Despite its location in the French Alps, Savoie has long been overshadowed by its more famous neighbors. Yet with its distinct grape varieties, alpine terroir and rich viticultural heritage, this niche French region—bordering Switzerland and Italy—offers a taste of all that makes wine captivating.

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