Good white wine and great white wines in France

Characteristics and production of white wine

France is one of the leading producers of white wine. In every region where red wine is grown, white wine is too. Some regions have even made it their speciality — let us cite for example the famous Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc with its distinctive tall elongated bottle. 

White wine is produced from many grape varieties; among the best known are chardonnay, sauvignon and grenache blanc. Among the grape varieties cultivated in the Languedoc, you will also find Bourboulenc, Roussanne, Marsanne, Vermentino (Rolle) and Gewürztraminer.

Each grape variety, carefully chosen and blended, creates the uniqueness of each white wine. Generally, white wine is obtained from white-skinned grapes, which explains among other things its particular colour; it is produced using a vinification

To find out more about white wine.

What is a good white wine?

Some will enjoy it fruity and luscious, others drier and mineral — one thing is certain: there are as many possible combinations as there are wines.

It appears, however, that certain white wines stand out from the rest through their qualities and their rich aromatic profiles. These good white wines are very often the product of biodynamic and/or organic cultivation; their products being purer and better structured, they reveal the full richness of the fruit in its entirety. In France, the Languedoc offers some very good white wines, drawing on blends with lesser-known grape varieties that are nonetheless just as interesting, such as viognier, vermentino and roussanne.

The various estates of Gérard Bertrand possess extremely rich soils that are conducive to the production of good white wines. We can notably mention the very good white wine Château de Villemajou, which has been awarded numerous times for the quality of its organic and biodynamic wine (DEMETER). Full of roundness and expression, with aromas of dried apricot and toasted almond, and a very expressive, highly floral fragrance of hawthorn and broom. 

As well as the famous Aigle royal Chardonnay, from the finest plots of the domaine de l'Aigle. The grapes are harvested by hand using environmentally respectful practices. This very fine wine will delight the palate from the very first tasting.

Finally, if you would like to learn more, visit our article dedicated to the best white wine

To go further on the great wines of the South of France:

Everything you need to know about good red wine, good rosé wine or good orange wine.

Discover the Gérard Bertrand wine company:

Estates specialising in good organic wine and biodynamic wine.

And discover the collections of fine wines by Gérard Bertrand.