Evenings

Today, in France, there is a wide selection of so-called "high-end" wines, which can satisfy all palates.

Whether it is red, white, rosé or sparkling, a high-end wine can be found in different French regions. To identify it, you must first taste it and learn to appreciate it. In fact, in each region of France one can find different wines that can meet the consumer's expectations.

The quality of a good bottle of wine is not only a matter of its price. It is also a question of taste and know-how. Of course, the conditions of appreciation of a wine vary according to the person, the culture, and especially the expectation that one has of it.

It is obvious that the Grands Crus of Bordeaux or Burgundy do not go unnoticed on the French wine market. They are also recognized on the international scene.

France is the largest wine exporting country in the world. Indeed, internationally, French wine, a guarantee of quality, is highly appreciated. For example, in China, it is the Château Lafite Rothschild that seduces wine lovers. The Chinese are very interested in this wine and even raise the price.

In Provence, we find the Château Virant; an exceptional domain, where you will find a rich range of wine. In our selection you will find an option for every palate, every character and every personality. It is with professionals that you can try to find the bottle that corresponds to you, the one that suits you and meets your expectations.

The Grand Cru appellation is one of the appellations of the AOC.

The AOC defines a geographical origin. It is completed by a strict specification with rules of cultivation, vine pruning, harvesting methods, means of breeding, up to storage and marketing. Its purpose is to protect the product given its geographical origin and its manufacturing methods.

AOCs are made up of appellations: regional, sub-regional, departmental, communal zone,^1er Cru and Grand Cru.

The Grand Cru appellation was established in Bordeaux in 1855. It is a sub-category of the AOC, which is the highest appellation in the AOC classification scale. It is an appellation defined by decree based on precise criteria: the cru designates the terroir where the vineyard is located. This area is qualified as the best of the parcels.

The AOC Grand Cru represents 1.12% of the production of AOC (excluding vin de pays and vin de table).

To obtain the title, the wine must be made in a harmonious way.

AOC Grand Cru can be found in only 5 regions:

• In Burgundy, the AOC Grand Cru are names of climates like Chablis, which represents 7.9% of the production of Grand Cru.
• In Alsace, the appellation is authorized for 51 climats and only the grape varieties: Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Muscat, Pinot Gris, with 30.63% of the production of Grand Cru.
• In Bordeaux, the appellation is only present in the commune of St-Emilion
• In the Loire, the only Grand Cru AOC is Quarts-de-Chaume
• In Languedoc-Roussillon, there is only one Grand Cru, the Banyuls Grand Cru. It is a sweet and natural red wine.

In Champagne, only 17 communes are classified as Grand Cru.

The price of a bottle of wine is defined by taking into account the supply and demand on a competitive market, the cost of production and the desired profit.

The price of a bottle of wine can vary from 3 to several tens of thousands of euros. Sometimes, the criteria for setting the price are not only based on its quality.

In fact, several criteria intersect, notably the terroir, the domain, its size, the rarity of the wine, its flavors, and its reputation, which is a guarantee of quality. Prestigious and sought-after appellations such as Champagne or Pomerol increase the value of the bottle. Several French estates that have acquired a reputation for luxury sell their bottles for several thousand euros. There is a real work done by the wine growers to maintain the quality and the reputation of the great domains.

The conservation of the wine also plays a role, because the bottle becomes an object of collection. Indeed, a wine for ageing could be more expensive to buy because it increases in value over the years, depending on the vintage. Some wine lovers prefer to invest in bottles, which they consider to be works of art. The price of these bottles can go very high.

The methods of production, harvesting and vinification also play a role in determining the price. Here, mechanization, age of the vine, yield, and winemaking techniques are criteria to analyze.

The price of a bottle of wine can increase if it has won a prize or an award in a competition.