Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges Lavieres 2010 750ml

Winery: Faiveley

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir grapes have been cultivated in and around the Burgundy region of France for centuries, where they have long been favored by vintners for their wide range of flavors, their thin skins and for producing wines which have light, smooth tannins, and a beautiful garnet red color Whilst they remain one of the flagship varietals of this special region, their wide popularity and recent status as a fashionable 'romantic' varietal has led to them being planted in almost every wine producing country in the world. However, the Pinot Noir demands a huge amount of care and attention from the wineries that wish to grow it, as this varietal is particularly susceptible to various forms of mildew and rot. Despite this, the grape is otherwise a favorite with wineries for the fact that it requires little extra effort once it begins fermentation. Pinot Noir is also widely known for producing some of the world's most famous sparkling wines, being one of two key grapes for the production of Champagne, and several other sparkling varieties.

Region: Burgundy

In the beautiful French wine region of Burgundy, there is archaeological evidence to suggest that there has been viticultural activity going on for at least two thousand years. To add to this, there are early written records praising the exceptional wines produced in this region dating back to the 6th century, making Burgundy one of the oldest established and still operational wine regions in the world. The region is most commonly associated with fine red wines, with Pinot Noir being the primary grape varietal grown on its rolling hillsides and gently sloping valleys. However, Chardonnay grapes are also produced in abundance for the production of their fine white wines, with both varietals benefiting greatly from the region's warm, hot summers and the superb soils which make up the terroir.

Country: France

French winemakers are subjected to several laws and regulations regarding the wines they produce, and how they can be labeled and sold. Such procedures are designed to increase the overall quality of the country's produce, and also to ensure that wines made in each particular region or appellation are of a character and type which is representative of the area. Thankfully for consumers of wine world-wide, the French have a particularly high reputation to uphold, and seem to do so flawlessly. Every year, wineries from all over France produce millions upon millions of bottles of fine wine, making the most of their native grape varieties and the excellent terrain which covers most of the country. From the expensive and exquisite red wines of Bordeaux and Burgundy, to the white wines and cremants of central France, the French are dedicated to providing the world with wines of the highest quality and most distinctive character.

Appellation: Cote De Nuits

The Cotes de Nuits is a sub-region of France's famous Burgundy region, and is home to many of the world's finest red and white wines. The Cotes de Nuits benefits from the same climatic conditions as in the rest of the beautiful Cote d'Or, which enjoys long, hot summers and warm, dry ripening seasons. The soil of the region is particularly fine for viticulture, and it is enriched by plentiful limestone deposits which help give the Chardonnay grapes the region is famed for their distinctive chalky character. The Romans were the first people to introduce viticulture to the Cotes de Nuits, but ever since those ancient times, the area has been highly productive and dedicated to quality and excellence in the red, white and rosé wines it produces.