Exploring Excellence: 5 Acclaimed French Wines Fit for Champions

1. Château de Tracy Pouilly Fumé 2022  ($79)

Location: Loire Valley, France
Accolades: The Sauvignon Blanc Masters Gold, Decanter 2016; Bronze, Gilbert & Gaillard 92 pts

From the prestigious vineyards of the Loire Valley comes this outstanding Pouilly Fumé. The estate boasts a long winemaking history, with records dating back to 1396. Owned by the d'Assay family for centuries, the current lineage continues to uphold the tradition of producing top-quality wines, emphasising the expression of their exceptional terroir. Crafted from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, the Pouilly Fumé 2022 exudes elegance with crisp acidity and a mineral edge, featuring pale straw, citrus and green apple and a palate of grapefruit and herbs. Ideal with poultry, we recommend pairing the Pouilly Fumé 2019 with the gold-star Singaporean dish, Hainanese chicken rice, to elevate your dining experience to a golden standard.

2. Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire 2022  ($66)

Location: Northern Burgundy, France
Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 91 pts

Jean Marc Brocard is a revered winery nestled in Burgundy's Chablis region, boasting a heritage spanning generations. Its vineyards, nestled in the renowned Kimmeridgian soils, exclusively cultivate Chardonnay grapes. Embracing organic and biodynamic principles alongside traditional methods, Jean Marc Brocard employs stainless steel fermentation to craft wines that are notably crisp, mineral-driven, and eloquently expressive. At an accessible $66, this exceptional Chablis is celebrated for its pure expression of Chardonnay, faithfully reflecting the essence of its terroir. With its vibrant acidity, scents of citrus and white blossom and a palate of lemon and green apple, the Jean Marc Brocard Chablis Domaine Sainte Claire 2022 is a refreshing party wine for champions.

3. Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf du Pape "Les Galimardes" 2019 ($199)

Location: Rhone Valley, France
Accolades: Robert Parker 97 pts

Moving to the sun-kissed vineyards of the Rhone Valley, this Châteauneuf du Pape is a blend of 90% Grenache from century-old vines, aged in concrete, with 10% Syrah, aged in used barriques. Full-bodied, rich and velvety, with a lingering, spice-inflected finish, the wine is a black-fruited beauty, with notes of blackberries, black cherries, black licorice and black olives. A signature wine from Domaine Giraud, the family estate it originates from is known for wines with structure, elegance and age-worthiness, offering rich, concentrated flavours balanced by natural acidity and tannins that often garner high praise from critics and connoisseurs alike. Bring this to your next Olympic viewing party, and it’ll be sure to impress your friends and family. 

4. Domaine Giraud Châteauneuf du Pape "Les Grenache de Pierre" 2020 ($199)

Location: Rhone Valley, France
Accolades: Robert Parker 97 pts

Yet another gem from Domaine Giraud, the 2020 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Grenaches de Pierre earned an impressive 97 points and was hailed as "another prodigious effort" by Joe Czerwinski, Managing Editor of Robert Parker Wine Advocate. Gorgeous aromas of stone fruit and ripe cherries mingle easily with intricate notes of garrigue and pine needles in a wine that's somehow full-bodied yet ethereal on the palate, with a long, tart, almost cranberry-ish finish. With its silky texture and complex flavours, it exemplifies the artistry of winemaking that parallels the dedication of Olympic athletes.

5. Château La Nerthe Clos de Cuvee Cadettes Châteauneuf 2017 ($229)

Location: Rhone Valley, France
Accolades: Wine Enthusiast 96 pts, Wine Spectator 95 pts

Last but not least, we have the Château La Nerthe Clos de Cuvee Cadettes Châteauneuf 2017, a blend of Rhône varietals that delivers intensity and complexity with notes of blackberry, leather, and spice, reflecting the pinnacle of winemaking excellence. The winery's vineyards, bathed in the Provençal sun, are primarily planted with classic Rhône grape varieties like Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. Château La Nerthe's winemaking process follows traditional methods, including ageing in oak barrels, resulting in wines that are robust, complex, and expressive. This bottle is best served with a cheese platter or a classic red-meat dish such as steak.