The Vin De France designation has gone from strength to strength, with its slogan – ‘Liberté, Qualité, Créativité’ – perfectly capturing what makes these wines so exciting. ‘Creativity’ is perhaps the designation’s biggest selling feature, allowing fantastic flexibility for winemakers and growers. Providing the grapes have been grown in France then anything goes.
As a result, Vin De France offers producers the freedom and opportunity to craft what they like, as well as to appeal to the latest market demands and trends. Sales in the UK are responding well to this, recording growth from 2024 to 2025, making it a key market for Vin De France wines.
Vin De France producers take this creativity to a whole new level. Whether an innovative fusion of several different varieties, an inspired use of production methods or a cross-regional blend – all of these are possibilities.
Expect to see wines produced from eclectic red blends in addition to key varieties such as Pinot Noir and Gamay. Discover a fresh take on varieties such as Vermentino and Albariño, a pét-nat sparkler, attractive rosés, light-chilled reds, and a discovery orange wine made from Sauvignon Blanc. Vin De France wines offer innovation and deliciousness in the glass.
With the summer approaching, now is a great time to experiment with this exciting designation. Read on to discover a selection of our top picks.
VIVE LA DIFFERENCE: Innovative wines to try
Aubert & Mathieu, Gigi Albariño 2025
92pts
An Albariño which marries the purity and clarity of the grape with weight and power on the palate. Notes of stone fruit, a hint of tropicality, crisp citric acidity, finishing with a long, mineral undertow. Very clean in flavour, very modern in style, plenty to like here. Alc 12%
Famille Fabre, Vin Orange Louis Andrieu Sauvignon Blanc 2024
91pts
Intriguing, appetising orange wine skillfully produced from Sauvignon Blanc. Floral notes, a touch of grassiness and straw, whilst the harsher phenolic notes are very well managed. Nutty, oxidative, zesty, finishing with a saline twist and a hint of camomile. Try it as an aperitif with briny olives and nuts. Alc 13%
Gérard Bertrand, Le Chouchou Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault 2023
91pts
A very appealing blend which is lighter in alcohol and emphasises freshness together with floral, leafy and red fruitdriven flavours. Cinsault adds an extra dimension and lift. Although initially quite sweet on the palate, this finishes with a savoury element, encouraging another glass. Alc 11%
LGI Wines, Alain Grignon Vermentino 2025
91pts
An elegant, refined and classic Vermentino which marries ripeness of fruit with a salty tang, purity of flavour and crisp citric acidity. Fresh and floral on the palate with citrus, yellow apple and a lick of peach. A great accompaniment to seafood but will also drink well as an aperitif. Alc 12%
Lionel Osmin & Cie, Le Roi Boeuf Bazas Merlot, Tannat 2021
91pts
An intriguing blend – deep, brooding and serious colour in the glass, with a lifted note of violet from the Tannat. With plenty of tannin and oak on show, there is enough concentration to allow ageing for several more years. A Vin De France demonstrating the breadth available to winemakers. Alc 14%
Clos Troteligotte, Waz-K Merlot 2023
90pts
Softly sparkling – a pét-nat with leafy raspberry on the palate and lots of interest. Cloudy terracotta in the glass with notes of red fruits. Shows weight and concentration, balanced by crisp acidity, lightly baked red berry notes and a hint of sappy wood in the background. Great with fruity, summery desserts. Alc 12%
Leplan Vermeersch, Leplan GT-Carignan 2023
90pts
Concentrated, brooding Carignan with weight on the palate and dark berry fruits combined with a floral, violet lift. Spice notes on the finish. Sappy, leafy, dark cherry acidity keeps everything in check. Toasty oak adds extra complexity and rounds off the finish. Alc 15.5%
Maison Piron, Coq Léon Rouge Gamay, Gamaret 2025
Imported by Direct Wines
90pts
Deep colour, youthful and bright on the palate. Shows the classic Gamay characters of dark cherry and blackberry fruit, forward acidity and an early, easy-drinking style. Although only 11.5% there's no shortage of concentration or length here. Floral notes add interest on the finish. Enjoy whilst young, fresh and vibrant. Alc 11.5%
WHITES AND ROSÉS
Arnaud Combier, Blanc Sain Chardonnay 2024
Imported by HG Wines Ltd
92pts
A distinctive Vin De France showing plenty of weight on the palate with evident baked fruit aromas. Toasty oak on the nose which complements the lime and lemon characters. Bright, zesty acidity lifts the palate, carrying through to the buttery, warming finish. Finishes with notes of wet straw and a lingering aftertaste. Alc 13%
Fournier Père et Fils, Sauvignon Blanc 2025
92pts
A rich, fleshy style of youthful Sauvignon Blanc with a good combination of fresh acidity, grassy notes of hedgerows and flowers, a hint of bell pepper and a touch of stone fruit. A fresh summer sipper with lovely brightness. Clear varietal character yet good restraint. Alc 12%
Patriarche Père & Fils, Chardonnay 2025
92pts
Rich toasty oak notes and buttery character add to the complexity, coupled with a touch of evolution on the nose. Generous on the palate with a creamy texture, some ripe apricot and yellow peach fruit flavours, cut by crisp citrus acidity. Purity of flavour and a long, lingering finish add further appeal. Alc 12.5%
Saget La Perrière, La Java des Grandes Espérances Sauvignon Blanc 2024
91pts
A Vin De France showing classic Sauvignon Blanc aromas of gooseberry and asparagus, delivering lots of flavour on the palate. Good purity here, plenty of drive with the acidity, and typical greener notes on the palate to balance a hint of sweetness. Alc 12%
Vignobles & Compagnie, Voiturette Grenache 2025
91pts
Very pale, with a fine texture on the palate and bright acidity complementing the fleshy red berry and plum fruit on the palate. Clean, bright, fresh and juicy. Appealing pebbly notes on the finish. A lovely refreshing example. Alc 12%
Delaunay Vins & Domaines, La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc 2025
90pts
This attractive wine will be a lovely summer sipper, showing concentration, purity of flavour, and citrus fruits at the fore. A riper style of Sauvignon Blanc with notes of sweet mango and papaya. Zesty and bright in character with a lingering, sappy, pebbly, aftertaste. Alc 12%
Collection Tramier, Roncier Premium Chardonnay 2024
90pts
Sunny, golden and approachable; plenty of layers of fruit with good concentration and all the components in balance. Fleshy stone and tropical fruit notes. Sappy greenness and evidence of oak on the nose which carries through on the palate. Limey acidity keeps everything fresh on the finish. Alc 13%
Famille Ducourt, Le Rosé de Monsieur Henri Merlot 2025
90pts
An approachable, early-drinking rosé with sweet wild strawberry and raspberry character and fresh strawberry-led acidity. Attractive pale colour. Lovely concentration of red fruit flavours following through on the palate. This will be a perfect match for a warm spring day. Alc 11.5%
Jeff Carrel, Morillon Blanc Chardonnay 2024
90pts
A deep-golden, buttery Chardonnay with notes of sweetcorn and roasted stone-fruit and pineapple, lent balance by the well integrated, gently citrus acidity on the palate. Finishes with a hazelnut and toasted almond finish. A Chardonnay for fans of richer, weightier styles and well-made in this context. Alc 14%
Jeff Carrel, Villa des Anges Cinsault Rosé 2025
90pts
Showing a typical Cinsault hue with a pale salmon-pink hue in the glass. Freshness and restraint on both nose and palate. Quite light in weight, this makes up for that with persistence on the palate. Crisp, cleansing acidity to finish. An elegant, youthful, rosé which will have wide appeal. Alc 12%
Maison Jean Loron, Jean Chardonnay 2025
90pts
Pale gold in the glass, this attractive Chardonnay shows bright, lime-driven acidity which balances the concentrated, yet creamy, palate showing some pineapple and papaya notes. Lifted aromas suggest a cooler ferment. An intriguing style which exhibits layers of flavour and can age for 12 months. Would pair well with baked cod dishes. Alc 13%
Saget La Perrière, La Petite Perrière Sauvignon Blanc 2025
90pts
Bright gooseberry, lime and green granny smith notes on the nose and palate – loads of varietal typicity. The perfect pairing for citrus driven dishes or fatty fish, where the bright zesty acidity will provide the perfect counterpoint. A lighter style of Sauvignon Blanc which will be best consumed over the next 6 months. Alc 12.5%
Famille Bougrier, Pure Vallée Sauvignon Blanc 2025
89pts
Fresh and fragrant Sauvignon Blanc with lifted jasmine and white flower notes on the nose, combining with light grassy character on the palate. Bright limey acidity and a zesty finish add to the enjoyment. And also lighter in alcohol – great summer drinking. Alc 11%
REDS TO TRY
Famille Descombe, Pinot Noir 2024
93pts
Vibrant, juicy and seductively fruit-driven. Plenty of weight on the palate with the acidity to carry the ripeness of fruit. Extra bottle age has added a savoury, slightly smoky, element on the finish. Intriguing and complex – a fine advert for Pinot Noir in the Vin De France category. Alc 12.5%
Collin Bourisset, Pinot Noir L'Incontournable 2025
91pts
Restrained and intriguing once aerated, with an elegant perfume of violets and gentle floral nuances, this is not overly sweet but has plenty of acidity and good concentration. A refined and elegant Pinot which will keep for 12-18 months and be an excellent accompaniment to various foods. Alc 13%
Doudet Naudin, Naudin Père et Fils Pinot Noir 2024
91pts
A wine that retains generosity of f leshy red berry and cherry fruit, whilst moving more into secondary flavour characters of zesty orange, dried cranberry, autumn leaf and hints of mushroom. Intriguing, complex and well made. Bright, crisp acidity keeps the palate on point. Ready now. Alc 13%
Compagnie des Vins d’Autrefois, Jaffelin Pinot Noir 2025
90pts
A fleshy, ripe and generous style, with dark cherry notes evident on the nose and palate. Still youthful, with a light tannic grip on show. Bright acidity keeps everything in check with a briary note on the finish. Lively, crunchy and enjoyable. Alc 12.5%
Maison Jean Loron, Jean Gamay 2025
90pts
Very Gamay in style. Youthful, fruit-forward on both nose and palate with lifted characters of baked dark fruits and spices. Soft and fleshy in the mouth with a generous, smooth texture, balanced by brisk, sour cherry acidity. Alc 12.5%
Maison Ventenac, Le Paria Grenache 2025
90pts
An easy, smooth and generous style of Grenache. Bright raspberry and strawberry in the glass, notes of redcurrant and cranberry and a lovely fragrant perfume, such as dried jasmine flowers. A vibrant wine to be enjoyed in its youth. Alc 13.5%
Aubert & Mathieu, Nuba Grenache & Cinsault 2025
90pts
Hints of whole-bunch maceration add to the appealing, complex nose with notes of black plums, dark cherry and a hint of spice. Forward and fleshy on the palate, marrying juicy, succulent fruit with freshness and a lingering, attractive acidity to keep everything vibrant and crisp. Cinsault adds a floral component. Alc 13%
Famille Descombe, Syrah 2023
90pts
Well-balanced, combining dark berry and cherry fruit, hints of tapenade and good length. Refined and complex – a savoury note rather than sweetness is in evidence here. Still youthful despite time in bottle. Alc 13%
Jeff Carrel, Villa des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
90pts
A powerful, concentrated and ageworthy Cabernet Sauvignon showing varietal character on the nose with green, herbal, bell pepper notes framing the concentrated juicy red and black fruit. Maturing elegantly with subtle oak tannin adding more structure. Complex and lingering on the finish. Alc 14.5%
Saget La Perrière, La Petite Perrière Pinot Noir 2024
90pts
A bright, easy, style of Pinot Noir which, despite an extra year in bottle, is still youthful and full of vitality. Attractive weight on the palate with some leafy notes merging with red fruit. Sappy and fresh on the finish, supported by fine-grained tannins. Alc 13%
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