The Hagstrom Report: The Agricultural Service of the Embassy of France in Washington DC, USA, Held a Masterclass to Explore the Richness of French Wines, Led by Annette Schiller (March 2026)

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The Agricultural Service of the Embassy of France last Friday held what it called a “wine masterclass to explore the richness of French wines, featuring selections from Bordeaux, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley.”

To an invited group of diplomats from other embassies, Agriculture Department officials and journalists, Annette Schiller, a wine educator member of the American Wine Society, explained the differences among the French wine producing regions and the differences in quality of the various wines that were offered for tasting. 

France has 12 wine regions, Schiller noted. Many of the vineyards were in the hands of the clergy until the French Revolution in 1789 when they were secularized.

Although tradition is important, French wine making does change over time. One of the notable changes has been the shift from concrete vats to stainless still vats for fermentation. 

Here are a few photos of the afternoon.

A view of the French wine masterclass at La Maison Française, the French Embassy’s event space on the embassy grounds on Reservoir Road in Washington DC

 

Christian Ligeard, the agricultural counselor at the French Embassy, welcomes guests at the wine masterclass. 

 

Annette Schiller, a wine educator from the American Wine Society, leads the class.

 

A summary of the differences among Burgundy, Bordeaux and Rhône wines.

 

 

The first group of wines for tasting: A 2024 Saint-Véran Chardonnay from Burgundy; a 2023 Château Respide-Médeville Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon blend from Bordeaux; and a 2023 Viognier Vignes d'à Coté, Yves Cuilleron from the Rhône Valley.

 

The second group of wines for tasting: a 2023 Santenay Rouge, Domaine Marc Colin et Fils, Pinot Noir from Burgundy; a 2018 Château Mondésir-Gazin, Blaye "Bardon" Merlot-Malbec blend from Bordeaux; and a 2023 Cairanne, Vielles Vignes, Domaine A. Berthet Rayne blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carmignan from the Rhône Valley.

 

The third group of wines for tasting: A 2021 Vosne-Romanée, Dame Juliette, Vielle Vignes, Bernard Rion Pinot Noir; a 2021 Château Brane-Cantenac Margaux; and a 2022 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vielles Vignes, Domaine de Le Prerieure des Papes from the Rhône Valley.

 

At the end of the wine tasting, only corks are left.