Your Guide to Fine French Wine and Spirits

Explore the beauty of France's wine country and get to know the people who produce some of the most exquisite wines and spirits on Earth.

Importer Charles Neal

Charles Neal, an author and importer based in San Francisco, California, is a leading authority on single-estate and bottled French brandies as well as numerous wines produced in France.

Throughout this website and in his books, Charles takes you on a tour of France where you'll meet grower producers, learn about the geographic features that make each region unique, and find tasting notes.

Natural Distilled French Spirits

The producers of Armagnac, Cognac and Calvados that you'll read about here create some of the most natural brandies available, made without the usage of boisé, sugar, or caramel. They are hand-bottled directly from cask in extremely limited quantities.

Fine Wines from France

In addition to these spirits, Charles imports wonderful wines from nearly all the French wine regions. He specializes in wines from southwestern France, Bordeaux, central France (Loire Valley and Burgundy), Champagne, eastern France (Jura mountains, Beaujolais, Bugey and Savoie), and wines produced from France's Rhône Valley (northern Rhône and southern Rhône).

Charles has sought out and brought attention to wines from relatively unknown appellations like Madiran, Cahors, Jurançon, Gaillac, Fronton, Marcillac, and Béarn, as well as the unheralded Alpine crus of Chignin, Arbin, Apremont, Ripaille, and Marestel.

By law, Charles Neal Selections can only import and distribute wines and spirits to licensed wholesalers, retail stores and restaurants. But you can use this site as a guide to choosing the finest wines and spirits from France from your local retailer or favorite five-star restaurant.

Additionally, enjoy a guided video tour of the brandy-producing regions of France in the four-part documentary, Beyond the Snifter.

Bon voyage, and thank you for your interest in Charles Neal Selections!