Quality and elegance have for centuries been the hallmarks of French wines, which play a prominent role on the world wine scene. They are also characterised by an extraordinary variety, offered by the different wine regions that make up the country, from Bordeaux to the historic charm of Champagne.
France delights wine lovers with a wide range of fine labels, including unforgettable reds, whites and rosés.
For those who want to learn more about the wine identity of this country, here is a guide to French wines, their characteristics and recommended food pairings.
France, land of great wines
There is a deep bond between France and wine that is not the result of chance, but of a combination of factors that are expressed primarily in the different terroirs of which the country is composed. The wine-growing regions are numerous, each characterised by specific geographic, geological and climatic features, but only a few have the merit of having given birth to the best French wines... if not international ones!
The main production areas
One could speak at length about all the regions and sub-regions that make up the French wine scene, but it is also possible to ascribe to five of them the largest share of local production.
Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Alsace and Loire dominate production and best represent the essence of the French wine tradition:
- Champagne: home of the French bubbly of the same name and the famous méthode champenoise from which it derives, this region in the north of France has an ancient winemaking history that makes it particularly relevant on the international wine scene. It is characterised by a rather cold climate, which can be a challenge for cultivation, but which is compensated for by predominantly marly and chalky soils that store valuable heat for the plants, usually Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay.
- Burgundy: located in the central-eastern part of the country, it is one of the most important regions for the production of fine red wines with remarkable organoleptic power, the result of the oceanic-continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, not too extreme temperature ranges and a good distribution of rainfall throughout the year. On soils rich in clay and limestone, mainly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are cultivated.
- Bordeaux: this French wine production area, located in the south of the country, owes its rather mild oceanic climate to its proximity to the Gironde. The soils are characterised by a varied composition of limestone, clay, sand and gravel, which give complex nuances to the wines. The most cultivated grape varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.
- Alsace: Home of white wines with a fruity and refreshing bouquet, this region bordering Germany concentrates mainly on the cultivation of Riesling, Sylvaner, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Grigio and Muscat, which are well adapted to the climate, mitigated by the presence of the Vosges mountains and enriched by extremely varied soils composed of granite, chalk, clay, limestone, schist and basalt.
- Loire Valley: a tourist destination full of surprises - its châteaux are renowned - the Loire Valley is also a point of reference for lovers of white wines, which find their greatest expression here. The varieties of Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc (but also Cabernet Franc) grow luxuriantly thanks to the particular terroir, characterised by a continental climate (cold winters, sometimes snowy, and hot summers) and soils composed of flint, chalk and limestone, depending on the sub-zone of reference.
French red wines to try
In such a complex and diverse panorama, it is not easy to identify the best French wines to start a tasting with. However, there are some labels that you can focus on to play it safe and get a significant taste of the wine production of this extraordinary country.
Château La Lagune Grand Cru Classé Haut Médoc 2019
Produced largely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes (with the addition of a smaller percentage of Merlot and Petit Verdot), the 2019 Château La Lagune Grand Cru Classé Haut Medoc expresses the powerful character of Bordeaux reds to the fullest, displaying an aromatic bouquet of great intensity. In the glass, fruity fragrances of blackcurrants and warmer ones of tobacco and chocolate chase each other, creating a symphony of aromas that does not go unnoticed. The same intensity can be experienced on the palate, thanks to a full and structured taste that goes well with dishes with intense flavours.
On the table, it can be served with soft, full-bodied meat pies, but also with main courses such as roast pork, beef ribs, a slice of beef wellington in a crust or rich grilled meats, which this wine supports without ever being overpowering.
Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge 2021
Another emblematic red among the famous French wines, the Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune Rouge 2021 brings the name of the Burgundy wine region to the top, giving diners a tasting experience that is hard to forget.
The Pinot Noir grapes used in purity give this wine an aromatic charge predominantly reminiscent of small red fruits, including strawberries and raspberries, with hints of wild berries. The olfactory examination reveals full and elegant, yet refreshing scents. On the palate it is soft, moderately tannic and well-balanced, ideal as an accompaniment to most meat dishes, from starters to main courses.
For an outdoor picnic or a relaxed garden lunch with friends, try it for example with roast beef sandwiches or mini beef and bacon burgers, or with mixed charcuterie boards, grilled steaks or tasty roasts. In winter, it is excellent with a warm, soft meat stew.
The unmissable French whites and bubbles
Known above all for its production of reds, France has nothing to envy other countries when it comes to other types of wine. Among the best French white wines and sparkling wines, in fact, the most famous bubble wine in the world - Champagne - stands out, as well as other prestigious labels.
Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs
No one knows whether the young Benedictine monk Dom Pierre Pérignon was aware that he was about to change the history of wine forever when he tried to perfect the Champenoise method. Whatever the answer, the world is grateful to him for having contributed to the birth of the quintessential French sparkling wine and its many variations, including Champagne Barons de Rothschild Blanc de Blancs.
Produced in the region of the same name from the Chardonnay variety, this wine enchants the eye with its clear, brilliant colour and aromatic charge that makes citrus and dried fruit its primary aromas, followed by the characteristic soft notes of brioche, obtained from prolonged contact with yeasts. On the palate it expresses great character, starting with a citrus profile and developing a spicy and savoury flavour that conquers the palate.
Excellent to accompany gourmet aperitifs (it goes well with caviar, oysters and fine cheeses), this king of fine French wines does not disdain the most popular dishes, from fish & chips to mini vegetable rustics, from bruschetta to pâté and mushroom-based preparations. It can also be paired with seafood menus, be it a fillet of salmon in a pistachio crust or a slice of simple swordfish flavoured with thyme.
Riesling AOC Alsace 2020
With a bottle of Riesling AOC Alsace 2020, one can experience the winemaking tradition of Alsace while remaining in a very moderate price range.
What impresses from the very first sip is its slightly acidic and mineral profile, fruity on the nose and slightly sparkling on the palate. Elegant and lively at the same time, it is a refreshing caress for the palate, especially when the latter has to do with savoury or mature cheese boards as an aperitif, or with spicy recipes.
It goes hand in hand with Asian dishes, from lentil dahl to Chicken Tikka Masala, from spicy udon with vegetables to uramaki eaten with wasabi.
The best French rosé wines
A review of French wines to try at least once in a lifetime could not fail to include a mention of rosé wines, a variety that is sometimes overlooked, but which manages to express itself successfully in this country thanks to noteworthy examples.
'Rock Angel' Côtes de Provence Rosé AOC 2020
Among France's many wine regions, Provence - with its beautiful landscapes and vast lavender fields - has much to tell wine lovers, starting with its excellent rosés. Its mild, sunny Mediterranean climate and arid, shallow soils give rise to the 'Rock Angel' Côtes de Provence Rosé AOC 2020, a rosé that on the table appreciates the recipes of Asian cuisine, as long as they are not overly spicy or spicy, such as meat or vegetable gyoza, prawn noodles, pad thai or almond chicken.
It goes well with them thanks to its fragrant red fruit aromas and mineral and delicately spiced notes. Lively and harmonious, it stands out on the palate thanks to a refreshing sip and a lingering finish.
'Côte des Roses' PDO Languedoc Rosé 2023
Finally, this review of famous French wines concludes with a wine from the Languedoc, another important wine region located between Provence and Spain, close to the Mediterranean Sea. Characterised by a remarkable variety of soils - composed of silt, sand, clay, schist, limestone and many other types of soil - and a sunny and dry Mediterranean climate, this area is ideal for the production of various types of wine, more than half of which are rosés.
Among these, it is worth trying a glass of 'Côte des Roses' AOC Languedoc Rosé 2023, a young and balanced specimen, which mixes hints of citrus, red fruits and roses in the glass. In the mouth, it re-proposes the same fruity scents, tickling the palate with a remarkable freshness, and goes well with raw fish, sushi and mixed sashimi, but also with tasty aperitif finger food, such as fish & chips, scotched eggs and savoury mini tarts.
After this long journey of discovery of French wines, it's time to move on to tasting: discover the best labels on Svinando!