The world of fine French wine can at first glance seem impossibly complex and probably a bit intimidating – the jargon surrounding appellations, vintages, AOC’s and AOP’s, grape names and varietals. All of this has its place, of course, but to get maddeningly lost in trying to use the “right” terms and “proper” terminology is to completely lose sight (and taste) of the spirit of this incredible elixir. The beauty of the best French wines, for me at least, is in the fact that human hands have put years, even generations, of gentle adoring love and labour into raising each bottle, like bringing up a (rather tasty) child. It’s the fact that two vintages of the same wine can taste so drastically different, thanks to the whimsy of the changing seasons, that mother nature’s profound effect on the grapes and the soil is beyond the realm of human control but also part of the changing beauty of each bottle. One vintage’s sun-drenched sultry summer might produce a full-bodied, fruit-driven wine, while the next vintage’s sprightly, cooler year might result in a tarter, more acidic offering.
It’s precisely this – the seasonality, regionality and most importantly the humanity behind each glass that is the real beauty of a good French wine; these are real people, real farmers and vignerons. With each sip you’re tasting generations of knowledge and practice, you’re tasting the human quest to forge intimate connections with the land, soil and terroir, you’re tasting a work of sippable art that spans lineages and centuries. If all this has you ripe and ready to start downing jeroboams of wine, let’s get started with a deep dive into the world of the best French wines.
Explore more with our selection of the best things to do in France, wine-tasting included.
Types of French Wine
France is home to over 200 indigenous grape varieties and is the source of many of the most iconic: from Sauvignon Blanc to Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay to Malbec and Merlot. French wines are classified primarily based on the region where they’re produced, which reflects the specific grape varieties used, the distinct terroir from which the wine originates, and the traditional winemaking practices of that area.
Best wine regions in France
The pulsing, beating heartbeat of the best French wines is the terroir to which they belong. Wine regions across France are home to different terroirs that shape the qualities and characteristics of the wines they produce –oftentimes, the terroir of one vineyard can be completely different to the vineyard right next door in the very same region. The concept of terroir is actually quite poetic – it’s the “sense of time and place” that it gives a wine owing to the complex interactions between factors like soil conditions, climate, microclimates, topography, terrain and even local winemaking traditions. This highly-specific character of the wine is its goût de terroir, loosely translated in English as “taste of the soil”.
Here’s how to order wine like a pro, according to the “world’s best sommelier”.
Bordeaux
Perhaps the best-known wine region in the world, Bordeaux is most celebrated for producing French red wines. It’s home to celebrity grape varieties like Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the area itself is divided into two growing regions – the (more prestigious) Left Bank and the Right Bank. The Left Bank has a moderate climate with rocky, gravelly soil, making it more conducive to growing Cabernet Sauvignon, while the Right Bank has cool clay-rich soil conditions making it suitable for growing the plump juicy berries that Merlot is known for.
Burgundy (Bourgogne)
Charming valleys, gently rolling hills and limestone slopes characterise the quaint wine region of Burgundy (Bourgogne) in Eastern France. The two most iconic grape varietals that grow here are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. In addition to producing delightful reds and whites, the area is also known to collectors for producing a delicious Chablis, a variety of Chardonnay from Northwest Burgundy. Typically, Bourgogne wines are organised into four categories: Grand Cru, Premier Cru, Village wines and Regional wines, with Grand Cru being the top dog of the quality pyramid.
Loire Valley
With rolling valleys, fairytale castles and picture-perfect vineyards that border the river, the magnificent Loire Valley is nothing short of utterly breathtaking, possessing a resplendent medieval beauty that conjures up ancient myths and folklore. The enchanting valley is known for producing some of the world’s most beloved wine varieties – Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadet and Cabernet Franc.
Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley is France’s second-largest wine region after Bordeaux, home to ancient soils and steeply-terraced vineyards in the southeast region of France. The region is best known for its rich red wines with fruity, spicy notes, dominated by Syrah and Grenache grape varietals as well as varieties like Viognier and Mourvèdre.
Explore more with this selection of the world’s most expensive wines.
Champagne
The wine region of Champagne, with its undulating hillsides and stunning historic chateaux, sits on soil that is between 40 to 150 million years old, rich in chalk, marl and limestone. With the region’s rich history and traditions that have shaped the character of France’s favourite bubbly over centuries, parts of the region have also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For Champagne production, the main grape varieties used are Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay prepared via a traditional method called Méthode Champenoise.
What makes French wine so famous?
There are oh-so-many factors that contribute to French wine’s reputation as the Marlon Brando of the wine world. France’s tryst with winemaking traces all the way back to the 6th century BC when the Southern region of Gaul was colonised by Greek settlers. When the land was eventually taken over by the Roman Empire, the Romans retained the winemaking practices of Gaul and increased its production. This rich heritage has yielded fine results, with centuries-old winemaking traditions that have been practised and perfected over time, resulting in rigorous quality-control methods that make for exceptionally good wines.
France adopted the Appellation d’Origine Controllée (AOC) classification system in 1935, a set of rules that oversee the production of French wines ensuring that they follow strict quality guidelines to earn an AOC stamp on the bottle. These guidelines oversee everything from the way vines are planted, to what grapes are permitted for specific appellations (an appellation is a legally defined and protected geographical area where grapes are grown and wine is produced). In addition to this, France is home to exceptionally favourable terroirs that are well suited to winemaking, with diverse climate zones ranging from cooler maritime climates in the north to seductively balmy Mediterranean climates in the south.
Related Stories
How do you choose the right French wine for the right occasion?
Pairing the right wine with the right occasion is much like the game of love – a delicate, high-risk game of matchmaking, where the right partner (the right bottle) can, even if only for the moment, make life seem well worth living. Champagne is the perfect partner in crime for any occasion that warrants a celebration and a touch of glam; the exuberant, rambunctious pop of the cork, the delicate bubbles that go straight to the head and make just about any mundane moment feel worthy of celebrating. If you’re choosing a wine for a dinner party or a large family gathering, go with the usual crowd-pleasers that are versatile enough to fit many tastes – something like a buttery, floral Chardonnay or a light fruity red like a Beaujolais. Let’s say you’re hosting a barbeque outdoors – an aromatic, refreshing glass of Provençal rosé goes down faster than you can say c’est génial, and is the perfect companion to a warm, sun-soaked afternoon outdoors. Or finally, ‘tis the season and you’re throwing a holiday party – consider adding a full-bodied festive red to the holiday table like a voluptuous Pinot Noir or a rich, bold Cabernet Sauvignon.
Best French wines to buy and taste in France
Red wine
Must-try: a Cabernet Sauvignon from Bordeaux
2022 Château Mouton Rothschild Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classé: A blend of 92 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 8 percent Merlot from the historic (and très iconic) wine estate Château Mouton Rothschild in the Médoc region of Bordeaux. This full-bodied red doesn’t come cheap but is well worth its price tag – it rewards patience with unparalleled complexity and depth, with many fabulous layers of sultry violets, liquorice and dark chocolate that slowly unravel on your palate. It’s the perfect partner to a hearty roast lamb or a nice fatty steak.
Price: EUR 788.50 (HKD 6,624) a bottle
White
Must-try: a Chardonnay from Burgundy (Bourgogne)
2021 Domaine Etienne Sauzet Blanc Bourgogne: All the grapes from this exceptional producer are farmed organically and biodynamically, resulting in a wonderfully buttery Chardonnay with subtle hints of summer peach and fresh citrus.
Price: EUR 51.14 (HKD 429) a bottle
Rosé
Must-try: a Rosé from Provence
2019 Domaines Ott Chateau de Selle Côtes de Provence Clair de Noirs Rosé: This majestic rosé is made from Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvédre, and Syrah grapes and tastes like the first day of spring, with delicate floral notes and bright peachy-apricot aromas.
Price: EUR 81.90 (HKD 688) a bottle
Sparkling
Must-try: a Vintage Champagne from Champagne
View this post on Instagram
2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne: If you see a year on the label, you know it’s a Vintage Champagne – meaning simply that the grapes used were all harvested in one single year, as opposed to a blend of grapes harvested from different years (Non-Vintage). This particular bubbly is rich and nutty with notes of almonds, pears and delicately effervescent bubbles that barely linger a moment too long on the palate. It pairs perfectly with seared scallops, shellfish or a sexy fatty fish entrée.
Price: EUR 418.88 (HKD 3,519) a bottle
Related Stories
Must-try: a Crémant from Burgundy
Crémant de Bourgogne Brut AOC Grande Cuvée Veuve Ambal: This vivacious sparkling wine from Burgundy is one of my favourite bubblies, and it’s prepared in much the same way as Champagne using the traditional Méthode Champenoise. The difference, however, is that a bottle of Crémant de Bourgogne is way more affordable, and it uses grapes that are grown just within a 2-hour drive outside the acclaimed Champagne region. Crémant – France’s best kept bubbly secret? Most definitely.
Price: EUR 20.90 (HKD 175) a bottle
Sauternes
Must-try: a Sauternes wine from Bordeaux
2014 Chateau de Fargues: Sauternes wines are expensive, high-quality sweet wines from the Sauternes appellation in Bordeaux. Made from botrytized grapes that have been decayed by ‘noble rot’ or the ‘botrytis’ fungus, they blend three white grape varieties: Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. This particular Sauternes is lusciously sweet with beautiful notes of honeysuckle and dried apricots and pairs perfectly with strong cheese or even briny oysters.
Price: EUR 201.06 (HKD 1,689) a bottle
How to find French wines at reasonable prices
There are a few ways to enjoy the fruit of fine French wine without having to take out a mortgage on your house. The AOC stamp often comes with a significant markup to the price tag – try opting instead for smaller, independent vineyards from a category just below the AOC ranking, like a Vin de Pays (which includes many exquisite country wines that don’t need to follow strict AOC guidelines). Pays d’Oc wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region are also known for being both high-quality and affordable, pairing well with a wide variety of foods. Similarly, in the world of Burgundy wines, try opting for a Premier Cru wine instead of a Grand Cru – they’re much less expensive and often offer a much better value than Grand Cru. You can also opt for Non-Vintage / Multi-Vintage Champagnes which are much more affordable than Vintage Champagnes, which use only the grapes harvested from one single year.
shop the best travel experiences here
(Feature Image Credit: Colin, CC0 1.0 UNIVERSAL Deed, via Wikimedia Commons)
Related: This Honey-Coloured Italian Town Has Cobblestone Streets & An Under-The-Radar Wine Scene
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
We may earn an affiliate commission when you shop through links on our site.
Prices of the products mentioned are subject to change.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
French wines are incredibly diverse, so the best food pairings can vary depending on the region, type of wine, and the body, acidity, and flavour profile of the wine itself. For example, acidic, light-bodied wines like Sauvignon Blanc pair well with charcuterie and light appetisers, while full-bodied Bordeaux reds are the perfect match for steaks and hearty meat roasts. Local specialities and regional ingredients often pair very well with local wines; for example, the black truffles of Burgundy pair excellently with the crisp, fruity notes of the local Burgundy Mercurey wine.
Yes, many French wines are specifically crafted for ageing and collecting due to their high quality, structure, lower pH and unique ability to develop complex flavours over time. Bordeaux reds, Burgundy Pinot Noirs, Rhone Syrahs, Champagne, Alsace Rieslings, Loire Valley Chenin Blancs, and select Burgundy Chardonnays are highly reputed for their ageing potential.
Yes, visiting French wineries for tastings and vineyard tours is a popular activity for anyone interested in wine. It's advised that you check ahead and make appointments, especially for smaller or more exclusive estates, to ensure availability for tastings and tours.
Even if you’re not in France, you can taste French wines by purchasing them from wine shops, specialty stores, online retailers and many restaurants and wine bars.
Yes, there are many affordable French wines available, especially from regions like Languedoc-Roussillon, South West France, and parts of the Loire Valley.
Store French wines in a cool, dark place with controlled temperature and humidity levels, ideally on their sides to keep the corks moist and prevent oxidation. This will also ensure that the wines can age optimally, and the flavours are preserved.
Serve French wines at the temperature that is appropriate for the type of wine: typically, whites and rosés are served chilled around 8-12°C (46-54°F), and reds are served slightly cooler than room temperature, around 15-18°C (59-64°F). Serve each wine in the right glassware, such as tulip-shaped glasses for whites, champagne flutes for Champagne, and Bordeaux or Burgundy glasses for reds, to enhance their aromas and flavour profiles.
There are numerous organic and biodynamic French wines from various regions and producers including Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (Burgundy), Château Pontet-Canet (Bordeaux), Domaine Léon Barral (Languedoc-Roussillon), Château Maris (Languedoc-Roussillon) and Domaine Zind-Humbrecht (Alsace).
A few notable French wine festivals include Bordeaux Wine Festival, Beaujolais Nouveau Festival, Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre and the Burgundy Wine Auction Weekend in Beaune.
A few French wines with unique characteristics include Sauternes, prized for its honey sweetness derived from botrytized grapes, and Champagne, renowned for its delicate bubbles and distinct terroir-driven characteristics.
Written By
Nirupama Belliappa
Nirupama Belliappa is a features journalist and a classical harpist. She has previously worked at NDTV ..Read More
