Beginner’s Guide to French Wine: Everything You Need to Know
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Similar to cheese and baguette, wine is a major part of French culture. It’s unsurprising then that France is one of the largest wine producers in the world and one of the top global consumers of the iconic drink.
Although the French aren’t afraid to break the rules, there are some dos and don’ts for drinking wine that they tend to follow. This beginner’s guide to French wine discusses these wine etiquette rules to help you fully appreciate French wine like a local.
The specific terminology, confusing abbreviations, and endless varieties of French wine might seem intimidating to the average person. This beginner’s guide to French wine will also help you understand the basics of wine, the various types of French wine and how to taste them.
What is Wine?
Wine is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting the juice of grapes. During fermentation, the natural sugars in the grape juice are converted into alcohol with the help of yeasts. Yeasts consume sugar and produce alcohol.
“Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been brought to the greatest perfection, and it offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than, possibly, any other purely sensory thing.”
- Ernest Hemingway
History of Wine in France
It is likely that between 100-300 AD the Greeks and Romans introduced vines to what is now modern-day France. Around the 5th century, the Catholic Church began to manage vineyards and produce wines, used predominantly for the Holy Sacrament. Through the centuries French vineyards continued to develop along with foreign trade. During the 19th century, France’s wine industry suffered due to a small North American insect called phylloxera that destroyed the roots of vines.
In 1855, Emperor Napoleon III requested the development of a classification system to identify the best wines in Bordeaux for the Exposition Universelle de Paris. The first through fifth crus (growths) is still in place today. When prestigious French wines began to decrease in quality and availability during the 1900s after France suffered economically under two world wars, the A.O.C. (or Appellation d’Origine Controlee) was introduced.
Nowadays almost every region of France produces wine except for some far northern regions. Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne, the Loire Valley, and the Rhone Valley are some of the best wine regions.
The A.O.C.
The A.O.C. is a government-controlled and prescribed designation of origin intended to protect the characteristics of each region’s wine and food as well as maintain their quality. Wine is labeled by where it is from, not its grape variety by identifying its terroir — climate, soil type, typography and other influences. For example, Champagne can only be called Champagne, if it’s grown in the region of Champagne. In France over 300 wines and 40 cheeses can use the A.O.C. label, which is seen as an indication of quality.
Although the 1855 classification was mentioned above, there are several classification systems for different wine varieties. In addition to the A.O.C. label, there might also be grand cru, premier cru, cru classé, or cru bourgeois labels, which indicate a higher quality wine based on soil, grape quality, climate, and other factors. They differ from region to region but always indicate superior quality (and generally a higher price).
Notable French Wine Regions
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a name synonymous with red wine excellence, including Cabernet Sauvignon (red), Merlot (red), and Cabernet Franc (red). This French wine region is divided into the Left Bank and Right Bank, each offering a distinctive character. On the Left Bank, you’ll find the Médoc wine region and its best-known appellations: St-Estèphe, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux. Cabernet Sauvignon plays a dominant role. Crossing to the Right Bank, wines are mostly Merlot-based in the lush vineyards of Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.
Burgundy
Stretching from Dijon to Mâcon, Burgundy (or “Bourgogne” in French) is celebrated for producing some of the world's most sought-after Pinot Noir (red) and Chardonnay (white). In the heartland of Burgundy is Côte d'Or, where you’ll find some of the best vineyards of the region. It’s divided into two parts: in the north is Côte de Nuits where more full-bodied Pinot Noirs are produced, and in the south is Côte de Beaune where some of the best dry white wines from Chardonnay are made.
Champagne
If you've ever been corrected about mistakenly labeling any bubbly as "champagne," then you’ll know that Champagne exclusively hails from the Champagne region in France. From the renowned houses of Moët & Chandon to the boutique grower-producers, Champagne offers the world's most celebrated sparkling wine. The three primary grapes of Champagne are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
Loire Valley
The Loire Valley, known as the "Garden of France," is a large wine-producing region that follows the longest river in France, the Loire River. As a cool-climate area, the Loire offers a refreshing array of white wines including Sauvignon Blanc (white) and Chenin Blanc (white). Some of the best Loire reds are produced in the famous appellations of Chinon and Bourgueil.
Rhône Valley
The Rhône Valley, basking in the southern French sun, is known for its red and rosé wines made primarily from Grenache (red), Syrah (red), and Mourvèdre (red). In northern Rhône, explore renowned appellations like Côte Rôtie and Hermitage. In southern Rhône, you’ll find the most famous of the A.O.C.’s of the Rhône Valley wine region, Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Wines from these vineyards are characterized by robust alcohol content, rich flavors, and deep hues.
Wine Tasting Techniques
Wine tasting is about focusing on your senses: sight, smell, and taste. Most people can identify around 2000 different scents, but our mouths are only capable of four tastes — sweet, sour, bitter and salty. Therefore, it is important to smell the wine and to swish it around in your mouth for several seconds to properly taste it (which is mostly smelling it in actuality).
A Wine’s Structure
Tannin. Bitterness and astringency that comes from grape skins and seeds. Tannin adds a pleasant texture when not too high (grippy) although each person has their own preferences.
Acidity. Acid is present in all wines in varying levels, generally higher in whites and adds a refreshing aspect to the wine, but can be unpleasant if too high. Acid causes you to salivate which is great when enjoying wine with food.
Alcohol. Alcohol is present in all wines varying from 3% up to 20% in fortified wines. Most French wines are between 12%-14.5%. When it’s too high alcohol causes the burning sensation in the back of your throat and can cause the wine to seem out of balance.
Sweetness. Sugars and alcohol enhance a wine's sweetness; acids (sourness) and bitter tannins counteract it. The first impression of a wine is its level of sweetness. Focus on the taste buds on the tip of your tongue to taste sweetness.
Wine Service & Etiquette
How to Open a Wine Bottle
Cut the capsule below the lip of the bottle with the foil cutter, then cut upward and remove the foil.
Position the screw in the center of the cork and twist until the corkscrew is fully inserted in the cork.
With a wine key, bend the lever arm down toward the lip of the wine bottle, then pull up the handle to lift the cork out of the bottle. With a winged corkscrew, press down on the wings of the opener to lift the cork out of the bottle.
Tips for Serving Wine
Hold the bottle by its base and not the neck.
Never fill a glass of any size more than 1/3 full.
Hold the glass by the stem to avoid heating the wine with your hands.
In France, it’s customary for men to serve woman or their guests wine, rather than helping themselves.
Serving Temperature Guidelines
Sweet/sparkling wines. Well chilled (–6º-8ºC or 43º-46ºF)
Light-bodied white wines (Muscadet, Sauvignon Blanc). Chilled (10ºC or 50ºF)
Medium/full-bodied white wines (white Burgundy, white Bordeaux). Lightly chilled (–12ºC or 55ºF)
Light-bodied red wines (Beaujolais, Loire reds). Lightly chilled (14ºC or 58ºF)
Medium/full-bodied red wines (red Burgundy/Bordeaux), Côtes du Rhone). Room-temperature (17º-18ºC or 65ºF). Note that this is lower than the actual temperature in the room.
Storing Wine
Store your unopened wine bottles on their sides with wine constantly in contact with the cork. This will maintain moisture within the cork and reduce the risk of “corked” wine — a wine that has been damaged by a cork containing fungus. Keep your wine away from windows or other sources of natural light. Avoid storing your wine in your kitchen fridge long term. It is usually too cold for wine and dries out the wine’s cork. Wine that is not finished should be stoppered and placed into the refrigerator, whether red or white (red then returned to room temperature before drinking). Opened wine can be kept for up to 48 hours.
French Wine & Culinary Traditions
Food and wine are always served together, except for the apéritif — the word which comes from Latin, to mean “open”. This is usually 1 glass of dry white wine or champagne that is served before the meal.
A digestif is a stronger alcohol served after a meal with coffee to help with digestion. Typical digestifs include cognac, Armagnac and calvados.
At a typical French dinner, each course is accompanied by a different wine, in ascending order of body and flavor. Normally, you start with a light-bodied, dry wine with appetizers and then continue with a fruity, light-bodied red with the main or a heavier red, depending on the dish. You can serve a white after red if it is a sweet white.
Read More: A Day in the Life of an American in France
How to Host a French Wine Tasting at Home
Now that you know more about French wine, why not put your knowledge to the test with an at-home wine tasting? Sampling wines from different French regions is an excellent way to familiarize yourself with each area’s unique flavors. Here's a step-by-step guide to curating your own French wine tasting experience, even if you can’t travel to France’s vineyards.
Read More: How to Host a French Dinner Party
1. Curate Your Wine Selection
Start by choosing a “theme” for your French wine tasting. It could be a specific region, grape variety, or even a vertical tasting of different vintages from the same producer.
If this is your first wine tasting, I’d recommend trying a larger diversity of the most notable French wines to get a good overview of French wine. Include a variety of reds, whites, and perhaps a rosé or sparkling wine for a diverse tasting experience. Consider wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône Valley, and other iconic regions.
2. Gather Tasting Tools
Assemble the essential tools for a proper tasting, including wine glasses, a spittoon (for optional spitting) and a corkscrew. Having a wine aroma wheel can also enhance your ability to identify different scents. There are many more wine tasting tools that can help improve the experience, but beginners can focus on these essentials.
It’s also a good idea to prepare tasting cards or sheets that include information about each wine, such as the region, grape variety, and any notable characteristics. This helps you learn more about each wine as you progress through the tasting.
3. Serve at the Right Temperature
Ensure your wines are served at the optimal temperature. Whites and rosés are generally best served chilled, while reds benefit from being slightly below room temperature. Refer to my tips above for more serving temperature guidelines. Use an ice bucket for whites and rosés if needed.
4. Follow the Tasting Sequence
Adhere to the traditional wine tasting sequence: start with whites, move on to reds, and finish with any sparkling or dessert wines. Swirl, sniff, sip, and savor each wine, taking note of their impressions
5. Pair with French Delicacies
Elevate your tasting experience by pairing the wines with classic French delicacies. Consider a cheese platter with varieties like Brie, Camembert, and Roquefort, along with baguettes, charcuterie, and olives. Here are some delicious French cheese and wine pairings:
Champagne + Brie
Sauternes + Roquefort
Chardonnay + Comté
Sauvignon Blanc + Goat Cheese
Pinot Noir + Époisses
Chenin Blanc + Camembert
Beaujolais + Tomme de Savoie
Syrah + Morbier
6. Sip, Savor and Share
Remember to savor each sip throughout the tasting and fully enjoy the moment with your guests. Share your thoughts on each wine, discuss flavor profiles, and explore how the wines evolve with aeration. Make a mental note of your preferred wines and varieties, so that you can continue to enjoy them in the future or explore more options from the same grape or region.
I hope this introduction to French Wine 101 has inspired you to discover the flavors of French wine. It may seem overwhelming initially; even after 5 years in France, my wine knowledge is a work in progress. But the more you taste, the more you’ll deepen your understanding of wine and refine your personal preferences. Santé!
Which French wine region or grape variety is your favorite? Which one are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below.
