French Wine

French Grape Varieties

French wines are easier to understand than you may think. They're usually just classified by region instead of grape variety.

White

Chardonnay
Look for: Burgundy
Description: Very fruity, creamy citrus and pineapple
Best with: Roast chicken or turkey, poached salmon

Chenin Blanc
Look for: Loire
Description: Appley, sometimes off-dry, honeyed style
Best with: Goose or pork served with fruit sauces, mild cheeses

Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Look for: Alsace
Description: Smooth, fruity, full-bodied, slightly smoky
Best with: Rich pâtés, quiches, full-flavoured Asian dishes

Riesling
Look for: Alsace
Description: Aromatic, dry, crisp apples and lemons
Best with: White fish, seafood, salads, spicy Asian dishes

Sauvignon Blanc
Look for: Loire, Bordeaux
Description: Zesty, fresh lemons and very dry, grassy finish
Best with: Seafood, creamy pasta dishes, goat's cheese

Semillion
Look for: Bordeaux, South West France
Description: Easy-drinking, limes, creamy toasty flavours
Best with: White fish, light chicken dishes

Viognier
Look for: Rhône, South of France
Description: Floral white with a hint of peaches and apricots
Best with: Rich chicken dishes, mild creamy curries

Red

Cabernet Franc
Look for: Loire
Description: Soft and raspberry-ish reds, often served lightly chilled
Best with: Cold meats and salads, classic steaks

Cabernet Sauvignon
Look for: Bordeaux, South West France
Best with: Roast red meats, mature hard cheeses
Description: Rich, blackcurrant-loaded reds

Gamay
Look for: Beaujolais, Loire
Description: Juicy, smooth, fruity reds
Best with: Smooth chicken pâtés, cold ham, meaty pizzas

Grenache
Look for: Southern Rhône, South of France
Description: Gutsy, ripe, red-berry flavoured reds
Best with: Rich meat stews, roast garlicky vegetables

Merlot
Look for: Bordeaux, South West France
Description: Generously plummy, medium-bodied reds
Best with: Roast poultry, peppered steak, rich tomato sauces or pork chops

Pinot Noir
Look for: Burgundy, Alsace
Description: Silky-smooth, strawberryish reds with a hint of white pepper
Best with: Creamy cheeses, beef stews, poached salmon

Syrah/Shiraz
Look for: Rhône, South of France
Description: Powerful, hearty reds with a peppery hint
Best with: Peppery steaks and stews, rich cheeses

Grape pronunciations

Cabernet sauvignon cab-er-nay soveen-yon

Cabernet franc cab-er-nay frong

Grenache gren-ash

Merlot mer-loh

Pinot noir pee-no nwah

Chenin blanc shh-nan blong

Pinot gris pee-no gree

Riesling rees-ling

Sauvignon blanc so-veen-yon blong

Semillon semi-yon

Viognier vee-on-yay

Glossary of french wine terms

Appellation controlee (ac) - quality category of french wines, with strict regulations about production

Brut - dry (sparkling wine and Champagne)

Mis en bouteille par - bottled by

Blanc - white

Rouge - red

Cépage - grape variety

Demi-sec/sec - medium dry/dry

Doux/moelleux - sweet

Supérieur - extra ½-1% alcohol by volume

Article courtesy of French Wines