How to Choose a French Wine

A sip of wine is one of the most pleasing substances your palate can experience. Either by itself or paired with certain dishes, French wine in particular is often just what the taste buds ordered. Many of us tend to become intimidated when faced with the task of choosing a French red wine or a French white wine. We probably have all found ourselves staring into an endless row of fine French wines, palms sweating and utterly perplexed by the flavors and French wine regions on the French wine labels. Read on so that upon the next trip to the wine shop you will coolly reach for a perfectly savory French wine bottle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Consider the occasion upon which you will be enjoying your bottle of French wine. Whether throwing a dinner party, relaxing over a light meal with a few friends or celebrating a particular event, you’ll need to think carefully about setting the mood with the right French wine. When a mix of people are present, choose a classic pick such as a supple, soft and aromatic French wine from the Bordeaux region or a dry, lively and intense Riesling wine from the Alsace region. For a special fête why not choose a dry, soft and intense Champagne.

2. When pairing French wine and food, consider the dish you will be serving. Lighter dishes such as salads, fish and seafood are nicely paired with a dry French wine—perhaps a Côtes du Rhône or a Mâcon-Villages. Heavier dishes such as roasted beef or thick pasta call for a supple, firm wine, perhaps a Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune.

3. Think about the three factors that make up a French wine’s flavor now that you have pinpointed the occasion and/or the dish you intend to prepare. The flavor of a fine French wine varies a great deal, hence the complexity in pairing a French wine bottle with a meal at an event. French red wine flavor depends upon the content of Tannins, which render the wine light, supple or robust; the body of the wine which can be described as firm, soft or fleshy; and finally the power of the wine which ranges from delicate to aromatic to intense. French white wine flavor also depends upon the body and power, but rather than the content of Tannins, the amount of sugar determines whether the wine is dry, off-dry or sweet.

4. Sample the French wine. Go to your local wine store for a French wine tasting. Or bring a few sample bottles home to taste the French red wine or French white wine in the comfort of your kitchen. Be sure to use sight, smell and taste when going about choosing the best French wine for your future event or meal. A wine’s balance and complexity are discerned by your eyes, nose and palate. Once you have evaluated the color, brought the glass close to your nose to take in the aroma and rolled the wine around on your tongue to determine its acidity and structure, you are ready to make a informed judgment! If you enjoy the wine’s overall flavor and mood, cheers and à votre santé!

Tips & Warnings

• Check out the French wine label to determine the contents of the bottle and the quality you can anticipate.
• Each time you choose a French wine bottle, make note of the appellation name or geographic area in which the wine was produced and the variety of grape used to steadily build up your French wine expertise.