The Best French Red Wines

Need help to pick out the best French red wines for your next meal? If you know a little about wine but don’t know much about what to choose, you’re in the right place.

An excellent French red will be a great accompaniment to a meal and enhance it. Here’s a breakdown of all you need to know to make the perfect choice.

What Makes a Great French Red Wine?

French red wines are produced in various styles, from light and fruity to full-bodied and robust. The best French red wine will have a good balance of acidity, tannins, and body. It should also have moderate to high concentration levels, complexity, and finesse.

However, the most crucial factor when choosing a French red wine is understanding the specific characteristics of the grape(s) used to produce it. Different grape varieties have their unique features, which can vary between regions.

The choice between red and white is essentially a matter of personal preference. While some prefer a red's heavier body and tannin structure, others enjoy white for its lighter flavor. Experimenting with various styles is the best way to find out what you like.

Grapes Used to Make French Red Wines

The best French red wines are often made with one or more grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Grenache, Malbec, Mourvedre, Carignan, Cinsault, and Gamay.

Cabernet Sauvignon is the most popular and widely grown red wine grape. Characteristics include high tannin and acidity, medium-to-full body and dark fruits, cassis and spice flavors. It is most commonly blended with Merlot, which adds complexity and structure.

Merlot has more mellow tannins and less acidity than Cabernet Sauvignon. The flavors are predominately black cherry and cassis, and it has a soft, supple mouthfeel. The lack of astringency makes it an excellent food-pairing grape.

Pinot Noir is a complex and highly prized grape, most famously made in Burgundy. It is characterized by red and black cherry flavors and aromas, and its unique characteristics come from the fact that it is thin-skinned and requires an extended growing season.

Syrah has dark, rich flavors of ripe fruit, spices, and herbs and may have a hint of smokiness. It is often aged in barrels and delivers well-integrated tannins.

Grenache is an aromatic and robust grape, often used in blends but crafted into powerful single-varietal wines. It has fruity flavors of raspberry and strawberries.

Malbec and Mourvedre are big and bold with intense dark fruit and earthy flavors. Carignan and Cinsault are lighter and more floral, with high acidity and berry notes. Gamay has a more lightweight body and aromas of cherries and violets.

French Red Wine Regions

When choosing the best French red wines, it’s also essential to consider the region it comes from. France is home to many wine-producing regions, which boast unique characteristics depending on the terroir (climate, soil, geography, etc.).

The two most famous French red wine regions are Bordeaux and Burgundy. Bordeaux is famous for its extensive, structured red wines, while Burgundy is renowned for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay whites.

The Rhone region produces some of the most flavorful and aromatic Syrah and Grenache. The Loire Valley has various grapes, including Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc. The southern part of Languedoc-Roussillon has a rich history of producing robust reds with ripe fruit and generous tannins.

Best French Red Wines

Now let’s look at the best French red wines you can find. Here are some of our favorites:

• Chateau Margaux: This legendary Bordeaux winery produces a perfectly balanced, complex Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend that features aromas and flavors of blackcurrant and cedar and an exquisitely long finish.

• Chateau Montrose: This Bordeaux blend has intense blackcurrant and plum flavors framed by firm tannins.

• Chateau Haut-Brion: This elegant Bordeaux blend offers up complex aromas of cassis, currant, and spice that are beautifully balanced.

• Puligny-Montrachet: This Burgundy white is one of the best wines in France. It has a deep golden color and aromas of apple and honey.

• Chateauneuf-du-Pape: This Rhone red is an elegant blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. The aromas and flavors recall ripe dark fruits, spices, and earthy nuances.

• Saint Joseph: This northern Rhone red is full-bodied and intense with wild berries, dark plums, and pepper flavors.

• Cotes du Rhone Villages: This classic Syrah and Grenache blend offers ripe dark fruit flavors and subtle tannins.

• Chablis: This iconic Chardonnay from the Burgundy region has intense minerality and a hint of citrus.

Wine Pairings

When pairing food and wine, it’s essential to consider the wine’s flavor profile. For example, a light French red will pair well with lighter dishes such as grilled fish or salads. An intense, full-bodied wine like Chateauneuf-du-Pape will pair better with heavier meats such as steak and game.

You can also consider the wine’s tannin structure, as tannins will help to cut through the richness of fatty dishes. Finally, consider the acidity level, as a wine with higher acidity will help to balance out an acidic food.

Tips for Choosing the Best French Red Wines

Now that you have a better understanding of the styles of French red wines available, here are some tips for making the best choice:

• Educate yourself. Read up on the differing styles of French red and white wines. Talk to wine experts and seek advice from sommeliers.

• Consider the style of food you’re pairing. The type of food you’re pairing your wine with can make a massive difference to your choice of wine.

• Consider personal preference. If you’re unsure which wines to choose, choose based on personal preference.

• Always buy from a reputable dealer. You can choose a dealer who will offer advice and help ensure you get the perfect bottle of wine.

Conclusion

There is no better way to enhance your meal than with a fabulous French red wine. Whether you’re looking for a light, fruity, varietal, full-bodied, and robust offering, you can’t go wrong with quality French reds. The key is understanding the characteristics of the different grapes and styles and finding the one that best complements your food. With some research and patience, you’ll find the best French red wine for your next gathering!