The French Way of Wine
French wines are revered in the global wine scene thanks to the country’s deep-rooted wine culture and diverse terroirs. At a recent tasting, we tasted a selection of affordable French wines — both rosés and their red wine counterparts. All were priced under $35. In fact, most were under $30. This exploration took us through regions including the Loire Valley, Corsica, and Rhône Valley. Each area offered a unique perspective thanks to differences in soil types, varietals, and wine-making traditions. Read on to discover affordable French wines that you can enjoy any time of year.
Rosé and Red Wines from the Loire Valley
In the lush valleys of Loire, the tradition of wine-making stretches back centuries. Here, we tasted four exceptional wines—two rosés and two reds—showcasing the region’s mastery.
Domaine Roger Neveu’s Sancerre Rosé “Le Colombier” ($31) stood out with its floral and mineral profile, made entirely from Pinot Noir. This wine was a wonderful reflection of the Kimmeridgian limestone soils. A good option when looking for a vibrant apéritif.
The Sancerre was tasted alongside the Domaine de Reuilly Rouge ($26), which, similar to Burgundy, is made from Pinot Noir, but with its own nuances. With an ethereal quality, it’s a fantastic wine to serve alongside traditional French bistro dishes. After being wiped out by Phylloxera, the Reuilly appellation is having a renaissance and I hope to see more coming from this region.
Next up from the Loire Valley are two Cabernet Franc-focused wines. Éric Chevalier’s Val de Loire Rosé “Sans Prise De Tête” ($20) is a blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Its name is an homage to life’s carefree moments, yet it offered surprising complexity.
Complementing this rosé, Bernard Baudry’s Chinon “Domaine” ($29) from Cabernet Franc showed freshness and a streak of minerality, characteristic of Baudry’s traditionalist approach and the clay and limestone soils on which the grapes are grown.
Discovering Wines from Corsica
From the island of Corsica, we ventured into a pair of wines that spoke of their rugged, Mediterranean landscape. Domaine Giacometti’s Patrimonio Rosé “Cru des Agriate” ($25) used 75% Niellucciu and 25% Sciaccarellu grapes to create a wine that is full of regional character.
Its counterpart, the Patrimonio Rouge “Cru des Agriate” ($26), was a blend dominated by Niellucciu, which offered, dark, rich and rustic character.
A Look at Wines from the Rhône Valley
Moving on to the Rhône Valley, we tried Les Pallières Gigondas Rosé “Au Petit Bonheur” ($29), a blend of Grenache, Clairette, and Cinsault. This wine balanced delicacy with the complex flavors typical of Rhône.
For the red, Domaine de Durban’s Beaumes-de-Venise ($23) was a favorite. With 70% Grenache, this wine showcased the full-bodied and spiciness often found in Rhône wines. The price point makes this one not to miss.
Final Thoughts
We went to an excellent local wine shop—Kermit Lynch—to help curate our wines. If you don’t have a store nearby with a good selection of imports, there are excellent online options, which of course require you to plan ahead. Since we were able to find a nice selection, our tasting gave a wide look at French viticulture and its regional diversity, traditions, and at times, exceptional value. By sampling both rosés and their red counterparts, we not only enjoyed the unique flavors of the Loire Valley, Corsica, and the Rhône Valley, but also connected with the stories behind each vineyard and winemaker. This is a great theme to try out at your next wine tasting party.
