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. Tasting a selection of affordable French wines—both rosé and red wines—from the same producers is a fun way to learn more about French wine regions. In addition, each pairing highlighted the same grape varietal, providing a unique look at how the varietal presents itself as both a rosé and a red wine.
All of the wines were priced under $35, and most 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
The Loire Valley has lush valleys and centuries-old winemaking traditions. We tasted four exceptional wines from the Loire—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. Therefore, it’s a good option when looking for a vibrant apéritif.
The Sancerre was tasted alongside the Domaine de Reuilly Rouge ($26), also 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. Hopefully, we’ll see more coming from this region in the future.
Next, we tried two Cabernet Franc wines from the Loire Valley. Éric Chevalier’s Val de Loire Rosé “Sans Prise De Tête” ($20) is a blend of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Despite its name being an homage to life’s carefree moments, it offered surprising complexity.
Complementing this rosé, Bernard Baudry’s Chinon “Domaine” ($29) 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.
Rosé and Red Wines from Corsica
From the island of Corsica, we explored two wines that captured the essence of its rugged Mediterranean landscape. Domaine Giacometti’s Patrimonio Rosé “Cru des Agriate” ($25) had 75% Niellucciu and 25% Sciaccarellu grapes, creating 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.
Rosé and Red 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.
The Domaine de Durban’s Beaumes-de-Venise ($23) red wine 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
Finding a local wine store that can help curate a good selection of wines can simplify the process. For example, the staff at our local shops, Kermit Lynch, eagerly offered ideas to bring our tasting idea to life. Many shops offering shipping as well—a great option if you have time to plan ahead.
Not only did our tasting provided an opportunity to try wines from different regions in France, but it offered a look at a range of viticulture practices and traditions. Sampling both rosé and red wines from the same producer allowed us to explore unique flavors from across France while immersing ourselves in the stories behind each winery. Give this theme a try out at your next wine tasting party.
