An Easy Guide to Choosing French Wines
French wine has a reputation for elegance and complexity, but also for confusing labels. Unlike bottles from California or Australia, French wines rarely list the grape variety on the label. Instead, they’re named after the region they come from.
That can feel intimidating, but once you learn a few shortcuts, French wine becomes much easier (and much more fun!) to explore.
At Amica Vina, we love helping women discover French wine firsthand on our group retreats, but here’s a guide you can use right now, whether you’re shopping for a bottle or planning your next trip.
Sauvignon Blanc → Sancerre & Pouilly-Fumé
If you love crisp, zesty Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand or California, look for wines from:
Sancerre (Loire Valley): Bright, citrusy, with refreshing minerality.
Pouilly-Fumé (Loire Valley): Similar to Sancerre but often with a smoky or flinty edge.
✨ Travel tip: The Loire Valley is also known as the “Garden of France”. Picture castles, vineyards, and river picnics.
Chardonnay → Chablis, Burgundy, Champagne
Chardonnay is one of the most versatile grapes, and in France it shows up under many names:
Chablis (Burgundy): Crisp, unoaked, mineral-driven.
White Burgundy (Meursault, Puligny-Montrachet, etc.): Richer, with notes of butter and hazelnut.
Champagne: The sparkling classic. Often blended, but Chardonnay is a key grape.
✨ Pro tip: If you don’t like heavy, oaky Chardonnay, try Chablis.
Pinot Noir → Red Burgundy
For lovers of elegant, lighter reds, Pinot Noir from France is simply labeled as Bourgogne (Burgundy) on the bottle. It’s worth noting that Pinot Noir from Burgundy is often more delicate than its Californian cousins.
Regional Burgundy (“Bourgogne Rouge”): Light, fresh, and approachable.
Village or Premier Cru Burgundy (i.e., Gevrey-Chambertin, Volnay): More complex, with earthy, floral, or cherry notes.
✨ Travel tip: Burgundy is a dream for anyone who loves delicate reds — and strolling through its vineyards feels like stepping into history.
Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot → Bordeaux
Bordeaux is usually a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and sometimes Cabernet Franc:
Left Bank: Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant, structured, and age-worthy.
Right Bank: Softer, plush, Merlot-led.
✨ Travel tip: Bordeaux is not only about wine — the city itself is UNESCO-listed, full of history, markets, and riverside charm.
Gamay → Beaujolais
If you like juicy, fruit-forward reds, Gamay is your grape, and in France, that means Beaujolais.
Beaujolais Nouveau: Fresh, light, and best enjoyed young.
Beaujolais-Villages & Cru Beaujolais (i.e., Morgon, Fleurie): More depth and structure, while still vibrant and playful.
✨ Pro tip: Perfect for a picnic, especially served slightly chilled.
Syrah & Grenache → Rhône Valley
If you like bold reds with spice, the Rhône Valley is your playground:
Northern Rhône (Hermitage, Côte-Rôtie, Crozes-Hermitage): Mostly Syrah - peppery, dark, and smoky.
Southern Rhône (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Côtes du Rhône): Blends led by Grenache, often lush, juicy, and warming.
✨ Pro tip: A Côtes du Rhône is a great entry-level bottle that rarely disappoints.
Rosé → Provence
When in doubt, pick a Provence rosé. Pale pink, dry, and refreshing. It’s the classic French summer wine.
✨ Travel tip: Imagine sipping rosé on a sunny terrace overlooking lavender fields and olive groves.
A Special Case: Alsace Wines
Alsace, in northeastern France, is the big exception to the rule: here, wines are labeled by grape variety, not just region. You’ll see Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Muscat, and Pinot Blanc right on the front of the bottle.
Riesling (dry): Crisp and food-friendly.
Gewurztraminer: Aromatic, floral, and spicy.
✨ Travel tip: Alsace feels like a fairy tale, with colorful villages and vineyards nestled against the Vosges mountains.
Final Thoughts
French wine doesn’t have to be intimidating. Once you know that Sancerre = Sauvignon Blanc, Beaujolais = Gamay, and Chablis = Chardonnay, you can confidently shop, order, or plan a trip around your favorite styles.
